Program Coordinator/Contact
Paul Fokken, Associate Professor
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Intramural Building 116
605-688-6163
E-mail: paul.fokken@sdstate.edu
Click here for additional information.
Program Information
Sport, Recreation and Park Management (SRPM) professionals are needed to meet recreation demands resulting from expanding populations, increased leisure time, greater mobility and changing social attitudes. The curriculum in SRPM designed to prepare students for professional positions in sport, recreation, parks and outdoor recreation programming and administration.
Students interested in parks and outdoor recreation, and employment with federal, state, county and municipal parks agencies and with private outdoor and tourism enterprises, can tailor their program of study using elective courses offered through the Plant Science department. Students interested in municipal and county recreation agencies, YMCA/YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, college/professional organizations, fitness/facility management organizations, and therapeutic recreation in clinical as well as community settings, can focus their interests using additional recreation, management, entrepreneur, and leadership elective courses. This major is based on an interdisciplinary approach providing a broad, comprehensive background for leadership and administrative roles in sport, recreation and park industries
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Sport, Recreation, and Park Management major students will:
- Demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant sport, recreation, park and 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.
- Demonstrate the ability to design, implement and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
- Demonstrate entry level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in sport, parks, recreation and/or related professions.
- Demonstrate, through a comprehensive practicum and/or field experience of not less than 400 hours the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in sport, recreation, park or related organizations.
- Demonstrate personal character and qualities of professionalism that are necessary for individuals working in the sport, recreation and park sectors.
- Demonstrate the ability to use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice, engage in advocacy, and stimulate innovation.
Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is also required in all courses taught in the major. All students transferring into the program must have a 2.0 GPA to be accepted. Transfer students with less than a 2.0 GPA may petition for approval. If accepted, the transfer student will enter on probation for one semester. A student in the major must have a 2.4 cumulative GPA to be recommended for the required internship experience. A minimum final grade of “C” is required in all courses taught in the major.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Upon successful completion of the degree, students who are in the field working under a certified professional may apply to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional.
Course Delivery Format
The program offeres coursework through classroom (face to face, hybrid and/or online), service learning and lab experiences (indoor and outdoor), sport, recreation and park site visits, practicum and/or field experience/s
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