GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism

 

PRLS 241 (Section 001) – PRLS Practicum (3)

Spring 2012

 

DAY/TIME: TBD by site                                    LOCATION:  approved GMU affiliated site  

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. James C. Kozlowski            E-MAIL:               jkozlows@gmu.edu

OFFICE:  220a Occoquan Bldg.                          CELL PHONE:     703.455.8474

OFFICE HOURS:  by appointment                      PHONE:               703.993.2027

 

PREREQUISITES:  Sophomore status or higher in Parks and Outdoor Recreation (POR) or Therapeutic Recreation (TR) concentration or POR/TR minor

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

Directed practicum experience at the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center, EDGE or other approved site under supervision of a GMU adjunct faculty on site supervisor and POR faculty advisor. Opportunities provide for student to develop knowledge, values, and beginning practice skills appropriate for entry-level practice in Parks and Outdoor Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation agencies.  Students are expected to work 120 hours within a period of 10 to 14 weeks.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

 

1. Experienced various aspects of facility operation (staff, organizational structure, funding base, clientele, budget, etc.).

 

3. Gain administrative, leadership and/or programming experience in the provision of parks and outdoor recreation/ therapeutic recreation services.

 

4. Gain experience in the development, maintenance and/or management of parks and outdoor recreation/ therapeutic recreation services.

 

5. Develop new understanding of internship and career prospects in the field of parks and outdoor recreation/ therapeutic recreation.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION STANDARDS

 

Further, upon completion of this course, students will meet the following professional accreditation standards:

 

Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Related Professions standards met

 

8.41 — Field experience prior to internship.

 

NATURE OF COURSE DELIVERY

 

Pre-internship field field experience at an approved GMU affiliated site

 

EVALUATION: 

At the conclusion of the practicum, the on-site supervisor will attest to the satisfactory completion of the 120 hours of required field experience.  The student will receive a grade of ÒCreditÓ for satisfactory completion of the 120 hours of required field experience.  A grade of ÒNo CreditÓ will be entered if the student fails to complete, quantitatively and/or qualitatively, the 120 hours of required field experience in a manner considered satisfactory by the on-site supervisor.

 

Depending upon the individual administrative procedures of the practicum site for existing personnel, the on-site supervisor will develop a procedure to track the hours logged by the individual student to meet the 120 hour practicum requirement.  In addition, depending upon the existing evaluation and personnel procedures of the practicum site for existing personnel, the on-site supervisor, to the extent practicable,will develop a procedure to provide ongoing feedback and evaluation to the individual practicum student, as well as an exit interview/evaluation at the completion of the practicum experience.  To the extent such evaluation materials are produced, at the discretion of the on-site supervisor, they will be made available to the student and faculty advisor for PRLS 241.

 

REQUIREMENTS: 

 

Under the direction of an on-site supervisor, 120 hours of field experience which satisfies the course objectives of the practicum and meets the needs of the facility.  In the PRLS 241 Practicum, the focus is on providing each student with hands-on practical experience in programming and facility management.

For PRLS majors and minors, the PRLS 241 practicum is generally limited to one of three possible GMU affiliated sites: EDGE with Susan Johnson sjohnsoi@gmu.edu  as the on-site supervisor, the Freedom Center with Leslie Shinners lshinner@gmu.edu  as on-site supervisor, on-site supervisors for the PRLS 241 Practicum are also adjunct faculty in the PRLS program.

 

On a limited basis and subject to the expressed approval of Dr. Brenda Wiggins bwiggins@gmu.edu, PRLS majors with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation (TR) may also complete the practicum with the Mason LIFE program with Dr. Heidi Graff and Fairfax County's Neighborhood and Community Services-Therapeutic Recreation section with Natalie Haynes Natalie.Haynes@fairfaxcounty.gov as on-site supervisor, depending on availability .

 

GRADING SCALE

 

S (satisfactory) completion of all required hours, and above described course requirements in a satisfactory fashion as confirmed by the GMU affiliated on-site supervisor.

 

NC (no credit) failure to comple all required hours, and above described course requirements in a satisfactory fashion as confirmed by the GMU affiliated on-site supervisor.

 

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

 

Based on the individual student's background and interests, as well as the needs of a particular facility, the on-site supervisor will work with the student to produce an individualized practicum schedule which can include a variety of work-related experiences. 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Expectations

 

á     Students must adhere to the guidelines of the George Mason University Honor Code [See http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode/].

 

á     Students with disabilities who seek accommodations in a course must be registered with the George Mason University Office of Disability Services (ODS) and inform their instructor, in writing, at the beginning of the semester [See http://ods.gmu.edu/].

 

á     Students must follow the university policy for Responsible Use of Computing [See http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/1301gen.html]. 

 

á     Students are responsible for the content of university communications sent to their George Mason University email account and are required to activate their account and check it regularly. All communication from the university, college, school, and program will be sent to students solely through their Mason email account.

 

á     Students must follow the university policy stating that all sound emitting devices shall be turned off during class unless otherwise authorized by the instructor.

 

á     Students are expected to exhibit professional behaviors and dispositions at all times.

 

Campus Resources

 

á     The George Mason University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff consists of professional counseling and clinical psychologists, social workers, and counselors who offer a wide range of services (e.g., individual and group counseling, workshops and outreach programs) to enhance studentsÕ personal experience and academic performance [See http://caps.gmu.edu/].

 

á     The George Mason University Writing Center staff provides a variety of resources and services (e.g., tutoring, workshops, writing guides, handbooks) intended to support students as they work to construct and share knowledge through writing [See http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/].

 

á     For additional information on the College of Education and Human Development, School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, please visit our website [See http://rht.gmu.edu].

 

 

CORE VALUES COMMITMENT: The College of Education and Human Development is committed to collaboration, ethical leadership, innovation, research-based practice, and social justice. Students are expected to adhere to these principles.