College of Allied Health and Nursing
Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services
213 Highland Center N
507-389-2127

Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services graduate students may develop a recreation core within the Cross-disciplinary Studies Master of Science degree program. For more information on this program, please refer to the Cross-disciplinary Studies program.

Course Descriptions

RPLS 540 (3) Therapeutic Recreation Assessment

Students will learn about and gain experience with assessment as it is practiced in therapeutic recreation settings. The course focuses on the basics of assessment, the four most frequently utilized information gathering techniques, and commonly used assessment instruments.

RPLS 547 (3) Therapeutic Recreation Process

This course details the Therapeutic Recreation process: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in relation to individual treatment programs in Therapeutic Recreation Service. Emphasis is on interpreting assessment data, writing measurable goals and objectives, implementing an actual program, and documenting program results in terms currently used in human service settings.

Prerequisite: RPLS 274

RPLS 550 (3) Therapeutic Recreation Techniques

This course is designed to teach a wide variety of interventions and facilitation techniques used in therapeutic recreation programs to give the student knowledge, practice, and ability in the implementation of leisure and recreation programs for persons with special needs.

Prerequisite: RPLS 274 and 447

RPLS 562 (2) Readings in RPLS

Exploring topics and authors in the field of recreation, parks, and leisure services, analyzing and synthesizing the information.

RPLS 565 (3) Event Management

This course introduces students to special event planning, development, budgeting, promotion, and evaluation. The use, recruitment, evaluation and recognition of volunteers as well as fund raising strategies are discussed and employed.

Prerequisite: RPLS 377

RPLS 571 (3) Research Design in RPLS

This course guides the student through the survey process, including the creation and implementation of a questionnaire. The data collected are then analyzed and a formal report, including a review of literature, is prepared. Computer skills are emphasized.

Prerequisite: COMS 100

RPLS 573 (3) Administration of Leisure Time Programs

Development of approaches in staffing, planning, organization, coordination, evaluation, and directing programs and personnel.

RPLS 575 (3) Public Land Use Policies

Traces the history of public lands in the United States, their acquisition and disposal. Congressional charges to executive agencies managing national lands and state and local government responsibilities for managing non-federal public lands. Attention is given to international oceanic resources and how the international community will manage these resources.

RPLS 578 (3) Review of Outdoor Recreation Research

 This course examines major topics of social science research aimed at learning the preferences, attitudes, behaviors, experiences and benefits of visitors to outdoor recreation areas.

RPLS 579 (3) Wildland Recreation Management

This course introduces students to some basic natural resource and visitor management techniques in outdoor recreation settings. Topics such as interpretation and environmental education, visitor management and ecosystem management are among those discussed.

RPLS 581 (3) Park Systems & Planning

Traces the history of the parks movement in the United States, selected legislation establishing parks, and the enactment of funding legislation. The importance of public participation, planning and political strategies are stressed.

RPLS 582 (3) Leisure and Older Adults

Leisure as an integral aspect of successful aging is the focus of this course which includes: leisure in relation to physical, intellectual, social, and psychological aspects of aging and successful leisure programming in community based settings and in long term care.

RPLS 583 (3) Legal Processes in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services

This course consists of an overview of legislation that directly or indirectly affects recreation, parks, and leisure services past and present, public and private. Students will become participants in the process at several points during the semester.

RPLS 585 (1-3) Selected Topics

RPLS 589 (3) Advancement of the Therapeutic Recreation Profession

This course is designed to develop student's ability to function as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and practice critical thinking, writing, and oral skills related to treatment decisions, ethical issues, progressional issues, and health care delivery systems. Prerequisite: RPLS 274 and 547; EDFN 235 Human Development

RPLS 590 (2-4) Workshop

RPLS 591 (1-6) In-Service

Special offering for recreation, parks, and leisure services personnel in a variety of service-oriented areas.

RPLS 610 (2) Programming Leisure Time Activities

Planning leisure-time programs to meet the contemporary needs of a variety of client groups. Students will develop their personal and professional philosophy towards provision of leisure services. Various planning techniques incorporating concepts of building community coalitions and emphasizing collaboration and synergism will be emphasized.

RPLS 620 (3) Field Research Project

Research pursued within a recreation, parks, and leisure services agency or program.

RPLS 677 (1-6) Individual Study

Opportunity for advanced independent study and research designed by student and faculty advisor.

RPLS 691 (1-6) In-Service

RPLS 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper

RPLS 697 (1-6) Internship

Field experience focused on development of competencies in recreation, parks, and leisure service settings. For majors only.

RPLS 699 (3-6) Thesis