Accreditation

Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
Radford University's Recreation, Parks and Tourism program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). It is the oldest accredited program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. COAPRT accredits baccalaureate programs in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation and leisure studies offered at regionally accredited institutions within the United States and its territories, and at nationally accredited institutions in Canada and Mexico. COAPRT is, in turn, accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Important Information about Degree and Accreditation Mills

Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "Degree mills and accreditation mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education.

“Accreditation” from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of an institution. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a usable credential." Read more on CHEA's website.

CHEA requires accredited institutions to inform the public about degree and accreditation mills. Cautions concerning these are summarized on the CHEA website.

Suggested Evidence of Compliance

The institution is required by COAPRT to publish aggregated results of learning outcomes or assessment results indicating the quality of the program. The following is a sampling of these materials.

Using a six-year average (2019-2020 through 2024-2025) , the program graduates 37 students per year. There is a 67% six-year graduation rate for majors.
New freshmen retention rate for students that started the program in fall 2024 is 88%.
The 2023-2024 average student teaching evaluations for the RCPT Department are 4.21 on a five-point scale. This is on par with the College of Education and Human Development (4.38) and the University (4.37).
Students who complete the recreation therapy concentration are eligible for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. Of the twenty students who took the exam between 2023 and 2025, 70% passed. The national average was 80.5%.
Of those students applying for graduate school, 100% have been accepted. Eighty-five percent of students have employment (full or part-time) upon graduation.

Assessment Results

COAPRT Standard 7.01

Competency: Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.

Student Learning Outcome: Recreation, Parks and Tourism students will demonstrate competency in foundational knowledge associated with the profession by recalling, explaining, and recognizing theories and philosophies that support professional practice.

Method of Assessment: Embedded test questions in introductory courses (RCPT 112 & RCPT 210). Embedded test questions evaluated student knowledge of theories and philosophies that support professional practice within parks, tourism, recreation, and other related fields.

Results: In RCPT 112 embedded test questions, 80% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard. In RCPT 210 embedded test questions, 88% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard.

COAPRT Standard 7.02

Competency: Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.

Student Learning Outcomes: RCPT students will demonstrate competency in program leadership by understanding and applying program leadership and facilitation.

Method of Assessment: Combination of embedded rubrics in courses (RCPT 112 & RCPT 350). Embedded rubric for RCPT 112 leadership experience assignment evaluated students' ability to demonstrate their ability to lead and facilitate a group based, age-appropriate activity while utilizing leadership concepts of safety, creativity, and proper transitions. Embedded rubric for RCPT 350 feasibility project assignment evaluated students' ability to demonstrate competence in creating and presenting a business model within parks, tourism, recreation, and other related fields which includes an analysis and presentation of regulations and risks, location, management, market, finances, and feasibility of a business within the profession.

Results: In RCPT 112 embedded rubric for leadership and facilitation experience assignment, 67% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard. In RCPT 350 embedded rubric for feasibility project assignment, 100% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard.

COAPRT Standard 7.03

Competency: Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions.

Student Learning Outcome: RCPT students will demonstrate competency in administrative and management functions by recalling, explaining, and applying basic fiscal and human resource management skills.

Method of Assessment: Combination of embedded test questions in course (RCPT 423). Embedded test questions RCPT 423 evaluated students' ability to recall basic fiscal and human resource management theories, best management practices, budget operation, and organizational structure. Embedded activity assignments for RCPT 423 evaluated students' ability to explain and apply basic human resource management and budgeting processes and marketing and promotion skills.

Results: In RCPT 423 embedded test questions, 89% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard. In RCPT 423 embedded activity assignments, 89% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard.

COAPRT Standard 7.04

Competency: Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours and no fewer than 10 weeks, the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism or related organizations.

Student Learning Outcome: RCPT students will demonstrate competency in professional skills, behavior, and attitude by applying a high level of professional communication.

Method of Assessment: Combination of embedded rubric for the internship packet assignment (RCPT 413) and internship supervisor feedback during the comprehensive internship course (RCPT 470). Embedded rubric for portfolio assignment for RCPT 413 evaluated students' ability to create a cover letter and resume that they can use for internship applications and build upon for future job applications for career placement. Embedded internship supervisor feedback for RCPT 470 evaluated student's performance, growth as a professional, and overall performance as an internship within parks, tourism, recreation, and other related fields.

Results: In RCPT 413 embedded internship packet assignment, 94% of students achieved a score of 70% or better on this standard. In RCPT 470 embedded internship supervisor feedback, 100% of students achieved a satisfactory feedback report on this standard.

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