Specialization in Recreation Policy
The recreation administration specialization is devoted to development of governmental and grass roots recreation systems. This would include state and federal agencies or associations dealing with recreation and park issues, large city recreation departments, and grass roots directors who use recreation as the backbone of their efforts. The specialty course work would include an understanding of the city recreation, legal and political aspects, recreation issues and philosophy among the courses that students would take.
Specialization Faculty
- Dr. Sharon Hunt, Professor: BSE and MSE in Physical Education, University of Arkansas, Ed.D. in Recreation, University of Georgia. Dr. Hunt is interested in public policy as it relates to the administration of recreation services. Research interests include the social-psychology of leisure and legal aspects of the administration of recreation services.
- Dr. Stephen J. Langsner, CTRS, Professor: B.S. Psychology, Springfield College 1976, M.S. Urban Recreation, University of Baltimore 1981, Re.D. Therapeutic Recreation, Indiana University 1986, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, 1981 - Present. Dr. Langsner is interested in public policy as it relates to the civil rights of people with disabilities, particularly in the area of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on society. Research interests include issues and trends related to the provision of continuing professional education in the allied health field.
- Dr. Merry Moiseichik, Professor, Recreation: BSE in Recreation Education with emphasis in Outdoor Education 1975 and MSE in Recreation with emphasis on philosophy 1985 both from SUNY Courtland, Re.D. Recreation Administration 1990 from Indiana University. Dr. Moiseichik is interested in public policy as it relates to recreation administration. That is, how laws and public policy affect the provision of recreation services. Her rsearch interests focus on legal issues of recreation and working in low income areas providing recreation services.
Course of Study (12 hours)
Select from the following courses.
- Philosophical base (Assumes at least one recreation philosophy class at the Masters level prior to one of these courses.)
- Principles of Recreation (RECR 5813) Considers history, philosophy, current trends, basic issues, and fundamental principles of recreation. Using these principles as basic criteria students make critical appraisals of current practices in organization and administration of recreation programs, program content, leadership methods, and evaluative procedures.
- Reading in Recreation (RECR 600V) Purpose of this course is to help student prepare for comprehensive exams through exposure to the classical readins in recreation philosophy.
- Applied Leisure Behavior (RECR 5223) Examines antecedents and consequences of leisure behavior from a social psychological perspective. Emphasis on assisting recreation professions; how to operate within these laws; and methods for influencing new legislation. Also discusses political aspects of professions both outside and inside governmental agencies.
- Select two other courses in the specialist areas at the graduate level.