Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University
Granted 20th Year of Continuing Accreditation

ASHBURN, VA – November 4 – The National Council on Accreditation of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in cooperation with the American Association for Leisure and Recreation (AALR) granted continuing accreditation to the program in Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University. The announcement was made following NRPA’s 40th Annual Congress & Exposition in San Antonio, Texas.

The program in Leisure Studies was initially accredited by NRPA/AALR in 1985 and has remained continuously accredited since that time. Leisure Studies at Oklahoma State University is the only accredited program in parks, recreation resources, and leisure services in Oklahoma. In addition to the program accreditation, Leisure Studies at OSU is also accredited in two options: Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Services Management.

In granting the continuing accreditation to Leisure Studies at OSU, the Council on Accreditation commended the faculty in the program for their “professional involvement, leadership, and contributions” to the discipline. In addition, the faculty members were commended for the outstanding rapport with students in the program who are also highly involved in state, regional, and national activities.

As examples of the involvement of the faculty members in the profession, Dr. Lowell Caneday is presently a member of the Board of Trustees of NRPA; Dr. Deb Jordan is past-President of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators; Dr. Chris Cashel is a member of the Board for the Society of Park and Recreation Educators; and Dr. Jerry Jordan is a member of the Board of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society. All members of the faculty were in attendance at the Congress in San Antonio, as were approximately 40 students from Leisure Studies.

The program in Leisure Studies offers baccalaureate degrees in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Services Management, in addition to a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. As the only NRPA/AALR accredited program in Oklahoma, OSU is among approximately 100 other universities with accredited programs in recreation, park resources, and leisure services.

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Last Updated Thursday, December 8, 2005