Accreditation

Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Toursim 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 useable 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, the program graduates 61 students per year. There is an 80% graduation rate for majors.
New freshmen retention rate for students that started the program in fall 2022 is 100%.
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 twelve students who took the exam between 2020 and 2022, 100% passed. The national average was 77.4%.
Of those students applying for graduate school, 100% have been accepted. Ninety-four 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 purpose and benefits of leisure services and current trends.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete course RCPT 112 and RCPT 210 and the respective course assessments.

Results

RCPT 112: Students will be able to discuss and evaluate the theoretical and technical aspects of leadership. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Course exam: In academic year 2022-2023, 91% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

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:

Course exam: In academic year 2022-2023, 85% 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 formulating and applying program leadership and facilitation.

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

Results:

RCPT 112 introduces students to the theoretical and technical aspects of leadership. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Program Observation Rubric: In academic year 2022-2023, 92% 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. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Program Facilitation Rubric: In academic year 2022-2023, 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 risk management skills.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete course RCPT 365 and RCPT 414 and the respective course assessments. A combination of a course exam and risk management plan assignment are used to assess student learning outcomes.

Results:

RCPT 365: Students examine the interactions of recreation participants, recreation providers, and the environment as it relates to risk management planning and implementation, legal issues, and ethical considerations. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Risk Management Plan Rubric: In the academic year 2022-2023, 95% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

Course exam: In the academic year 2022-2023, 100% of students earned at least a score of 70% or better.

Program Facilitation Rubric: In academic year 2022-2023, 99% 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 the ability to consistently perform in a professional manner based on the RCPT professional characteristics and dispositions requirements.

Method of Assessment: Students are required to successfully complete course RCPT 470 and the respective course assessments. A combination of an internship plan assignment and professional characteristics and disposition rubric are used to assess student learning outcomes.

Results:

RCTP 470: Students complete a 40 hour per week, 14-week internship for a total of 560 hours. The specific application of knowledge, understanding, and skills obtained in the classroom to a practical setting under the supervision of a qualified and/or certified recreation or therapeutic recreation specialist. Each student is required to complete a special project that will be of assistance and value to the agency. The course assesses student knowledge, skills, and capabilities using the following instruments:

Internship Supervisor Survey: In the academic year 2022-2023, 100% of students were rated as highly competent or competent on seven measures.

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