COAPRT to operate as an independent entity starting June 30, 2019
Ashburn, Va. (April 26, 2019) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) today announced the impending separation of the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) from the organization. Effective June 30, 2019, COAPRT will operate as an independent 501(c)(3) organization that recognizes colleges and universities that prepare new professionals to enter the parks, recreation, tourism and related professions.
“At NRPA, we are committed to providing our members and the profession with the support and resources they need to succeed, and we feel very strongly this new agreement will better serve the colleges and universities that provide education programs specific to our field,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “We look forward to our future collaborations with COAPRT.”
“COAPRT will continue to advance its mission to ensure quality education among accredited academic programs. As an autonomous organization, we feel this new agreement will enable COAPRT to strategically enhance the quality of service we provide to colleges and universities,” said Syd Sklar, COAPRT Chair. “We are grateful for NRPA’s longstanding support of COAPRT, especially as we make this transition, and we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate in the future.”
Under this new separation agreement, NRPA and COAPRT will work together to support the mission and goals of the Council. In addition to conducting its annual meeting and hearing at the NRPA Annual Conference, COAPRT will offer educational workshops during the conference, as well. For future administrative support, COAPRT has partnered with Red Barn Communications, an association management company located in Lacey, Washington. COAPRT and NRPA will work together through the separation date to conduct a smooth transition of services.
COAPRT was established in 1974 to serve as the credentialing body to accredit baccalaureate degree programs in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation and leisure studies offered at regionally accredited institutions within the United States and its territories, and at nationally accredited institutions in Canada and Mexico.
Upon separation from NRPA, COAPRT will launch a new website at www.accreditationcouncil.org.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
About the Council on Accreditation of Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Related Professions
Through formal review and accreditation of higher education curricula, the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions protects students, families, sponsoring bodies, colleges, universities, employers, and the public by ensuring that those enrolled in accredited programs are provided a quality education that empowers them to succeed in parks, recreation, tourism and related specialization professions. The purposes of the Council are to: 1) advance academic quality in teaching, learning, research and service; 2) demonstrate accountability fostering public awareness, confidence, and investment; and 3) encourage planning for change and improvement through assessment of quality, especially student achievement.