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WKU Information for:
E.A. Diddle Arena
WKU Hilltopper Blackbag Classic
WKU Challenge Course
Dedication of the WKU McChesney Field Campus
Houchens Industries / L.T. Smith Stadium
Dero Downing University Center
Recreation Administration
About Us
The mission of the Recreation Administration Program is to provide the students in our curriculum with a well-rounded, general education in the field of Recreation by creating a challenging, student-focused learning environment and opportunities to apply the skills and theories taught in the classroom through service to the campus, community, and recreation profession.
The program offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Recreation Administration, a minor in Community Recreation, a minor in Outdoor Leadership, and two interdisciplinary minors in Tourism and Nonprofit Administration. The program also offers a Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sport Administration with on-campus and online options.
Careers
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.
History
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 to be nationally accredited in 1980. Since that time, the program has successfully maintained its accredited status which is reviewed every five years by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions.
Present
The Recreation Administration program has undergone many exciting changes including the hiring of several new faculty, facility renovation, and curriculum revisions. The Recreation Administration program is part of the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport and is housed in the College of Health and Human Services.
