The Department of Parks and Recreation/Environmental Education offers a diverse academic program. The bachelor of science in parks and recreation offers three options: park and resource management, resort recreation management/tourism, and therapeutic recreation services.
The department cooperates closely with a number of government and private agencies and organizations in an effort to provide quality academic and practicum experiences. Special study opportunities in interpretive services, park law enforcement, and park and open space planning are available. A cooperative education program, which permits students to alternate semesters of work and study, is available in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service.

The Seasonal Ranger Training Program qualifies students for seasonal law enforcement commissions with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other park agencies.

The department cooperates in the operation of the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research. Cooperative agreements with a variety of resort and recreation, environment, and health-related agencies provide ample opportunities for students to acquire a sound base in the practical application of theory, knowledge, and skills provided in the classroom.

Graduates of the department’s programs are currently employed in positions within the park, recreation and environmental education fields. Many are serving as resort recreation directors, YMCA directors, therapeutic recreation specialists, national and state park rangers and managers, park naturalists, outdoor recreation planners, environmental educators, and other similar positions.

All parks and recreation and non-teaching certified environmental education majors must qualify for department advanced standing prior to enrollment in PREE 450. A copy of the requirements for advanced standing is available in the department office.

Program in Parks and Recreation

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Major: Parks and Recreation/Environmental Education (60 credits)

Requirements for All Specializations
Core Courses (27 credits): PREE 110, 120, 207 or CPSC 110 (RRM/T), PREE 318, 415, and 450
(Therapeutic Recreation Specialization (24 credits) does not require 207 or CPSC 110)
Track Courses (33-36 credits)
Professional Electives (7 credits selected in consultation with advisor)

Specialization in Park and Resource Management (33 credits)
PREE 170, 211, 213, 260, 261, 313, 347, 351, 372, 377, 378, 475. Elective tracks in park and open space planning, park law enforcement, environmental education/interpretation, and outdoor leadership.

Specialization in Resort Recreation Management/Tourism (33 credits)
PREE 215, 230, 234, 311, 316, 351, 411, 416, 436, ACCT 205 or 209, and MRKT 230

Specialization in Therapeutic Recreation Services (36 credits)
PREE 220, 229, 232, 233, 319, 320, 351, 420, 423, ERS 264, 375, and CEDP 248

Degree Completion in Four Years
Park and Resource Management

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
PREE 110, 120, 170, 207	12		PREE 213, 260, 261	9
ENG 101, 103 (LS)	6		COMM 200 (LS)	3
Liberal Studies	9		PESM (LS)	2
			Liberal Studies	15
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	29
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
PREE 313, 347, 372, 378	12		PREE 318, 377, 415, 475	12
Liberal Studies	12		PREE Electives	7
PREE 351 (summer)	3		Liberal Studies	6
			PREE 450 (summer)	12
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	36
			Completion Hours	128

Degree Completion in Four Years
Resorts Recreation Management/Tourism

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
PREE 110, 120, 215	9		PREE 230, 234	6
ENG 101, 103 (LS)	6		CPSC 110	3
Liberal Studies	12		COMM 200 (LS)	3
			PESM (LS)	2
			Liberal Studies	15
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	29
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
PREE 313, 316,411	9		PREE 318, 415, 416, 436	12
ACCT 205	3		PREE Electives	7
MRKT 230	3		Liberal Studies	6
Liberal Studies	9		PREE 450 (summer)	12
PREE 351 (summer)	3
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	37
			Completion Hours	120

Degree Completion in Four Years
Therapeutic Recreation

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
PREE 110, 120, 232	9		PREE 220, 229, 233	9
ENG 101, 103 (LS)	6		CEDP 248	3
Liberal Studies	12		COMM 200 (LS)	3
			PESM (LS)	2
			Liberal Studies	12
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	29
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
PREE 319, 320	6		PREE 318, 415, 420, 423	12
ERS 264, 375	6		PREE Electives	7
Liberal Studies	12		Liberal Studies	6
PREE 351 (summer)	3		PREE 450 (summer)	12
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	37
			Completion Hours	120

Therapeutic recreation specialists, also known as recreational therapists, use selective activities to address the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of persons with illness or disability. Activity modalities and intervention techniques are utilized to improve function/health and to promote independence and wellness.

The bachelor of science degree emphasis in therapeutic recreation supplements a solid liberal studies foundation with course work related to human development/growth and movement. Field work, practicum, and a culminating internship assist students in gaining experience in a TR setting prior to graduation. In addition, students may choose from several specialty tracks which offer focused coursework to enhance knowledge and skills in a given area, i.e., mental health, rehabilitation, corrections, gerontology, and community. Minors are also available in related areas such as gerontology, exceptionalities, psychology, sociology, and adapted physical activity and rehabilitation.

The therapeutic recreation program is designed with the intent that students will meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Council for Certification.

Therapeutic Recreation Certification Requirements:
In addition to the 60 credits required in the Therapeutic Recreation major both PSYC 105 and 276 must be completed by the student to be eligible to take the NCTRC Certification Exam.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education
Major: Environmental Education
See the Environmental Education section.
See also Teacher Education Policy Manual, available in 105 McKay Education Building.

Program in Environmental Education

Coordinator
Daniel Dziubek

Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education Director
Paulette Johnson

The degree program in environmental education is administered by the Department of Parks and Recreation/Environmental Education. It provides K-12 teacher certification in environmental education and is the only four-year degree program in environmental education within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A non-certification option is also available. Students receive practicum and other experiences from a wide variety of public and private education programs, including the McKeever Environmental Learning Center, operated by Slippery Rock University, and the Jennings Environmental Education Center, operated by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Special opportunities are provided through many programs such as Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Keystone Aquatic Resource Education, and a number of other nationally recognized environmental education curricula.

Graduates are currently serving as teachers, environmental education coordinators, environmental center directors, park naturalists and interpretive specialists, conservation district executives, and administrators in a variety of educational and resource-oriented agencies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education
Major: Environmental Education (60 credits)

Required Professional Education Courses (39 credits)
CEDP 248, 342, ELEC 320, 332, 362, PREE 455, SEFE 200, 230, 270, 380.

Required Environmental Education Courses (21 credits)
G&ES 135, PREE 160, 260, 261, 351, 361, 464

Professional Electives (7 credits selected in consultation with advisor)

*Non-certification majors take PREE 450 (Internship) instead of PREE 455 (Student Teaching.)

Note: Admission to and retention in this teacher education program are prerequisites for teacher education coursework; minimum QPA and major QPA prerequisites also apply. See Teacher Education Policy Manual, available in 105 McKay Education Building and on the College of Education homepage.

Department advanced standing status is required for non-teaching certification students prior to enrollment in PREE 450. Details are available in the Department of Parks and Recreation/Environmental Education or from the student’s advisor.

For other degree programs administered by the Department of Parks and Recreation/Environmental Education see the Parks and Recreation section.

Degree Completion in Four Years
Environmental Education
(BSEd with or without Certification Option)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
PREE 160	3		PREE 260, 261	6
SEFE 200	3		SEFE 230	3
ENGL 101, 103	6		CEDP 248	3
G&ES 135	3		COMM 200	3
Liberal Studies	12		PESM (LS)	2
			Liberal Studies	12
Total Hours	27		Total Hours	29
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
PREE 361, 464	6		ELEC 320, 332, 362	9
SEFE 270, 380	6		PREE Electives	7
CEDP 342	3		Liberal Studies	3
Liberal Studies	15		PREE 455 (with cert.) or PREE 450 (without cert.)	12
PREE 351 (summer)	3
Total Hours	33		Total Hours	31
			Completion Hours	120

Institute for the Environment
The Institute for the Environment at Slippery Rock University started operation in 1994. Its mission is to provide interdisciplinary, interuniversity, and international opportunities for faculty, students, staff, and community members to work together for the improvement of the total environment (physical, biological, human). Institute members will serve as environmental leaders through scholarly endeavors such as research, grant writing, curriculum development, university and community service, and international experience.

Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education
Executive Director
Paulette Johnson                  724-738-4555

Slippery Rock University serves as the designated host site for the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education, a program designed to facilitate the implementation of environmental education statewide. The center was created by an executive order by the governor in late 1996. In addition to the State System of Higher Education, other executive committee members include: Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Inc., Pennsylvania Business & Industry Coalition of Environmental Education, Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Wild Resource Conservation Board.

The center is working toward facilitating sustainable environmental education, creating partnerships that enhance cooperation between state agencies, business and industry, and non-government programs dealing with various segments of the commonwealth’s environmental health. It will also assist in securing funding for environmental education programs throughout the state.