The Recreation Administration program at Western Kentucky University provides professional preparation in recreational services. Since the 1970s, graduates have found employment in a wide variety of recreation careers, including: Municipal parks and recreation departments, State agencies (State Parks, Conservation, Fish and Wildlife), Federal agencies (National Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Military recreation departments (MWR), Organized camps, Youth service agencies (Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H, etc), YMCA, University recreation, and Sport organizations.

The WKU Recreation Administration program was started in 1967 with one full-time and several part-time faculty. The first full-time faculty member was Dr Fred Kirchner. As the program developed, external accreditation offered the opportunity to evaluate the program according to national standards. WKU was one of the first 16 programs accredited by National Recreation and Park Association/American Association for Leisure and Recreation (NRPA/AALR) Council on Accreditation in 1980. Since that time, the program has successfully maintained its accredited status which is reviewed every five years.

The Recreation Administration program has undergone many exciting changes of the last five years including the hiring of new faculty, facility renovation, and curriculum revision. The program continues to offer students a comprehensive professional preparation enabling them to enter the field of recreation with self-confidence, pride, and great expectations.The Recreation Administration program is part of the Department of Physical Education and Recreation and is housed in the College of Health and Human Services. The program offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Recreation Administration, a minor in Recreation Administration, a minor in Outdoor Leadership, and two interdisciplinary minors in Tourism and American Humanics(Nonprofit Administration). The program also offers a Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sport Administration.

The program currently has six full-time faculty, one part-time faculty on optional retirement, and several adjunct instructors. Approximately 125 undergraduate and 20 graduate students call the Recreation Administration home.