Recreation and Sport Studies Comprehensive, B.S.

Shepherd University offers a comprehensive major in recreation and sport studies that prepares students for a variety of recreation, sport, and leisure careers. In addition to the required core courses of study, each student is required to select at least one of the following concentrations:

Interscholastic Athletic Administration and Coaching (was Athletic Coaching and Officiating)

The concentration in Interscholastic Athletic Administration and Coaching is designed to develop and enhance competencies necessary for coaching of athletics in a public school setting or in higher education, administration of athletic programs at a secondary or higher education level, and management in a community or professional sport organization. The program represents a blend of content related to the art of coaching and administration of athletics.

Public Recreation and Park Administration (was Commercial Recreation/Tourism)

This concentration prepares students for careers in travel, tourism, entertainment, hotel/resort/spa industry, convention and visitor’s bureaus, gaming, and many private recreation endeavors.  The Public Recreation and Park Administration concentration offers an outstanding exploratory program for students to learn more about aspects of recreation, park management, and administration studies.  This concentration allows students from a variety of backgrounds and interest levels to experience new and challenging endeavors.

Sport Communication

This concentration prepares students for careers in sport broadcasting, sport reporting, free-lance sport writing, sport promotions/marketing, sport fund raising, sport information, and public relations.

Sport and Event Management

This concentration prepares students for management positions in a variety of settings including professional and semiprofessional sports, sport and recreation organizations, YMCAs, and public recreation and parks in such areas as ticket operations, stadium or facilities management, event coordination, marketing, community relations, corporate and group sales, and recreation supervision.

Sports Marketing

This concentration is designed to give students a broad background in marketing and sport-related marketing in addition to a strong foundation in recreation and sport.

Therapeutic Recreation

This concentration prepares students for the NCTRC exam, which certifies individuals as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS). Certified therapeutic recreation majors are employed by hospitals, nursing homes, health care agencies, alternative schools, group homes, camps, and other settings dealing with handicapped, disabled, and impaired individuals.

Tourism, Hospitality, and Entrepreneurship

This concentration is designed to prepare students for sustainable careers in Tourism, Hospitality, and Entrepreneurship with a business emphasis complementing the areas of entertainment, tourism administration and management, and international travel and tourism concepts. The concentration is also designed to expand the student knowledge base of local, regional, and national tourism and hospitality opportunities using a variety of business concepts to help assure the ongoing success of the opportunity.

Out‑of‑Class and Progression Requirements for Recreation and Sport Studies Majors

The following requirements must be met for graduation:

1. It is REQUIRED that each major be an active member of an approved state or national organization in his or her specialization during the academic years while pursuing this major;
2. It is REQUIRED that all recreation majors attend two or more state and/or national conferences in their concentration during the academic years while pursuing this major.
3. It is REQUIRED that each student develop a portfolio of their academic work beginning with their freshman year. Portfolio is to be completed by the student during their senior year.
4. It is REQUIRED that each student earn a minimum of C in each recreation and sport studies core and concentration class.
5. It is REQUIRED that each student successfully complete and pass a First Aid/CPR Certification course while pursuing this major.

 

Recreation and Sport Studies Program Learning Outcomes:

1. 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.
    
2. 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.
    
3. 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.
    
4. 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.