MISSION
We create, share, and apply knowledge about parks, recreation, and tourism to inspire students, inform policy, serve social needs, encourage sustainability and economic vitality, and advocate for the health of people, communities, and the environment of which we are part. VISION We advance individual, community, and environmental health through education, research, and action informed by the preventive, developmental, and rehabilitative powers of parks, recreation, and tourism. VALUES Student centeredness Student involvement Community connections Informed and engaged citizenship Excellence in and integration of scholarship, teaching, and service Outdoor, experiential, and traditional instruction Speculative as well as applied knowledge Ecological literacy Diversity and inclusion Career development and professional advancement of our graduates Independent and lifelong learning *Taken from the University of Utah: College of Health |
COAPRT is the only accreditation of recreation, park resources and leisure services curricula recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
What is accreditation?
A process of validation in which colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning are evaluated. The standards for accreditation are set by a peer review board whose members include faculty from various accredited college and universities. It has two main purposes: 1. to assure quality 2. to assure improvement Since 1968, within the College of Health, the Department offers programs of study leading to baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. Our undergraduate program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), through the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT is, in turn, accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
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Results for the most recent academic year (AY 2014) follow:
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 55%
Outcome 1 from Standard 7.01: Student's will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of the principles of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.
Outcome 1 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 1 Result: 85% of students earned 75% or above.
Outcome 2 from Standard 7.02: Students demonstrate their ability to design, implement and evaluate a program with agencies in the Salt Lake Valley.
Outcome 2 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 2 Result: 76% of students earned 75% or above.
Outcome 3 from Standard 7.03: Students demonstrate their knowledge and ability to apply foundational knowledge and management principles through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Outcome 3 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 3 Result: 82.5% of students earned 75% or above
First Accredited: 03/14/1979
Next Review: Congress 2016
Options: A B D
Status: Accredited
Outcome 1 from Standard 7.01: Student's will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of the principles of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.
Outcome 1 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 1 Result: 85% of students earned 75% or above.
Outcome 2 from Standard 7.02: Students demonstrate their ability to design, implement and evaluate a program with agencies in the Salt Lake Valley.
Outcome 2 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 2 Result: 76% of students earned 75% or above.
Outcome 3 from Standard 7.03: Students demonstrate their knowledge and ability to apply foundational knowledge and management principles through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Outcome 3 Measure Type: Direct
Outcome 3 Result: 82.5% of students earned 75% or above
First Accredited: 03/14/1979
Next Review: Congress 2016
Options: A B D
Status: Accredited
University of Utah Standards
7.0 Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes presented in this series of standards are designed to elicit evidence of student learning in the program’s foundational curriculum. Foundational curricula in parks, recreation, tourism, and related professions include study in three areas:
7.01 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.
7.01.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.01.
7.01.02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed
7.01.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.01.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.01 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.01 are used to inform decision making.
7.02 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.
7.02.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.02.
7.02:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.02.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.02.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.02 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.02 are used to inform decision making.
7.03 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.
7.03.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.03.
7.03:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.03.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.03.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.03 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.03 are used to inform decision making.
7.04 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.
7.04.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) the internship handbook;
b) student reflection papers that describe internship opportunities to solve problems, the processes involved, and results;
c) student developed innovations;
d) documentation of evidence
7.04:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.04.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.04.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.04 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.04 are used to inform decision making.
The learning outcomes presented in this series of standards are designed to elicit evidence of student learning in the program’s foundational curriculum. Foundational curricula in parks, recreation, tourism, and related professions include study in three areas:
- Foundations includes the background, nature, and scope of the profession, including its history, philosophy, and social and behavioral science underpinnings.
- Provision of services and experience opportunities for guests, visitors, participants, clients, or other constituent groups. The provision of service and experience opportunities includes, but is not limited to recreation programming and leadership, heritage and environmental interpretation, site design and management, experience design, and related processes.
- Management/Administration. This dimension refers to both operations management/administration and strategic management/administration. Operations management/administration includes planning, organizing, staffing, directing, leading, controlling, reporting, finance, resource acquisition, marketing, and critical thinking. Strategic management/administration refers to processes that managers in parks, recreation, tourism and related professions use to optimize the success of the organization within the external systems in which their organization operates. Strategic management/administration involves creating, maintaining, and deploying plans-of- action that address changing circumstances in social, economic, environmental, or financial environments; new technology; and new competitors.
7.01 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.
7.01.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.01.
7.01.02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed
7.01.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.01.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.01 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.01 are used to inform decision making.
7.02 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.
7.02.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.02.
7.02:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.02.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.02.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.02 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.02 are used to inform decision making.
7.03 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.
7.03.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) syllabi for courses relevant to this learning outcome,
b) descriptions of special assignments and extra-instructional learning opportunities that are central to meeting this standard,
c) a matrix of courses and extra-instructional experiences by specific learning objectives associated with 7.03.
7.03:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.03.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.03.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.03 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.03 are used to inform decision making.
7.04 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.
7.04.01 The program shall demonstrate that students are provided with sufficient opportunity to achieve this learning outcome.
Evidence might include:
a) the internship handbook;
b) student reflection papers that describe internship opportunities to solve problems, the processes involved, and results;
c) student developed innovations;
d) documentation of evidence
7.04:02 The program shall demonstrate that quality assessment measures were used to assess learning outcomes associated with this standard.
Evidence might include the following:
a) a description of the process of constructing and evaluating the measures used,
b) evidence of inter-rater agreement, reliability, validity or criteria appropriate to the measure,
c) a description of when measures are administered and to whom they are administered,
d) an assurance that assessment tools are not being used for purposes other than that for which they were developed.
7.04.03 The program shall demonstrate that results of its assessment program indicate that graduates of the program are achieving this Learning Outcome.
Evidence must include a written interpretation about student attainment of learning outcomes based on data from the measures used. At least two measures of learning outcomes must be used. One of these must be a direct measure of the learning outcome (e.g., test scores, scores on embedded assignments, standardized test pass rates, ratings of observed performance by appropriate raters). The second measure can be either a direct or an indirect measure of the learning outcome.
7.04.04 The program shall demonstrate that it uses data from assessment of Learning Outcome 7.04 for continuous program improvement.
Evidence must include a written explanation of how the data associated with Learning Outcome 7.04 are used to inform decision making.
Examples of Direct & Indirect Learning Outcomes
Direct Measures of Learning Outcomes
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Indirect Measures of Learning Outcomes
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My Reflection
My experiences through the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department at the University of Utah has properly set me up with the skills necessary to enter the professional world.
Specific classes and their corresponding skills to the accreditation standards:
- PRT 3310 Leisure Behavior and Human Diversity
- PRT 3207 Management of PRT
- PRT 5460 Electronic Marketing
- PRT 4828 Co-Op Education II
Specific classes and their corresponding skills to the accreditation standards:
- PRT 3310 Leisure Behavior and Human Diversity
- Covered the philosophy of leisure
- Our final project from the Integrated Core covered the aspects of human diversity and targeted human experiences as we gave children from the Boys and Girls Club an opportunity to visit the new Aquarium in Salt Lake City.
- PRT 3207 Management of PRT
- Covered general management philosophies within the realm of Parks and Recreation which meets standard 7.03
- Click here to see my final video of my Management Philosophy
- PRT 5460 Electronic Marketing
- This class covered topics like website design with AIDA, we worked in Weebly to create and refine our electronic portfolios, we learned and developed skills through Adobe Photoshop and Flash, and we learned general blogging techniques, and SEO.
- PRT 4828 Co-Op Education II
- This class gave me opportunity within an internship to accomplish 480 hours working at the Hatteras Island Ocean Center, Summer of 2016. Here I incorporated everything I've learned and accomplished throughout my time in the PRT department which ultimately led me to a job within a nonprofit seeking ways to accomplish Sustainable Tourism for the Ocean Center. This fulfills standard 7.04.