University News

WIU RPTA Now Offering BS and MS Degree Completion Options for Remote Students

March 22, 2021

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration is using technology to achieve its mission of providing dynamic, highly-effective learning opportunities for personal and career development, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the state and beyond.

As with so many other aspects of life, the pandemic provided an opportunity for the department to consider ways technology could be better used to meet student and community needs. RPTA engaged in conversations with its current students, departmental advisory board and industry leaders, and committed to finding ways to deliver curriculum without losing the personal engagement and experiential learning opportunities that have been integral to the department's success for the last 50 years.

The department recognizes that work obligations and distance make it difficult for some students, especially those with employment and familial responsibilities, to relocate or travel to campus.

"Anecdotally, we knew there was a group of alumni and practitioners who wanted to complete their graduate degrees with us, but they couldn't be here physically because of the commute times," said RPTA Graduate Coordinator Jeremy Robinett. "They told us that they could arrange their lunch hours and other commitments to join us via class times during the days, but they couldn't add in commute times and still work full time. They wanted to come to us because they recognized the importance of personal engagement and experiential learning from their undergraduate studies. We knew that technology could be a way to solve this."

After a thorough review of its programs and curriculum, courses are now being offered in a variety of ways that facilitate students being able to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees in RPTA on the Macomb campus, and remotely. Most core courses are being offered through livestream delivery, which allows students the choice of being in a classroom with the professor, or joining in real-time via technologies like Google Meets and Zoom.

"In today's world we realize not every student may want to be on campus every day to complete their degrees. We needed to be flexible, so WIU RPTA now offers students, from anywhere in the world with internet, the opportunity to complete our core courses online, via livestreaming at the graduate and undergraduate levels," said Interim RPTA Chair Mike Lukkarinen. "They can then blend in-person, livestream, and synchronously and asynchronously delivered electives to complete their degree requirements. Students can now complete the BS and MS in RPTA, as well as minors in nonprofit administration and youth leadership on the Macomb campus, or remotely. Students can also complete the minor in RPTA entirely via asynchronous online delivery. The ability to do all of this enables student access to a top-notch professional preparation program. Throughout their programs, they are also introduced to engaged and loyal alumni and industry leaders which helps them as they start or try to move up in the field."

Students and practitioners interested in learning more about the remote delivery options available should contact Lukkarinen at rpta@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing