How to Read Course Descriptions
RPTA 1. Orientation to Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration. 1 Unit
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Introduction to the RPTA major with an emphasis on degree options, major advising, referrals to GE for general advising, information about the RPTA undergraduate student association, other local, statewide and national professional associations, scholarship opportunities, the 600-hour volunteer/paid placement prior to the internship, an overview of the internship process.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 6. Medical Terminology for Health Professions. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Introduction to medical terminologies for health professions will provide students the opportunity to recognize and apply the use of medical terms with the necessary primary knowledge to work in a variety of health professions. Students will learn medical root words, prefixes, and suffixes and apply them to the body systems. This will also develop competencies required to read and understand medical reports and communicate with physicians and other allied medical professionals.
Cross listed: HHS 6; only one may be counted for credit.
RPTA 21. First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall only
A first-year seminar intended to provide students with an introduction to the meaning of higher education, resources of the University, and skills for lifelong learning. This course is designed to help students develop academic success strategies and to improve information literacy, intercultural competence,and integrative thinking. The seminar also provides students with the opportunity to interact with fellow students and seminar faculty to build a community of academic and personal support.
RPTA 34. The Outdoor Recreation Experience. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Encourages the student to identify and demonstrate an understanding of the value, meaning and benefits of outdoor recreation experiences and to explore a variety of outdoor adventure experiences. Outing skills such as trip planning, meal preparation, camp selection and set-up, equipment and clothing, map and compass, hygiene and first aid will be discussed and practiced. Students will also develop an awareness of and appreciation for minimum impact wilderness travel techniques and environmental responsibility and ethics.
RPTA 101. Senior Seminar. 1 Unit
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 1 and senior status
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Students will focus on identifying potential internships, refining resumes and writing cover letters for securing internships. Students will also complete the RPTA Department Exit Exam.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 102. Recreation Therapy Professional Practice. 1 Unit
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 1, RPTA 106, RPTA 115, RPTA 116, RPTA 117, RPTA 118 and senior level.
Corequisite(s): RPTA 115, RPTA 116, and/or RPTA 118 may be taken concurrently.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This senior level course is intended to build upon a student's previous coursework in recreation therapy, and link the theoretical foundation with day-today practical applications. Students will fine-tune skills and interests in recreation therapy, learn methods for effective networking, and develop interviewing techniques in order to identify appropriate internships and employment opportunities.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 106. Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA majors or minors or HLSC majors or minors only, or instructor permission. Service Learning may be required.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Addresses the etiology and nature of common disabling conditions and examines issues of leisure participation and inclusion for underrepresented populations. Topics include: attitudinal barriers, advocacy, normalization, universal design, activity analysis and modification, and legislation. Emphasis on leadership, supervision and organizational development of inclusive and recreation therapy programs.
RPTA 115. Recreation Therapy Assessment and Documentation. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHDV 30, PSYC 168, RPTA 30, RPTA 106 and RPTA 117; or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Assessment procedures and instruments used to assure competence in assessment of client function in leisure. Documentation, assessment, regulations in different settings (i.e., community hospital, and clinical settings), protocols and development of individual treatment plans. Students are exposed to the Recreation Therapy process (APIE) in a variety of clinical and community settings.
RPTA 116. Recreation Therapy Principles and Practices and the Recreation Therapy Process. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHDV 30, RPTA 30, RPTA 106 and RPTA 117; or instructor permission. RPTA 117 may be taken concurrently.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Philosophy and principles underlying the work performed by the recreation therapist are studied including assessment, individual program planning, interpersonal interaction skills, and working with families.
RPTA 117. Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 106; RPTA 106 may be taken concurrently.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
In-depth exploration of a variety of disabilities and diseases, including physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health, hearing and vision impairments, and disabilities related to aging. Content will focus on etiology, prognosis, symptomatic conditions, prescription drugs, and recreation therapy interventions. Medical terminology will be covered.
RPTA 118. Recreation Therapy Facilitation Techniques. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHDV 30, PSYC 168, RPTA 30, RPTA 106 and RPTA 117; or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Covers basic concepts, methods and techniques associated with the practice of recreation therapy. Students will understand and apply the recreation therapy process through intervention and facilitation methods that are critical to helping clients in health and human service settings. The goal is to assist students in developing the ability to use recreation, leisure and play in recreation therapy programs as interventions in the treatment process.
RPTA 119. Recreation Therapy Management and Advancement of the Profession. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): BIO 25, CHDV 30, PSYC 168, RPTA105, RPTA 106, RPTA 115, RPTA 116, RPTA 117 and RPTA 118; or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Examination of existing recreation programs in clinical settings (acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, state hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, etc.); review of standards and regulations pertaining to recreation programs, development of recreation therapy programs, review of the roles of practitioners in related disciplines. Review of intervention techniques, program organization, management, and advancement of the profession and professional ethics.
RPTA 131. Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR): Military Recreation Services. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Students develop an understanding of the administration and programming of Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services for individuals serving in the military and their families. Recreation facilities and programs for all branches of the military, including the US Army, US Navy, US Marines, US Air Force and US Coast Guard, are covered. The course utilizes lectures, experiential exercises, class discussions and onsite visits to military installations.
RPTA 191. Service Learning Option for Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Courses. 1 Unit
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Individual goals, activities, and academic requirements for community service work and the service-learning credit option are outlined in a Service Learning Option/Contract agreed upon and signed by the student, instructor, and agency sponsor. Enrolled students are required to attend mid-semester and final learning assessment workshops and to complete written evaluations. Credit for the course awarded only if contract and course requirements are completed.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 195D. Recreation Therapy Internship. 10 - 15 Units
Prerequisite(s): BIO 25, CHDV 30, PSYC 168, RPTA 1, RPTA 30, RPTA 102, RPTA 106, RPTA 110, RPTA 115, RPTA 116, RPTA 117, RPTA 118, RPTA 119, and RPTA 136; completion of required administrative paperwork in the semester prior to internship, approval of major advisor.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Supervised full-time therapeutic internship in a recreation, park or tourism organization or business. Supervision is provided by faculty and also by certified personnel at the host site. Meets the professional certification requirements at the national or state levels.
Note: Refer to the RPTA Internship Manual for procedures and requirements.
RPTA 195R. Internship: Recreation, Park and Nonprofit Management. 10 - 15 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 1, RPTA 30, RPTA 32, RPTA 42, RPTA 60, RPTA 62, RPTA 101, RPTA 105, RPTA 106, RPTA 110, RPTA 136 and approval of academic advisor and internship coordinator.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Supervised, full-time work experience in a recreation, park, or nonprofit agency designed to give students an increased understanding of the nature and scope of industry operations. Supervision is provided by the faculty and by the cooperating agencies.
Note: Refer to the RPTA Internship Manual for procedures and requirements.
RPTA 196U. Advanced Leadership in Service Organizations. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 30 and RPTA 32, graduate student status, or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
To attain an overview of the leadership roles and responsibilities of the field of Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration. Gain a philosophical and contextual overview of leadership in the leisure services profession. Examination of various leadership techniques within the following recreation-based settings including Outdoor & Natural Resources, Community Recreation - Municipal and Non-Profit Organization, Hospitality and Tourism, and Recreational Therapy.
RPTA 200A. Orientation to Graduate Studies in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Organizations. 1 Unit
Prerequisite(s): Restricted to MS in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, & Nonprofit Management students.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
This course covers several topics related to the M.S. degree program in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management. Topics include expectations of the graduate program and different options for the culminating experience. This course will review several other aspects important to graduate students¿ work in the RPTA department, including department and university deadlines and paperwork, library and campus resources, Office of Graduate Studies resources, scholarships, life-school balance, graduate school terminology, and financial aid and funding resources.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 200B. Culminating Experience Preparation in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks and Nonprofit Management. 2 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 200A
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
This course provides students with faculty and peer support for the process of developing their thesis, culminating project or comprehensive exam. This includes the clarification of expectations, familiarization with research resources, and support provided through feedback in a structured environment.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 200C. Foundations of Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
This course examines the foundation and role of recreation, hospitality, parks, and nonprofit management on the society. Discussions will address the historical, political, social and economic impact on the recreation, hospitality, parks and nonprofits industry. Students will identify evidence-based practice in the literature and identify theories associated in recreation, hospitality, parks, and nonprofit management.
RPTA 200D. Advanced Leadership in Service Organizations. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 30 and RPTA 32, graduate student status, or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
To attain an overview of the leadership roles and responsibilities of the field of Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration. Gain a philosophical and contextual overview of leadership in the leisure services profession. Examination of various leadership techniques within the following recreation-based settings including Outdoor & Natural Resources, Community Recreation - Municipal and Non-Profit Organization, Hospitality and Tourism, and Recreational Therapy.
RPTA 201. Advanced Studies in Leisure, Recreation, Parks and Tourism. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): RPTA 200
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
The purpose of this course is to move students beyond conceptual foundations of leisure, recreation, parks and tourism administration to more theoretically advanced aspects of the field. In this course, students will pursue an in-depth exploration of the theories and research related to leisure, recreation, parks and tourism.
RPTA 202. Policies, Trends, and Issues in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Organizations. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Major environmental and recreational issues and problems affecting the recreation, hospitality, parks, and nonprofit field are discussed, analyzed, and evaluated. Ramifications involving the policy-making and planning processes of major federal, state, and local agencies involved with recreation, hospitality, parks, and nonprofit delivery services are also covered.
RPTA 203. Advanced Management in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks and Nonprofit Organizations. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Examination of contemporary resources, techniques, and tools available to managers in various types of RHPN organizations. Leadership and management are broad areas and a class such as this cannot realistically provide a full overview of all the skills necessary to effectively manage an organization in the 21st Century. What we can achieve is to identify and discuss some skills, techniques, tools, and issues that are particularly important to the management of organizations within the broad recreation field.
RPTA 204. Advanced Research Methods in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Provides an analysis of major research methods used in recreation, hospitality, parks, & nonprofit organizations. Addresses basic and applied research orientations, research designs, research proposals, data collection tools and methods, data analysis, and reporting of research findings.
RPTA 206. Liability and Risk Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Graduate status or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
In-depth analysis of the principles of legal liability as they pertain to recreation, parks and tourism administration. An examination of the pervasive nature of risk as it pertains to the provision of recreation, parks and tourism programs and opportunities, and the concepts and methods of risk management. Includes field trips, mock trials or other related activities.
Field trip(s) may be required.
RPTA 206A. Introduction to Inclusive Recreation & Recreation Therapy. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Addresses the etiology and nature of common disabling conditions and examines issues of leisure participation and inclusion for underrepresented populations. Topics include: attitudinal barriers, advocacy, normalization, universal design, activity analysis and modification, and legislation. Including an emphasis on leadership, supervision, and organizational development of inclusive and therapeutic recreation programs.
RPTA 208. Liability and Risk Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
In-depth analysis of the principles of legal liability as they pertain to recreation, parks and tourism administration. An examination of the pervasive nature of risk as it pertains to the provision of recreation, parks and tourism programs and opportunities, and the concepts and methods of risk management. Includes field trips, mock trials or other related activities.
Field trip(s) may be required.
RPTA 209. Seminar in Advanced Leisure Education. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Surveys current and historical perspectives of leisure education from a multicultural and life span viewpoint. Current modes of service delivery will be discussed as they relate to leisure theories. Methods of leisure education provision in diverse settings from school-park collaboratives, retirement and rehabilitation centers, to corporate wellness will be investigated. Development, implementation and management of viable leisure education services will be covered as well presentation, training and consultation skills.
RPTA 263. Grant Writing for Social, Community, and Human Service Organizations. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
A detailed examination of grant writing as a means of augmenting agency revenues for social, community and human service organizations. Course focuses on techniques and strategies used for developing grant proposals, managing grants, and finding funders. Students will develop a full grant proposal including an evaluation and budget plan. Graduate students will conduct an in-depth comparison grant writing processes and budget analyses.
Note: Students may not take both RPTA 163 and RPTA 263 for credit.
RPTA 264. Leadership and Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
The purpose of this course is to provide the principles and concepts of nonprofit leadership with an emphasis on youth and human service agencies. This course will explore and provide a historical and philosophical foundations of nonprofit organizations; board/committee development and operation; and the various roles of human service professionals as they relate to the nonprofit field. This course will consist of lectures, readings, discussion, guest speakers, nonprofit agency visitations, active learning exercises, and a community-learning component.
RPTA 284. Hospitality Administration. 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Introduces students to resorts and hotels and their position within the tourism and hospitality industries. The scope of the hospitality industry and various issues concerning the successful development of a hospitality product will be discussed. Prepares students to engage in an internship or employment in this or a related industry, including restaurants and retail. It also helps these and other students to reinforce concepts and skills learned elsewhere by providing concrete, real-world examples of marketing and management methods.
RPTA 295. Practicum. 3 - 6 Units
Prerequisite(s): Approval of major advisor.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Graduate internship experiences in a practical setting.
Note: Open only to graduate students. Can be repeated two times for a maximum total of 6 units. Students can enroll for a class that counts as 3, 4, 5 or 6 units. No more than 6 units of RPTA 295 and RPTA 299 in combination may be used to meet degree requirements.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 299. Individual Study. 1 - 6 Units
Prerequisite(s): Approved petition filed in the department office.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Individual project, problem, practical study, survey, and/or directed reading on the graduate level.
Note: Can be repeated six times for a maximum total of 6 units. Students can enroll for a class that counts as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 units. No more than six units of RPTA 295 and RPTA 299 in combination may be used to meet major requirements.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 500A. Culminating Experience: Thesis. 1 - 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Advanced to candidacy and permission of graduate coordinator.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Successful completion of a thesis approved for the Master's degree. Student must have approval from first reader.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 500B. Culminating Experience: Project. 1 - 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Advanced to candidacy and permission of graduate coordinator.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Successful completion of a project approved for Master's degree. Student must have approval from the first reader.
Credit/No Credit
RPTA 500C. Culminating Experience: Comprehensive Exam. 1 - 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Advanced to candidacy and permission of the graduate coordinator.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination approved for Master's degree.
Credit/No Credit