Recreation Management

Recreation Management and Recreation Management/Outdoor
(132–133 semester hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Springfield College has been preparing recreation and leisure professionals for almost fifty years, recognizing the contribution which recreation experiences make to the quality of life. Leadership, management, and program skills are the focus of the curriculum, which is accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association. Recreation management majors must select a track in outdoor recreation or general recreation management.

Recreation management is an accredited professional program that prepares students for leadership positions in recreation programming, program design, personnel management, and basic research. Graduates of this program are employed professionally throughout the world in outdoor recreation centers, the travel business, the National Park Service, resorts, the adventure trip industry, armed forces recreation programs, campus recreation, corporate recreation services, municipal recreation, and YMCAs. The program aims to impart an understanding of the following:

Recreation management and leadership practices in the context of human-helping professions.
Experiential learning concepts that enhance skills in management, programming, and group dynamics.
Current management applications, such as total quality management, team and project approaches, strategic planning, entrepreneurial strategies, the development of learning organizations, and active listening.

Springfield College also manages an outdoor education center, located on the East Campus. Students learn in an urban wilderness setting, testing formulas for spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth. Students may also elect to attend training sessions promoted by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound. Limited college credit for NOLS, study abroad, or outdoor expeditions may be arranged to supplement the student’s academic program and professional development.

For more information about the recreation management major, contact Dr. Matthew J. Pantera, chairperson of the Sport Management and Recreation Department, at (413) 748-3693 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Recreation Management Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (30-34 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Departmental Core Requirements (55 s.h.)

HPER 475 - Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
HPER 478 - Budgeting for Sport and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
HPER 479 - Personnel and Human Resources Management Credits: 3 s.h
MOSK 101* - Outdoor Pursuits Credits: 1 s.h
SMRT 103 - Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 106 - Dynamics of Leadership Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 116 - Event Management and Promotions Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 272* - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 348 - Management of Leisure Services Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 350W - Public Relations Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 361 - Facility Design, Operations and Maintenance Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 384 - Practicum Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 405W - History and Philosophy of Leisure and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 426 - Management of Natural Resources Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 482 - Undergraduate Seminar in Sport and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 485 - Undergraduate Internship Credits: 12 s.h

III. Related Core Requirements (27 s.h.)

For Recreation Management concentration only.

ECON 200* - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 s.h
ECON 205* - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3 s.h
ECON 350 - Economics of Sports Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 121 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 150W - Introduction to Business Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 210 - Principles of Accounting I Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 211 - Principles of Accounting II Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 215 - Principles of Management Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 360 - Statistics for Business and Economics Credits: 3 s.h

IV. Concentration Requirements

Students must select one of the concentrations described below.

A. Recreation Management Major (Total 14 s.h.)

HIST 102* - The Making of the Modern World Credits: 3 s.h
PEAC 205* - Lifeguard Training (ARC) Credits: 1 s.h
PEAC 206* - Water Safety Instructor Credits: 1 s.h
SMRT 304 - Marketing Issues in Sport and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 480 - Resort and Commercial Recreation Credits: 3 s.h

Selectives (Choose 1)

Select 3 credits, in consultation with the advisor, from the following list of selectives:

HIST 365 - Environmental History of America Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 101 - Introduction to Sport Management Credits: 1 s.h
SMRT 204 - Outdoor Leadership Credits: 6 s.h
SMRT 253 - Processes and Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 255 - Introduction to Outdoor Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 275 - Adventure Education Theory and Practice Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 281* - Leisure Services for Persons with Disabilities Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 378 - Customer Service Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 411 - Community Based Therapeutic Recreation Service Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 417 - Research in Sport and Recreation Credits: 3 s.h.
SMRT 419 - Camp Programming and Administration Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 420 - Introduction to Sport Governance Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 430 - Leisure Counseling Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 433 - Hospitality and Food Service Management Credits: 3 s.h.
SMRT 435 - Program Planning Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 470 - Therapeutic Recreation for the Older Adult and Persons with Chronic Illness Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 473 - Therapeutic Recreation Programming for Persons with Disabilities Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 474 - Child Life Concepts and Theories in Working with the Hospitalized Child Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 476 - Child Life Clinical Issues and Techniques Credits: 3 s.h.
SMRT 481 - Problem Solving Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 498 - Golf Course Management Credits: 3 s.h.
SOCI 133W - The YMCA Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 415W - Proposal Writing and Fundraising Credits: 3 s.h

B. Outdoor Recreation Concentration (47 s.h.)

The outdoor recreation concentration prepares students for professional employment as outdoor leaders in recreation agencies and areas including:

Appalachian Mountain Club
National Park Service
commercial rafting industry
ski resorts
organized camping
adventure therapy programs
outdoor education centers

Additional requirements for the outdoor recreation concentration:

BIOL 101* - Basic Concepts of Modern Biology Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 102* - Basic Concepts Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
BIOL 260*W - General Ecology Credits: 3 s.h
BIOL 261 - General Ecology Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h
ECON 200* - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 s.h
EMSM 115 - Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Credits: 4 s.h
EMSM 374 - Fundamentals of Search and Rescue Credits: 2 s.h
HIST 365 - Environmental History of America Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 360 - Statistics for Business and Economics Credits: 3 s.h
PEAC 101* - Boating and Canoeing Credits: .5 s.h
PEAC 114* - Hiking and Backpacking Credits: .5 s.h
PEAC 117* - Mountain Biking Credits: .5 s.h
or
PEAC 129* - Rock Climbing Credits: .5 s.h.
PEAC 119* - Kayaking Credits: .5 s.h
PEAC 205* - Lifeguard Training (ARC) Credits: 1 s.h
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 204 - Outdoor Leadership Credits: 6 s.h
SMRT 255 - Introduction to Outdoor Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 275 - Adventure Education Theory and Practice Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 419 - Camp Programming and Administration Credits: 3 s.h

V. Program and Advanced Standing Requirements

Recreation management majors must qualify for advanced standing in order to register for the third and fourth year sequences of required courses (including Pre-Practicum and Internship). To qualify for advanced standing, the student must meet the following standards by the conclusion of his or her sophomore year.

The student’s overall cumulative grade point index must meet or exceed a 2.50 GPA.
Proper professional and responsible behavior is expected of each recreation management student. This includes behaviorwhile a student (on- and off-campus) and as a member of the college community.

After achieving the minimum GPA, the student must maintain those standards through the remainder of the program. If the student fails to meet or maintain those standards, the faculty will review the student’s record and recommend departmental probation (with appropriate prescription to overcome the deficiency) or dismissal from the program.

VI. Sample Program by Year

The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 17.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years.

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Literature, Second Language/Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, Philosophy, and Religion. Students in the general recreation or tourism track will also need to fulfill the Natural Science category.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category. Those marked with a w may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.