Recreation & Leisure Studies

What's the difference between a physical education major and a recreation and leisure studies major?

They might sound similar but they're actually very different. If you're interested in sports - either participating, teaching, coaching, or training, then the physical education major is the one for you. But if you're interested in how recreation and movement can be therapeutic to people, and you like working with people, then the recreation and leisure studies is the right major for you.

Major: Recreation and Leisure Studies
There are actually two specializations offered for the major in recreation and leisure studies - therapeutic recreation or leadership programming.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialization
The therapeutic recreation specialization will prepare you to work with people with disabilities, emotional and behavioral problems, substance abuse problems, and developmental disabilities. Once you complete the requirements for this therapeutic recreation major, you're eligible to apply to take the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam and the Certified Park and Recreation Professional exam to be certified.

To pursue the recreation and leisure studies - therapeutic recreation major you'll need:

51 credit hours (15 courses) of required recreation classes, including courses in history of parks and recreation, leisure in later life, special populations, and law and liability in recreation.
3 credit hours (1 course) of an elective recreation course related to outdoor recreation.
10 credit hours (3 courses) of related biology, physical education, and psychology courses.
6 credit hours (2 courses) of elective related courses to be chosen from a list of family and child studies, deaf studies, psychology, sociology, and social work courses.

Leadership and Programming Specialization
The leadership and programming specialization will prepare you to work in a variety of settings - community, commercial, private, camp, and fitness facilities. After graduation, you're also eligible to take the Certified Park and Recreation Professional exam for certification.

To pursue the recreation and leisure studies - leadership programming major you'll need:

51 credit hours (15 courses) in required recreation and physical education courses, including courses in administration of parks and recreation, leadership and group dynamics, program planning, CPR, as well as two required fieldwork experiences to be taken in both the sophomore and senior year.
15 credit hours of elective courses to be chosen from a list of psychology, deaf studies, sociology, family and child studies, psychology, social work, and physical education courses.

Minor: Recreation
If you're interested in getting the basics to plan, implement and lead recreational programs, then this is the minor for you. To pursue a minor in recreation you'll need:

6 credit hours (2 courses) of required introductory recreation courses. You must receive a C or better to continue in the minor.
9 credit hours (3 courses) of additional required recreation courses.