Recreation [REC] (Major)
This major in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department prepares students for a variety of career opportunities. Because all people seek recreation services in a spectrum of agencies and settings, this degree provides a foundation in liberal arts, leadership, human relations and management skills. This degree is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Career Potential
- Parks and recreation director
- Activity director
- YWCA/YMCA director
- Camp director
A. Required Courses: 39 credit hours
First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16-17
Fall Total credit hours: 16
Fall Total credit hours: 15
Fall Total credit hours: 16
- REC 271 - Foundations of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 280 - Programming in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 293 - Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 370 - Outdoor Education Practicum (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 380 - Leadership in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 402 - Management of Recreation Resources (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 407 - Evaluation and Research (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 445 - Administration of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 446 - The Law of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 470 - Senior Seminar (3 cr. hr.)
Additional REC electives - 9 credit hours
Students may not enroll in additional course work while enrolled in the internship.
- REC 475 - Internship in Recreation and Leisure Services (12 cr. hr.)
- Activity Requirement: at least two different recreation activities (2-6 cr. hr.)
- Liberal Arts and Free Electives (17-21 cr. hr.), which could include HLH 120: Responding to Emergencies to meet the first aid requirement
- First Aid Reqirement (0-2 cr. hr.), certification in Red Cross Responding to Emergencies or higher. Acceptable certifications can be found in the advisement manual.
- CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
- COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
Example of the B.S. in Recreation over four years
First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16-17
- GE 1
- GE 3
- GE 5
- COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
- CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
- CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
- REC 271 - Foundations of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
- GE 2
- GE 4
- GE 6
- Activity reqirement (1 cr. hr.)
- CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
- CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
- CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 16
- GE 7
- GE 9
- GE 13
- REC 280 - Programming in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 380 - Leadership in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
- GE 8
- GE 12
- COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 293 - Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 370 - Outdoor Education Practicum (3 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 15
- Liberal arts elective
- Liberal Arts elective
- Elective
- Elective
or HLH 120 plus 1 credit hour elective
REC 402 - Management of Recreation Resources (3 cr. hr.)
- REC elective
- REC elective
- Liberal arts elective
- REC 407 - Evaluation and Research (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 446 - The Law of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
Fall Total credit hours: 16
- Elective
- REC elective
- Liberal arts elective
- Activity requirement (1 cr. hr.)
- REC 470 - Senior Seminar (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 445 - Administration of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
Students may not enroll in additional course work while enrolled in internship.
- REC 475 - Internship in Recreation and Leisure Services (12 cr. hr.)
