Undergraduate Academic Programs

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Recreation (BSR), Recreation Sport Management Major

Description of Program

The major in recreational sport management prepares students to assume leadership positions in all types of participatory sports programs. This specialization focuses on the management of people and resources in recreational sports but provides students with a skill set to work in a variety of settings in the sport continuum.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Recreation degree with a major in recreational sport management will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the recreational sport management program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

  • The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
  • The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation as a recreational sport management major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

  • The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
  • The student must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in recreational sport management to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status.

International transfer applicants to the School of HPER, whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper- based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test, is required for direct admission to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. For students from countries where the TOEFL is not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take the Indiana University English language examination before registering for course work. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of test results.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering.  Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section.  There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity.  

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements.  If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency.  If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country.  In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Recreation degree with a major in recreational sport management.  This major program prepares students to assume leadership positions in all types of participatory sports programs. This specialization focuses on the management of people and resources in recreational sports, and provides students with a skill set to work in a variety of settings in the sport continuum. A minimum of 26 successfully completed credit hours and a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) are required for admission to this program.  Graduation requirements include:

  • completion of general education requirements.
  • completion of recreational sport management major requirements.
  • a minimum of 124 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses with the following department code-prefixes: HPER-R and HPER-L. 
  • No Pass/Fail except for free electives.
General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students at IU Bloomington in or after the summer term of 2011 must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2011-2012 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students on the IU Bloomington campus in the summer or fall terms of 2010, or the spring term of 2011, must complete the School of HPER general education requirements which are described below. Unlike the 2011-2112 Bloomington campus-wide general education requirements, the 2010 School of HPER general education requirements do not include a residency requirement, nor do they restrict the use of extended-term, independent study or correspondence courses.

2010 School of HPER General Education Requirements

English Composition (0 to 3 credits required, C- minimum required in the course used to satisfy this requirement)
Complete one of the following options:

  • CMCL-C 110 Writing the World (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W 170 Introduction to Argumentative Writing: Projects in Reading and Writing (3 cr. - this topic only)
  • ENG-W 131 EX Elementary Composition by Examination (0 cr.)

Mathematical Modeling (3 to 4 credits required)
Complete one of the following options:

  • MATH-A 118 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
  • MATH-D 116 AND MATH-D 117 Introduction to Finite Mathematics I-II (4 cr.)
  • MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-S 118 Honors Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
  • MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite and Consumer Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-J 113 Introduction to Calculus with Applications (3 cr.)
  • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus 1 (3 cr.)
  • MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.)
  • MATH-M 213 Accelerated Calculus (4 cr.)

Note: The course(s) used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be applied to the natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

Natural and Mathematical Sciences (5 to 6 cr.)

Complete either six credits of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses, or a single, approved, five-credit N&M course with a substantial laboratory component. The course used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be used to fulfill this requirement. Visit the list of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses for choices and more information.

Arts and Humanities (6 credits required)
Complete six credits of acceptable arts and humanities (A&H) courses.

Social and Historical Studies (6 credits required.)
Complete six credits of acceptable social and historical studies (S&H) courses.

World Languages and Cultures (0 to 14 cr., most commonly 6 credits)
There are three options for completion of the world languages and cultures requirement.

Major (93 cr.)

Professional Recreation Requirement (45 cr.)
(A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in the following courses.)
Complete each of the following courses:

  • HPER-R 160 Foundations of Recreation and Leisure (3 cr.) +(S&H)
  • HPER-R 231 Careers in Leisure Service (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 237 Computers in Park, Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Management (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 266 Recreation Facility Management (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 270 Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 272 Recreation Activities and Leadership Methods (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 301 Internship Preparation (1 cr.)
  • HPER-R 363 Professional Internship (14 cr.)
  • HPER-R 367 Event Planning and Program Development (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 390 Statistical Applications in Leisure Studies (3 cr.) or ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics (3 cr.) or MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or PSY-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or SOC-S 371 Statistics for Sociology or SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 466 Management of Leisure Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 490 Research and Evaluation (3 cr.)

Recreational Sport Management Specialization Requirement (33 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

  • HPER-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.) +(S&H)
  • HPER-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.)
  • HPER-P 216 Concepts and Applications in Physical Fitness (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 206 Recreational Sport Programming (3 cr.) (minimum grade of C)
  • HPER-R 326 Customer Service and Media Relations (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 354 Sport and Violence (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 411 Legal Issues in Sport Settings (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 422 Marketing for Leisure Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 451 Fiscal Management of Leisure Service Organizations (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 471 Human Resource Management of Leisure Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 472 Youth Sport Mgmt (3 cr.) (minimum grade of C)

Professional Elective Requirement (15 cr.)
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following professional electives:

  • HPER-P 333 Sport in America: Historical Perspectives (3 cr.)
  • HPER-P 392 Sport in American Society (3 cr.)
  • HPER-P 416 Fitness Management (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 202 Aquatic Facility Operator (2 cr.)
  • HPER-P 217 Methods of Group Exercise Instruction (3 cr.)
  • HPER-P 218 Methods of Personal Fitness Instructn  (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 236 Tourism and Commercial Recreation (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 282 Leadership Strategies and Diversity Applications (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 302 Aquatic Management (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 340 Leisure in Modern Society (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 365 Leisure and Aging (3 cr.)
  • HPER-T 101 Introduction to Resource Development and Fund Raising (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.)

+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Special Opportunities

Direct experience in the area of recreational sports is an important component of the undergraduate option. During the course of their studies, students have the opportunity to work and train in a variety of professional recreational sport management settings. Through class practica, projects, internship opportunities, and field experiences, students learn leadership, management, programming, marketing and evaluation, legal aspects of sport, and communication skills. The Recreational Sport Management Club is a student club that promotes the professional development of its majors and sponsors guest speakers, social activities, field trips, and other events.

Careers

Recreational sport management graduates pursue careers in a variety of sport settings including municipal parks and recreation, YMCAs, boys’ and girls’ clubs, fitness centers, college sport programs, industrial settings, commercial recreation, resort/tourism, amateur athletics, and military recreation. Job titles include sport programmer, supervisor, leader, activity specialist, or counselor, among others.

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