Accreditation

Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
Radford University's Recreation, Parks and Tourism program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). It is the oldest accredited program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. COAPRT accredits baccalaureate programs in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation and leisure studies offered at regionally accredited institutions within the United States and its territories, and at nationally accredited institutions in Canada and Mexico. COAPRT is, in turn, accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Important Information about Degree and Accreditation Mills

Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "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. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a usable credential." Read more on CHEA's website.

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

Suggested Evidence of Compliance

The institution is required by COAPRT to publish aggregated results of learning outcomes or assessment results indicating the quality of the program. The following is a sampling of these materials.

Using a six-year average (2018-2019 through 2023-2024) , the program graduates 47 students per year. There is a 67% six-year graduation rate for majors.
New freshmen retention rate for students that started the program in fall 2023 is 60%.
The 2023-2024 average student teaching evaluations for the Department are 4.16 on a five-point scale. This is on par with the College of Education (4.38) and the University (4.37).
Students who complete the recreation therapy concentration are eligible for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. Of the fourteen students who took the exam between 2022 and 2024, 64.3% passed. The national average was 79.6%.
Of those students applying for graduate school, 100% have been accepted. Eighty-eight percent of students have employment (full or part-time) upon graduation.

Assessment Results

COAPRT Standard 7.01

Competency: 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.

Student Learning Outcome: Students graduating with a BS/BA in Recreation, Parks and Tourism will demonstrate competency in foundational knowledge associated with the profession by (a) recalling, (b) explaining, and (C) recognizing the scope of the profession and related services.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete the course RCPT 210 and respective course assessments.

Results

RCPT 210: Students will be able to describe and evaluate the societal impact, development, and history of modern Recreation, parks, and tourism industry. Students will be able to identify potential careers within these fields. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Embedded test questions in all course exams evaluated student knowledge of scope and services of park, recreation, and tourism and/or related professions. In academic year 2023-2024, 91% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.
A career profile paper requires students to select and explain a profession of interest, comprehensively research that profession including scope of services and requirements for entry. In academic year 2023-2024, 100% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

COAPRT Standard 7.02

Competency: 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.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students graduating with a BS/BA in Recreation, Parks and Tourism will demonstrate competency in program leadership by understanding and applying program design planning and evaluation.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete course RCPT 112 and RCPT 414 and the respective course assessments. Activity assignment rubrics are used to assess student learning outcomes.

Results:

RCPT 112 introduces students to the theoretical and technical aspects of leadership. All students are required to complete an activity plan that demonstrates their ability to plan an age-appropriate activity while utilizing leadership concepts of safety, creativity, and proper transitions. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instrument:

Activity Plan Rubric: In academic year 2023-2024, 96% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

RCPT 414: Students will simulate a department of parks and recreations. The knowledge skills and capabilities are applicable for future employment within diverse communities. All students are required to complete a program plan including activity selection, target population, staffing, budget, marketing, and evaluation. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instrument:

Program Plan Rubric: In academic year 2023-2024, 92% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

COAPRT Standard 7.03

Competency: 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.

Student Learning Outcome: Students graduating with a BS/BA in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Recreation will demonstrate competency in administrative and management functions by recalling, explaining and applying fundamental research skills.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete courses RCPT 413 and RCPT 432 and the respective course assessments. Embedded rubrics are used to assess student learning outcomes.

Results:

RCPT 432: Students conduct applied research projects using computer applications that can be used to enhance assessment, management, evaluation, and program delivery. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instrument:

Research Project embedded rubric evaluated students' ability to demonstrate fundamental research skills by creating a research question, writing a literature review, collecting data, and reporting findings. In the academic year 2023-2024, 95% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

RCPT 413: Students will emphasize internship/employment preparation, concept of a profession and professional organizations, ethical principles and professionalism, and trends and issues. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Conference Proposal embedded rubric evaluated students' ability to demonstrate fundament research skills by writing a session description, literature review, learning objectives, and a session overview. In academic year 2023-2024, 88% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

COAPRT Standard 7.04

Competency: 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.

Student Learning Outcome: Students graduating with BS/BA in Recreation, Parks and Tourism will demonstrate competency in professional skills, behavior, and attitude by achieving a high level of skill in professional writing.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete course RCPT 470 and the respective course assessments. Embedded rubrics for a special project and final paper are used to assess student learning outcomes.

Results:

RCPT 470: Students complete a 40 hour per week, 14-week internship for a total of 560 hours with an approved recreation agency under the direct supervision of a professional in the field. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Each student is required to complete a special project, which is a tangible product requiring significant time investment that will be of assistance and value to the agency. In the academic year 2023-2024, 100% of students achieved a score of 70% or better.
Each student is required to complete a final paper assignment with a summary of their learning experiences and reflection upon their performance, growth as a professional, and strategies to prepare themselves for their future career. In the academic year 2023-2024, 95% of students achieved a score of 70% or better.

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