Baccalaureate programs in recreation, park resources, and leisure services - Directory

Parks & Recreation, April, 2002

The National Recreation and Park Association in cooperation with the American Association of Leisure and Recreation now accredits 102 academic programs. That number is growing as new applications are received and programs are reviewed. These 102 programs are located in 38 states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario.

Accredited programs must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation. Within the past year, these standards have been revised to address environmental issues, changes in therapeutic recreation and other modifications in the profession. In addition to standards related to the institution, the faculty, student services and instructional resources, each accredited program must be able to document specific professional competencies within the academic program.

All accredited programs must comply with eight broad categories of standards addressing the "professional program." In addition, individual programs may be accredited in one or more of four recognized options. These options include (1) Leisure Services Management, (2) Natural Resources Recreation Management, (3) Leisure/ Recreation Program Delivery and (4) Therapeutic Recreation. Each option requires compliance with specific standards relevant to that option.

With the growth in numbers of institutions seeking accreditation and the required five-year cycle for continued accreditation review, the Council on Accreditation is recruiting professionals to serve as members of the visiting teams. Visitation teams include both educators and professional practitioners. Representatives from all sectors of the recreation, park resources, and leisure services profession are needed. Information on qualifications and training to become a visitor may be requested from Jeanne Houghton at NRPA.