Recreation Management & Policy (RMP)

RMP 800 - Concepts of Recreation and Leisure

Credits: 3

An overview of historical and philosophical perspectives of the play, recreation, therapeutic recreation, and park and natural resource conservation movements. Students examine recreation leisure and recreation resources in contemporary society, particularly in the context of the development of social capital. Includes leisure values and ideals, the emergence and evolution of "free time" diversity, and public policy implications.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 805 - Management and Policy in Therapeutic Recreation

Credits: 3

Students acquire knowledge of current principles and procedures for assuming an administrative role in the therapeutic recreation profession. Includes issues and practices related to supervision, reimbursement, quality improvement programs, consultation, marketing, and more.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 806 - Recreation Administration and Organizational Behavior

Credits: 3

The organization and administration of public, private, and not-for-profit recreation agencies. The primary unit of analysis in this class is the recreation organization and the environment in which it operates. Emphasis is placed on organization, management, marketing, and financing applications, theories, and research.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 811 - Recreation Resource Management

Credits: 3

An examination of the supply and demand of natural resources for outdoor recreation uses, with emphasis on relationships between public and private roles and responsibilities. Historical, social, and environmental impacts of outdoor recreation use are discussed. Current principles and techniques of recreation resource planning and management are outlined.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 820 - Adaptive Sport Facilitation for Recreation Therapy and Related Professions

Credits: 3

This course takes a strengths‐based approach to examining adaptive sports and recreation for recreational therapists and related professions, with a focus on best practices and risk management in community‐based settings. This is an experiential learning course, whereby students will learn how to design, plan, and facilitate a variety of adaptive sports for people with disabilities. Students will learn and apply processes for assessing, selecting, and fitting adaptive sports and recreation equipment for individuals with disabilities.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 824 - Research, Evaluation, and Data-Driven Decisions

Credits: 3

Emphasizes the understanding and practical application of evaluation concepts and tools within recreation, event, and allied health services. The course will cover the utility and feasibility of evaluation, evaluation planning and design (including quantitative and qualitative research design, methods, and analysis), evaluation management and data collection, analysis and reporting, and decision-making based on evaluation data.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 840 - Therapeutic Recreation Service Delivery in Community Settings

Credits: 3

This course provides specialized knowledge and skills related to the practice of Recreational Therapy in a community setting. The course will encourage students to expand their understanding of philosophical constructs, public policy, and professional standards to reflect practice in community settings including schools, municipal recreation organizations, and community health program. Specific facilitation techniques and treatment modalities will be introduced as well as information specific to the therapeutic process as it is observed in these settings.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 872 - Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services

Credits: 3

Topics including an overview of the nature of law and U.S. legal systems; the law of torts, contracts, civil liberties and rights; risk management and legal research are addressed in the context of recreation services and resources. Public policy and professional advocacy implications are examined as related to legislative and decisional systems.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 875 - Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation

Credits: 3

Principles of business planning and development as applied to the private sector leisure services industry. Emphasizes knowledge of key commercial leisure services profiles and their intersection with allied professions such as hospitality and tourism. This course is designed to examine commercial recreation from both a macro and micro perspective. This multi-level approach helps prepare students to write a viable business plan for their own commercial recreation enterprise.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 876 - Human Dimensions of Natural Environments

Credits: 3

This course draws on research and theories that illuminate the profound connections between nature and human health and wellbeing. Students will explore contemporary philosophical, psychological, and cultural perspectives to understand how both organized and unstructured experiences in the outdoors support human flourishing. Students review research and gain hands-on practice with ideas in the context of outdoor recreation, resource management, education, and other human service fields.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 899 - Master's Thesis

Credits: 3

A graduate level statistics and graduate level methods course.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

RMP 912 - Non-Profit Administration and Leadership

Credits: 3

An overview of the creation, management, and administration of non-profit organizations and businesses. Examines legal requirements for charter and incorporation by state law and Federal guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service. Current trends and issues in non-profit sector business are explored and a survey of the wide diversity of non-profit sector organizations is included. Since a high percentage of recreation agencies are incorporated as non-profit organizations, specific applications are made to the field of leisure and recreation.

Prerequisite(s): (RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D- and RMP 805 with a minimum grade of D-) or RMP 806 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 924 - Fund Development and Grantwriting

Credits: 3

Students develop an understanding of the meaning of philanthropy, its importance in society, and its integral relationship to the fund development process. The social context for philanthropy, development, and fund raising and the changing practices for non-profit leadership are addressed. Presents and evaluates strategies and communication tools used to support fund development goals. Students develop abilities in grant writing, requesting major donor support, structuring annual giving campaigns, and establishing special events.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): SW 957

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 963 - Graduate Field Practicum

Credits: 2

This course is designed to provide RMP graduate students with a supervised, professional field experience in an approved recreation, park, tourism, or health and human service agency. Students will conduct a 100-hour field practicum experience and complete academic assignments.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

RMP 964 - Graduate Internship

Credits: 3

Supervised, professional administrative work experience in an approved recreation, park, tourism, or health care agency. Students participate in a 14-week 560-hour internship experience after receiving approval from their academic adviser and the internship coordinator.

Prerequisite(s): (RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D- and RMP 805 with a minimum grade of D-) or RMP 806 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

RMP 970 - Teaching Practicum

Credits: 3

Students work with a faculty mentor to investigate, observe, and practice teaching methods and learning theory. Includes the various instructional technologies as tools to enhance the teaching/learning process. The Teaching Practicum is designed for students who wish to assume part-time or adjunct University teaching positions upon completion of the Master's degree or who see themselves pursuing a future doctoral degree with higher education as a career goal.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 980 - Independent Study

Credits: 1-3

Independent Study.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 992 - Research Methods in Recreation Management and Policy

Credits: 3

This research methods course focuses on the research literature, tools, and methods used in the field of parks, recreation, & leisure studies. The course covers various research and evaluation techniques and methods, including quantitative, qualitative, & mixed methods. Students develop a research proposal, including the need for the study, research questions, review of the literature, research design, and data collection and analysis procedures. The proposal is used as the basis of the student's capstone master’s thesis or applied research project in the M.S. in RMP program.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 995 - Capstone Seminar

Credits: 3

As a capstone course for the Masters of Science Degree in Recreation Management and Policy, this course invites students to bring content and ideas formed in previous coursework and experience to the investigation of opportunities and challenges in professional practice. Students will present and refine portfolio artifacts that contribute to their professional development and the improvement of the field. The course is conducted as a seminar with all participants contributing to the learning process.

Prerequisite(s): RMP 800 with a minimum grade of D- and (RMP 805 with a minimum grade of D- or RMP 806 with a minimum grade of D-).

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

RMP 998 - Special Topics

Credits: 2-4

Special Topics.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading