About Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration
Important Update
Effective at the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration (RPTA) will no longer operate as a standalone department.
As part of a strategic restructuring initiative – approved by the Faculty Senate and the University President – RPTA's academic programs have been integrated into other departments with the goal of strengthening academic and career pathways.
Where to Find Your Program Now
The degree programs previously housed in RPTA have been relocated to new academic units. Students should refer to the following departments for advising, course offerings, and program information:
- B.S. in Recreation Administration → Department of Kinesiology (Solano Hall - 3002, kinesiology@csus.edu)
- B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management → Department of Public Health (Solano Hall - 3002, publichealth@csus.edu)
- B.S. in Recreation Therapy → Department of Allied Health Sciences (Solano Hall - 4000,healthscience@csus.edu)
A key aspect of this transition is that faculty members associated with each respective degree program will also be moving to these new departments. This ensures continuity in teaching, advising, and research supervision, allowing students to maintain relationships with their current professors. While there may be minor adjustments to course numbering or scheduling as programs integrate, the core curriculum and learning outcomes of your degree will remain intact.
Transition Plans & Support
We are fully committed to supporting you through this transition and ensuring a smooth path to graduation. Teach-out plans are in place to allow all current students to complete their major or minor requirements within their new departmental homes.
- Academic Advising: Personalized academic advising will be crucial during this period. Current academic advisors will continue to guide students, and we will provide clear contacts for advising within your new department. We encourage students to schedule an advising appointment soon to discuss their specific degree plan.
- Course Substitutions & Credit Transfer: We will work closely with students on any necessary course substitutions or credit transfers to ensure students' progress is not hindered. Cross-departmental arrangements are being established to facilitate this process seamlessly.
Timeline & Key Dates
- August 20, 2025: The departmental reorganization officially takes effect.
- Fall 2025 Semester: All RPTA courses will be offered under the new departmental affiliations.
- Future Deadlines: We will communicate any specific deadlines for declaring majors or enrolling in final courses as they become relevant to your graduation timeline.
Recreation Majors Association (RMA):
We are in full support of RMA continuing to serve students in the future. Dr. Jamie Hoffman is the faculty advisor and Rachel Akin will be the President of RMA for Fall 2025.
Who to Contact
We understand you may have questions, and we are here to help.
- For personalized academic guidance, please continue to reach out to your academic advisor.
- For broader questions about the transition, you can contact the leadership of your new departmental home:
- Department of Kinesiology Chair: Dr. Leslie Larson – Leslie.larsen@csus.edu
- Department of Public Health Chair: Dr. Aleta Baldwin – aleta.baldwin@csus.edu
- Department of Health Sciences Chair: Dr. Andrea Becker – andrea.becker@csus.edu
- For general student services support, please reach out to the HHS Student Success Center in Solano 3000.
Our Commitment to You
We acknowledge that changes like these can be disruptive, and we appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Please be assured that our unwavering commitment is to help students successfully achieve their academic goals and prepare them for a fulfilling career. We are confident that this reorganization will ultimately strengthen our programs and provide even greater opportunities for our students.