BS in Recreation and Leisure Studies
The baccalaureate degree program in recreation and leisure studies consists of 121 credit hours. Students entering the degree program will select one of two available concentrations, Therapeutic Recreation or Community Recreation Upon completion of the degree requirements, the student may seek employment as a recreation therapist, recreation staff in a variety of municipal or nonprofit environments, as an activity coordinator, or recreation generalist. Students who complete internships under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist will be eligible to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification examination
The four-year program in recreation and leisure studies consists of, in addition to the Core curriculum requirements, the following courses leading to the bachelor of science degree which are to be taken by students in both Concentrations. The curriculum is subject to change as a result of faculty evaluation.
Required Recreation Core Courses (27 Cr)
| Credits | |
| CON 216 Emergency Medical Response | 3 |
| CON 219 Lifetime Physical Fitness and Wellness | 3 |
| REC 110 Foundations of Recreation and Leisure Studies | 3 |
| REC 241 Recreation Leadership | 3 |
| REC 353 Implications of Disabling Conditions for Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| REC 495 Internship/Fieldwork | 12 |
| Electives (6 Cr) | |
| REC 223 Introduction to Nature Tourism | |
| REC 224 Inclusive & Special Recreation | 3 |
| REC 226 Lifetime Leisure Activities | 3 |
| REC 231 Arts and Crafts Programming and Leadership | |
| CON 285 Perspectives on Animal Assisted Therapy | 3 |
| CON 288 Reiki: Energy Medicine | 3 |
| CON 314 Wellness Education and Counseling | 3 |
| RHF XXX Two 1.5-credit health/fitness courses | |
| Required foundation courses (10.5 Cr) | |
| BIO 111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 112 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology | 1.5 |
| HRD/SBS 200 Multicultural Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 101 General Psychology I | 3 |
| Total credits (with Core) | 121 |
Therapeutic Recreation Concentration
In addition to the courses required of everyone in the major, the following courses are required to complete the Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:
| Credits | |
| CON 311 Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults | |
| REC 121 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Service | 3 |
| REC 353 Implications of Disabling Conditions for Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| REC 382 Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| REC 383 Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| REC 494 Professional Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice | 3 |
| REC 495 Internship | 12 |
| REC 498 Management and Professional Development in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| Recreation electives | 6 |
| Required foundation courses (10.5Cr) | |
| BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 212 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology | 1.5 |
| PSY 102 General Psychology II | 3 |
| PSY 233 Psychopathology | 3 |
| Total credits (with Core) | 121 |
Community Recreation Concentration
In addition to the courses required by everyone in the major, the following courses are required to complete the Community Recreation Concentration:
| REC 226 Lifetime Leisure Activities | 3 |
| REC 231 Arts and Crafts Programming & Leadership | 3 |
| REC 233 Outdoor Recreation | 3 |
| REC 386 Facility Management | 3 |
| REC 493 Pre Fieldwork | 3 |
| REC 499 Management in Community Recreation | 3 |
| Required Foundation Courses | |
| LOS 300 Organizational Theory | 3 |
| LOS 304 Organizational Budgeting | 3 |
| LOS 312 Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PSY (choose from several options) | 3 |
| PHE 302 Coaching Philosophy and Fundamentals | 3 |
| Total credits (with Core) | 121 |
Nature-based Tourism at USM
Enrollment in the Nature Tourism Minor can increase your understanding and enjoyment of nature while enhancing future employment opportunities in ecotourism and adventure recreation businesses, wilderness equipment outfitters, or organizations that focus on environmental education.
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