Recreation and Sport Services (B.S.)

Major code BS5519*

Patton College of Education
Recreation, Sport Pedagogy and Consumer Sciences
Patton Hall 202
Athens, OH 45701
740.593.4400
education@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/zanesville/future-students/bachelor-degrees/sport-lifestyle-studies

Kathy Normansell, Program Coordinator
normanse@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The Recreation in Sport Services program is offered through Ohio University’s Department of Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences on the Eastern campus, Lancaster campus, and Zanesville campus. This major provides a broad background in the recreation, sports, health and fitness professions preparing graduates for meaningful employment in the field of sports and recreation. Courses emphasize practical skills in leadership, critical thinking, and creative problem solving within the Liberal Arts tradition, which are also transferrable to a wide range of non-recreation employment opportunities. The flexibility in course selection, along with the requirement for a minor or certificate, allows students to tailor the degree towards their personal needs and interests, thus enhancing their potential to meet community job market demands. Students who follow advising guidelines may be able to complete two minors or a double major. The Recreation and Sport Services program may also serve as a degree completion program for transfer students with an associate degree with an emphasis in sport, recreation, or fitness.

*This program was previously BS5512 - Sport and Lifestyle Studies. The requirements for students entering either program in the 2024-25 catalog year are the same and are listed below. BS5519 - Recreation and Sport Services will award the Bachelor of Science degree effective the 2024-25 catalog year.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond Ohio University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements. Students must receive a C or higher in any major required course.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students transferring with an Associate Degree from another institution may seek written permission from the Program Coordinator to waive the minor requirement.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Graduates of the Recreation and Sport Services program will be prepared for work in a variety of sport and activity settings. Previous graduates have gained employment with minor league baseball, community recreation and fitness centers, city Parks and Recreation Departments, high school athletics programs and senior living centers. Others have continued their education in a Masters degree program or sought non-recreation jobs in business management and ownership.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements

Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.

Core Requirements

Complete the following courses from each of the three content areas with an average GPA of 2.0.

Experiential Learning in Commercial Recreation and Sport Services

Complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher:

PAW 1XXX - Complete any 2 one-credit hour PAW 1000-level courses
REC 1XXX - Complete any 2 one-credit hour REC 1000-level courses

REC 4920 - Practicum in Recreation and Leisure Credit Hours: 1 - 15
SLS 4500 - Capstone in Sport and Lifestyle Studies Credit Hours: 3

Minor/Certificate Requirement

All Recreation and Sport Services majors are required to complete a minor or certificate program under consultation with their advisor. Students transferring to Ohio University with an associate or baccalaureate degree may apply in writing to the Program Coordinator to have the minor/certificate requirement waived.

The following minors and certificates are relevant and feasible for RHE students to pursue. Those minors and certificates listed below can further enhance students’ marketability for prospective jobs post-graduation. Minors and certificate vary in delivery modality (in-person or online).

Students are free to choose an alternative minor or certificate in consultation with their academic advisor.

Electives

Complete additional courses to fulfill the University’s 120 credit hour graduation requirement. Selection of elective courses should be done in consultation with a student’s academic advisor to assist students in meeting professional and academic goals.