SUNY Delhi - Academics - Catalog 11

Natural Resource Recreation and Sports: Park and Outdoor Recreation - AAS

The Field

The Natural Resource Recreation and Sports (NRRS) curriculum provides students the opportunity to obtain a general background in leisure studies while focusing their studies on one of six concentrations: Recreation and Sports Management, Adventure Recreation, Park and Outdoor Recreation, Physical Education Studies, Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) 2+2 transfer program, or Forest Technology 1+1 transfer program. The program is designed to prepare students for post-graduation careers, while at the same time offer flexibility for students to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

The Instructional Program

Students who successfully complete the program receive either an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or, in the case of Physical Education Studies, an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, with the exception of the Forest Technology concentration. For those students wishing to continue on for a bachelor degree, the NRRS program has developed tremendous rapport with many four-year colleges and universities, both in and out of New York State.

The core courses of the NRRS program emphasize theoretical and practical application of park, recreation, leisure, physical education, and natural-resource management. Small class sizes allow for considerable individual contact between instructors and students. This one-on-one, hands-on atmosphere is the cornerstone of the program.

The NRRS program faculty view student advisement as one of their most important responsibilities. Students can fully develop the coursework necessary for their concentration while at the same time addressing individual interests and needs through consultation with their faculty advisor.

Career Options

Each of the program concentrations offers students a number of opportunities. In addition to the theoretical background associated with each of the concentrations, students in the NRRS program gain a tremendous amount of practical experience that is applicable to numerous leisure-oriented jobs. Graduates of the program find opportunities as park managers, recreation leaders, aquatics specialists, campground managers, sports specialists, outdoor adventure guides, park rangers, fitness or sport center directors, social directors, activity directors in therapeutic and resort settings, outdoor educators, recreation therapy aides, conservation officers, and many more. Program concentrations are also designed to assist students in obtaining various certifications relative to the field, including NYS guiding license, kayaking instructor, wilderness first aid, and adventure-program facilitator, among others.

Park and Outdoor Recreation

Designed to meet a variety of venues, the Park and Outdoor Recreation concentration prepares students for many different positions because of its flexible design. Through selected electives, students can focus their studies on work environments such as state, local, and national park systems; municipal recreation; quasi-public recreation; or commercial recreation. Regardless of the direction, students can take advantage of post-graduation employment opportunities in the field or continue on with their education. As with all of the concentrations in the NRRS program, practical experience is stressed.

Transfer Options

SUNY ESF/Syracuse Connection

Students interested in either of the two Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) advisement options below must discuss this with their academic advisor upon acceptance to the college.

The ESF articulation program is designed for those students who ultimately desire a Bachelor of Science degree in the environmental sciences and/or forestry. After the first two years of study at SUNY Delhi, students may transfer to a four-year college or university to major in any one of a number of programs. Delhi has a special cooperative transfer program with The College of ESF at Syracuse. Graduates of Delhi's ESF advisement option receive an A.A.S. in Individual Studies and generally gain admission with full junior-class status to ESF, as well as other four-year colleges.

Delhi also offers a one-plus-one concentration for students who desire an A.A.S. degree in Forest Technology through ESF's School of Forest Technology at Wanakena. Students receive a liberal arts background with an emphasis in mathematics and science during the first year of study at Delhi. The second year is spent at ESF's Wanakena Campus, located on the western edge of the Adirondack Mountains. Courses at Wanakena are almost totally technical in nature, and 50 percent of students' studies are devoted to field exercises.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code: 1564

SUNY General Education Requirements: Students who intend to receive A.A., A.S., or baccalaureate degrees must satisfy SUNY and campus General Education (GE) requirements to graduate. Students should be aware that GE requirements may vary by academic program. Consult with your academic advisor. For general information, see the "General Education" section of this catalog.

A.A.S. and A.O.S. degree students may not be required to fulfill General Education (GE) requirements; however, any student who may wish to transfer should complete as many GE courses as possible. Consult with your academic advisor.

Core Concentration Courses:

Course No.

Course

Cr. Hrs.

LARC 120

Landscape Graphics

2

PEDC 220

Wilderness First Responder

3

OR

PEDH 220

First Aid: Responding to Emergencies

2

PRKM 100

Orientation to Recreation and Physical Education

1

PRKM 110

Introduction to Recreation and Physical Education

3

PRKM 130

Program Planning and Leadership

3

PRKM 200

Design and Development of Park and Recreation Facilities

3

PRKM 210

Outdoor Education and Camping

4

PRKM 220

Park and Recreation Administration

3

PRKM 230

Park and Recreation Internship I

3

PRKM 255

Park and Recreation Maintenance Management

3

PRKM 280

Service Learning in Parks and Recreation

3

PRKM ___

Adventure Recreation Activity Elective

1

____ ___

Restricted Electives by advisement

6

Total

37-38

Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Courses:

Course No.

Course

Cr. Hrs.

BIOL 110

Environmental Issues and Sustainability

3

BIOL 140

Field Biology

4

COMM 100

Public Speaking

3

ENGL ___

Freshman Composition or Advanced Composition ¹

3

MATH ___

Mathematics ²

3-4

____ ___

Humanities or Social Science Elective

3

____ ___

Laboratory Science Elective

4

____ ___

Social Science Elective

3

Total

26-27

Degree Requirement: 63-65 credit hours

Notes

¹ English is by placement according to competency.

² Mathematics is by placement according to competency

Technical Standards: In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

be a high school graduate with a minimum 75% overall average or a minimum 2500 GED test score
have 73% or higher on the Algebra and the Biology Regents exams

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Park and Outdoor Recreation A.A.S. program should be able to:

Discuss the academic and career opportunities available in the field of park and outdoor recreation and have a working knowledge of how to utilize these opportunities.
Discuss the philosophy, history, scope, and significance of the park and outdoor recreation movement.
Select the appropriate sport, game, or outdoor activity for various situations in a park and/or recreational setting.
Plan and supervise recreation programs for governmental, non-profit, and commercial agencies.
Understand and apply fundamental concepts, principles, and procedures for the planning, development, and design of recreational resources, areas, and facilities.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of park and recreation administration.
Understand the relationships between organisms and their physical and biological environments, and the structure and function of ecosystems, communities, and populations.
Demonstrate a thorough grounding in the theory and application of at least one specific area of the physical education discipline, such as: cross-country skiing, swimming, golf, tennis, fitness for life, team sports, volleyball, weight training, or badminton.
Demonstrate practical experience in the field of parks and outdoor recreation management.
Develop and lead a recreation activity.
Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
LARC 120	Landscape Graphics	2
PEDC 220	Wilderness First Responder	3
	OR
PEDH 220	First Aid: Responding to Emergencies	2
PRKM 100	Orientation to Recreation and Physical Education	1
PRKM 110	Introduction to Recreation and Physical Education	3
PRKM 130	Program Planning and Leadership	3
PRKM 200	Design and Development of Park and Recreation Facilities	3
PRKM 210	Outdoor Education and Camping	4
PRKM 220	Park and Recreation Administration	3
PRKM 230	Park and Recreation Internship I	3
PRKM 255	Park and Recreation Maintenance Management	3
PRKM 280	Service Learning in Parks and Recreation	3
PRKM ___	Adventure Recreation Activity Elective	1
____ ___	Restricted Electives by advisement	6
	Total	37-38