CMU offers the first professionally accredited major in the field of recreation, parks, and leisure service administration in the state of Michigan. Students may select one of four major areas of concentration offered by the Department. These include commercial recreation and facility management, community leisure services, outdoor environmental and outdoor/adventure recreation, or therapeutic recreation. The student with an outdoor recreation concentration would be prepared for employment in camp administration, nature interpretation, outdoor anad adventure leadership and county, state, and/or national parks. departments.
Regardless of the concentration selected, students majoring in recreation and leisure services will be required to enroll in a common core of courses that will emphasize the philosophical framework of the profession. Students will acquire professional competencies to effectively design, organize, implement, manage, administer, and/or evaluate recreational programming assuring it effectively meets the diverse needs of the individuals or community serviced. The department places a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of a student’s training by offering an extensive internship program which is completed following the completion of professional coursework. The combination of the professional internship and our curriculum provides the student with the competencies necessary to direct and/or administer leisure services supporting individual, family, and community wellness assuring an enhanced quality of life for all. Through a commitment to teaching excellence our nationally accredited curriculum emphasizes practicum and internship experiences and leads to the attainment of professional competencies and certifications necessary for gainful employment, career advancement and enhanced leisure lifestyles.”
CMU has a an adventure center that includes a climbing wall high ropes course, and a low initiative course. The Center is used for student training as well as for outside groups seeking adventure-based training or recreation. CMU aslo has a rock climbing club and an adventure club, both of which take trips of various adventures.