— Welcome to Recreation and Park Administration —
A Top 10 Program!
The Department offers a nationally accredited B.S. degree and a M.S. degree in Recreation and Park Administration. Students and faculty are engaged in classroom instruction, service learning projects, grant writing, and research. The faculty is committed and strongly believes in providing a combination of theory and experience to prepare and motivate students for successful employment in the field. The B.S. degree provides 15 credit hours of direct hands-on field experience. The senior practicum (REC 463) serves as an excellent transition from school to work and many students are hired directly out of their practicum. A career in park, recreation, and leisure services enables students to have an impact in their work, in their communities, on the environment, and in the lives of others!
Department is the #8 Longest Accredited Program in Nation!
Hands on Learning! Service Learning Focus - Average of 40 per year!
Only Therapeutic Recreation Program in Kentucky (BS and MS)!
3 + 2 Program (Earn a Master of Science degree in only ONE YEAR!)
RPA is committed to having our students compete well for professional positions in the field of recreation, parks and tourism services
• One in ten jobs on the planet are in Tourism!
• Recreation Management & Event Planning (event planning 33% growth); Corporate Event Planners average $93,719
• Therapeutic Recreation has been named one of the best jobs for saving the world and CNBC named TR one of the Best Jobs Outside the Cubicle!!
• U.S. News & World Report has named Recreation and Fitness Worker as one of the best jobs!!
• Bureau of Labor indicates that Rec Jobs will grow 19% between 2010 and 2020
• Outdoor Recreation is a $646 billion industry with 6.1 million American jobs, and 140 million American participants. In Kentucky, outdoor recreation results in 105,000 jobs, $8.4 billion in consumer spending, and $552 million in state and local revenue.
Faculty Advisor for Exercise and Sport Science is:
Dr. Jon McChesney
What are you waiting for?
Change your major to Recreation and Park Administration
today and Love What YOU Do!
Inside Look
Understanding How the Pandemic Changed the Job Market - Featuring Associate Professor Dr. Brian Clark
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Recreation Specialists? Parks and Natural areas have seen a huge increase in visitor usage during the pandemic. Read more…
REC Club - Eastern KY Recreation Equipment and Toy Drive
Soon after the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky, the Department Parks, Recreation, Exercise, and Sports Science reached out to faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, and community members seeking donations for their recreation equipment drive. Read more…
Professors Weigh in on Current Job Market Trends - Featuring RPA Department Chair Dr. Jon McChesney
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years? Dr. Jon McChesney: Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence, read more…