Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT)

Our BS in Recreation Management (Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation) is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT is, in turn, accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

BS in Recreation Management (Parks and Outdoor Recreation; Therapeutic Recreation)

The nationally-accredited BS in Recreation Management at George Mason University provides students with the framework necessary for professional development, career advancement, and graduate education through a combination of rewarding learning and practical experiences. Students interested in the field can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management (Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation). Students are exposed to the various facets of this dynamic and rapidly growing field. Our graduates are prepared to make a real difference - informing policy, promoting economic development, advocating stewardship of natural resources, encouraging inclusive community service and lifelong recreation participation, and working to enhance the quality of life of all individuals, families, and communities at the local, national, and international levels.

COAPRT Standard 2.05:05 requires reporting of aggregated results of learning outcomes assessment. Results for the recent academic year (2021-2022) follow:

Graduation Rate

76% 6-year graduation rate

Competencies

7.01: Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.

Students graduating from the BS in Recreation Management shall demonstrate an ability to develop and articulate their personal philosophy of leisure and a broad awareness of the profession and associated industries.

Students are required to complete an Activity Participation and Economic Log, entailing the monitoring and analysis of personal recreation and leisure activities and their expenses. Additionally, they are required to write a paper (with citations) documenting their personal philosophy of leisure, perspectives on participation and spending, and the relationship of these findings to the development of the profession and associated industries.

In academic year 2021-2022, 85% of the Recreation Management students earned at least a "3-Competent" or better on each 7.01-aligned rubric indicator.

7.02: Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.

Students graduating from the Recreation Management BS shall complete and present (orally and in writing) a Program Plan that can be implemented and evaluated in future courses (including the internship).

Students are required to develop the Program Plan comprising mission; program description; goals and objectives; operational criteria (e.g., accommodations; equipment/supplies; promotional website; staffing, venue, and activity plans); and evaluation tools to demonstrate the ability to design and implement services.

In academic year 2021-2022, 100% of the Recreation Management students earned a "4-Outstanding" on each 7.02-aligned rubric indicator.

7.03: Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/ administration in parks, recreation, tourism, and/or related professions.

Students graduating from the Recreation Management BS shall demonstrate an ability to identify legal principles and rules of law governing federal civil rights law and their applicability to the discipline.

Students are required to complete four exams testing their understanding of liability issues. There is no comprehensive exam in the course, rather each covers an array of legal principles and rules of law. Exam #1 assesses knowledge of control test and negligence principles; standard care in negligence liability; and landowner and trespasser liability. Exam #2 assesses knowledge of sports coach liability; post-injury procedures liability; sports spectator liability; and sport participant liability and assumptions of risk; Exam #4 assesses knowledge of liability releases and waiver agreements; agency liability for sexual misconduct; supervision liability; and gender discrimination.

In academic year 2021-2022, the class average (mean) across Exams 1 – 4 for Recreation Management students was 69%. This did not meet the program standard. The course is currently being reevaluated and revised in terms of key content, relevance to a broader population of SRTM students, assessment methods, and delivery mode, as well as the need for better scaffolding/supports for students. We currently collect data on two other meaningful measures for Standard 7.03: Based on curricular revisions, one of these will serve, moving forward, as the reported measure.

7.04: Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours and no fewer than 10 weeks, the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism, or related organizations.

In their final year, students complete their capstone internship (including all required course meetings, a Special Project, portfolio, and synthesis presentation). All students are required to give a final presentation to a panel of faculty and students providing an overview of the internship agency, services, personnel, supervision; their specific internship responsibilities; challenges faced during their internship; their special project; and what they have learned from the internship experience (specifically, how their past experiences and coursework have enhanced their internship and all aspects of their work, and how the internship will, in turn, influence their future career directions).

In academic year 2021-2022, 100% of the Recreation Management students scored "competent" or better on all evaluative components of their PRLS 490 Final Presentation.

CHEA requires accredited institutions to inform the public about "degree and accreditation mills." Cautions concerning these are summarized on the CHEA website.

Degree mills and accreditation mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education. "Accreditation" from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of an institution or program. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a useable credential.

Program Annual COAPRT Reports

To view Mason’s full, most recent, annual report submissions to COAPRT, please visit the following websites: