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Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Recreation - Outdoor and Environmental Recreation Concentration

USA

What will I learn?

Program Overview

In this major, you'll focus on enhancing the quality of life, and providing social development for people, lifting them up, and creating stronger communities. You'll learn how to combine recreation operations, facilities, marketing, planning, and management to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities. As a student in the recreation program, you'll spend your time doing what you love—and help others make the most of their free time.

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

Recreation is a vital part of health and wellness, but a lot of people find it hard to find time for themselves. As a recreation major, you'll help others learn the importance of finding that time.

You'll choose from one of three concentrations in this major: outdoor and environmental recreation, recreation and event management, and recreation therapy. Each concentration offers extensive opportunities for hands-on, service-learning-based projects and assignments to put your classroom knowledge to use. The unique natural resources of our region, such as 15 area parks, the Chippewa River, and the Great Lakes, offer many opportunities to gain professional skills and contacts through fieldwork, internships, and volunteering.

Students in the recreation and event management program, the first of its kind in Michigan, participate in community projects at sports and entertainment venues, corporate events, and county parks and recreation. Outdoor and environmental recreation students build leadership skills on our rock climbing wall and plan activities for camps and outdoor education programs. Our therapeutic recreation concentration gives you the knowledge, skills, and experience to become a nationally certified therapeutic recreation specialist providing recreational therapy interventions to people with disabilities in a variety of settings.

Before you start your career, you'll get real-world experience. Lots of it. Finish up your academic career with a 30-week internship, the longest of any recreation program in the nation. Our Center for Leisure Services can help you find a perfect match. You might even earn your mouse ears at Disney World, through the Disney College Program.

Our programs have been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions for nearly four decades.

Program Highlights

As a student in our recreation program, you'll:

Be surrounded by an inclusive, welcoming, and passionate faculty and student body in Finch Fieldhouse. Faculty have an open door policy and are on a first-name basis with students.

Be part of an event management program recognized as the world's best by The International Festivals and Events Association.

Surround yourself with high achieving peers — our therapeutic recreation grads pass their certification exam at a 94.9% rate, higher than the national average.

Earn credits while working or volunteering at a camp, nature center, park, or zoo in our outdoor recreation program.

Have opportunities to join many student groups, including the Association of Recreation and Event Professionals, the High Adventure Club, and the Therapeutic Recreation Student Club.

Which department am I in?

College of Education and Human Services

Study options

Full Time (4 years)

Tuition fees
US$19,200.00 per year
Lower Level Tuition (less than 56 credits): USD $19,200 Per Year; Upper Level Tuition (56 credits or more): USD $20,400 Per Year
Application deadline

Expected May 2024

Start date

Expected August 2024

Venue

Central Michigan University

1200 S Franklin St,

MOUNT PLEASANT,

Michigan,

48859, United States

Entry requirements

For international students

  • Students are required to complete all secondary and post-secondary institutions.

English Language Requirements:

  • (TOEFL): A score of 500 PBT/61 IBT is required for admission with stipulations or 550 PBT/79 IBT for regular admission.
  • (IELTS): A score of 5.5 required for admission with stipulations or 6.5 for regular admission.
  • Pearson Test of English: A score of 44 for admission with stipulations or 53 for regular admission.
  • Michigan English Test (MET): A score of 52 is required for regular admission.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): A grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level is required for regular admission.
  • Advanced Placement (AP): A score of 4 on the English Language or English Literature Exams.
  • General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or General Certificate of Education (GSE): a score of A or B on the English Language Exam.
  • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 520
  • ACT English score of 21.
  • ELS Language Center Program: Completion of Level 112 for regular admission.
  • ELI (CMU English Language Program): Successful completion of the required CMU ELI courses with confirmation by the ELI Office.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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