Leisure and Recreational Activities

Overview of Leisure and Recreational Activities as a College Program

Leisure and recreational activities programs are generally administered under the trades or vocations departments of colleges and universities. Leisure and recreational activities programs prepare students to help others achieve high levels of fitness or to coordinate recreational programs for people of different ages. 

Leisure and Recreational Activities Curriculum

Leisure and recreational activities degrees teach students the knowledge required to succeed in different careers associated with recreation and fitness. The curriculum may vary depending on the institution administering the program, but many of the classes remain the same. Some of the courses taught in a leisure and recreational activities degree program include:

  • Recreation leadership
  • Child life
  • Aging processes
  • Personal training
  • Sport liability
  • Nutrition
  • Leisure supervision
  • Business practices
  • Facility design
  • Sport promotion

Education Levels Available for a Leisure and Recreational Activities Degree

Leisure and recreational activities degrees are available at all levels of the educational spectrum. The amount of schooling a student undertakes mainly depends on their career goals. Degrees in leisure and recreational activities are available at the Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degree level.

The Certificate program requires a one-year commitment while the Associate's degree requires two years to finish. A Bachelor's degree in leisure and recreational activities takes about four years to complete. The Master's degree requires two years on top of the Bachelor's degree to finish and the Doctorate requires three years of study.

Skills Developed through a Leisure and Recreational Activities Degree Program

A leisure and recreational activities degree teaches students a variety of skills. Many of these skills are specific to the field of leisure and recreational activities, but others are quite useful outside of your career and in your personal life. Some of the skills that a leisure and recreational activities degree teaches are:

  • Project management skills to coordinate recreational activities
  • Ability to manage employees and motivate them to work to their full potential
  • Understanding of proper nutrition and the right diets for different fitness goals
  • Ability to teach students concepts you learned
  • Financial management and budgeting techniques
  • Communication techniques to speak to clients
  • Exposure to exercise routines and fitness concepts
Where to Obtain a Leisure and Recreational Activities Degree

Leisure and recreational activities degrees are offered through many different colleges, universities and educational programs. They can be earned at community colleges as Associate's degrees. Higher levels of degrees are generally attained through four-year colleges and universities. Leisure and recreational activities degrees can also be obtained online. An online degree is extremely convenient for students who plan to work while getting an education or desire a flexible schedule for other reasons.

Career Opportunities for Leisure and Recreational Activities Majors

Students who complete a leisure and recreational activities degree program have a number of career options available. Leisure and recreational activities degree graduates can find employment as fitness trainers, recreational therapists, and coaches. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of fitness trainers was $29,210 in May 2008. Recreational therapists earned an annual salary of $38,370 while coaches earned $28,340 on average.

We're sorry, we currently do not have any Online schools offering Trades & Vocations programs in Leisure and Recreational Activities. We are working diligently to add more schools to our database. In the meantime, please click here to see if there are any Campus Schools in your area.

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