Recreation Management

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Recreation Management is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the recreation field and provides the first half of a four-year undergraduate program of study in Recreation Management and/or Leadership. The program focuses on the positive application of play, recreation, and leisure across the life span. Along with required general education courses, the program includes foundational and practical experience in the programming and delivery of recreational services and the development of communication, group facilitation, management, leadership and technical skills.

Details

Offered At
Scottsdale
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Recreation Management (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3053
Total credits required
60-67
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Facilitate recreation using the conceptual foundations of play, recreation, and leisure throughout the human lifespan.
  2. Asses the major factors involved in the delivery of leisure services in government, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.
  3. Design recreation services using principles of experiential learning.
  4. Apply safety guidelines and procedures associated with recreational services.
  5. Analyze career opportunities in the field of recreation and leisure.
  6. Demonstrate the basics of supervision including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and evaluating.
  7. Apply various operational strategies in the planning, implementing and evaluating a recreational event or program.
  8. Facilitate diverse groups using the theoretical frameworks, skills and attributes characteristic of recreation management.
  9. Demonstrate effective communication skills in diverse public and interpersonal settings.
  10. Utilize effective customer service in the planning and delivery of recreational services.
  11. Apply ethical and legal principles and protocols in the delivery of leisure and recreation services.
  12. Assess problems to make sound decisions using the theoretical foundation and analytical tools associated with recreation.
  13. Demonstrate the technical skills necessary for the safe participation in recreational activities in a variety of environments.
  14. Develop budgets related to recreational programs.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC120 Leisure and the Quality of Life Gateway course SB 3
REC250 Recreation Leadership 3
RPM135 Managing Community Recreation Organizations 2
RPM150AB Outdoor Adventure Skills 3
RPM140 Wilderness First Aid 2
RPM155++ Recreational Activities course RPM155++ Any Recreational Activities courses (except RPM155AK) 1
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC210 Leisure Delivery Systems 3
REC230 Programming of Recreation Services 3
RPM125 Youth Development Programming 2
RPM145 Interpretation for Recreation 2
RPM155++ Recreational Activities course RPM155++ Any Recreational Activities courses (except RPM155AK) 1
RPM271AC Recreational Resources and Facilities Management Internship 3
RPM155AK Leave No Trace Trainer Certification 1

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication SB or SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MA Mathematics MAT112 Mathematical Concepts and Applications OR higher general education course from the Mathematics area. MA 3–5
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ or
SG
Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General Recommended:
BIO108 Plants and Society
SQ or SG 4
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking Any approved general education course in the Critical Reading area or equivalent as indicated by assessment. CR 0–3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC250 Recreation Leadership 3
RPM135 Managing Community Recreation Organizations 2
RPM155++ Recreational Activities course RPM155++ Any Recreational Activities courses (except RPM155AK) 1
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC210 Leisure Delivery Systems 3
RPM125 Youth Development Programming 2
RPM145 Interpretation for Recreation 2
RPM155++ Recreational Activities course RPM155++ Any Recreational Activities courses (except RPM155AK) 1

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC120 Leisure and the Quality of Life Critical course SB 3
RPM140 Wilderness First Aid 2
RPM150AB Outdoor Adventure Skills 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
REC230 Programming of Recreation Services 3
RPM155AK Leave No Trace Trainer Certification 1
RPM271AC Recreational Resources and Facilities Management Internship 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication SB or SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
MA Mathematics MAT112 Mathematical Concepts and Applications OR higher general education course from the Mathematics area. MA 3–5

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking Any approved general education course in the Critical Reading area or equivalent as indicated by assessment. CR 0–3
SQ or
SG
Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General Recommended:
BIO108 Plants and Society
SQ or SG 4
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm3?id=187202).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.