COAPRT Accreditation

A seal of approval

If you're majoring in recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership (RTNL), you can expect your courses to adhere to high standards of quality and effectiveness.  Our undergraduate RTNL program is nationally accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

This accreditation is a seal of approval, assuring you of your major's quality and alignment with industry expectations. It can enhance the credibility and value of your degree as you pursue a career in recreation, tourism or nonprofit leadership.

Health, Recreation & Community Services

Nationally Accredited by COAPRT

COAPRT logo

UNI's program in recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT accredits baccalaureate programs in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation and leisure studies offered at regionally accredited institutions within the U.S. and its territories, and at nationally accredited institutions in Canada and Mexico. 

The UNI RTNL program regularly meets accreditation standards. This includes:

  • Foundations of Community Recreation: 100% of students scored at least 70% on the final exam
  • Management and Human Resources: 93% of students scored at least 70% on the final exam
  • Research and Evaluation: 96% of students scored at least 70% on the final exam
  • Internship: 94% of students completed 560 hours (average 14 weeks at 40 hours/week). 

RTNL recent program retention rates:  Fall 2019 - 99.1%; Spring 2020 - 99.1%; Fall 2020 - 92.9%; Spring 2021 - 100%; Fall 2021 - 95.4%; Spring 2022 - 92.4%; Fall 2022 - 93.5%; Spring 2023 - 88.0%; Fall 2023 - 91.3%.

Read more about UNI's COAPRT accreditation. 

 

An important note about degree mills

 

Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "Degree mills and accreditation mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education. “Accreditation” from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of an institution. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a useable credential." Read more on CHEA's website.