Students enrolled in the Recreation and Studies program (See program description) may also receive a concentration in YMCA Professional Studies (YPSP). The following is a list of the requirements for the YMCA Professional Studies Program (YPSP). These expectations are mandated by the YMCA of the USA and agreed to by the University of Toledo Division of Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Academic and Extracurricular Requirements
YMCA Sr. Director Certification requires core study in group work, volunteerism and Principles and Practices. The proposed UT program includes equivalent courses for the core requirements as well as study in supervision, financial management, community development, diversity and program development. The YMCA Principles and Practices course requirement will not be completed as part of the college program. Instead, this course will be completed through employment at the YMCA.
The YPSP program at UT is considered a specialized course of study within Recreation and Leisure Studies major. The concentration consists of 23 credits and an 8 credit internship within the Recreation and Leisure Studies major that will require interdisciplinary and applied learning in a YMCA and community contexts. In addition to the YPSP program requirements, students must meet all the requirements of the University of Toledo and the Recreation and Leisure Studies program.
As part of the recreation major and YPSP concentration students will also take courses in Recreation and Business. Several courses which require special projects and/or service learning will give students a chance to tailor their coursework to the YMCA. YMCA professionals may serve as guest speakers and be trained as field supervisors for internships.
During the course of study for the YPSP program, every student will be expected to:
Students at UT who complete the YPSP will be eligible for YMCA Senior Director Certification, paid internships, scholarships and job placement. Completion of the YMCA Professional Studies Program at the University of Toledo does not guarantee employment with the YMCA.
The following course planning grid aligns recommended UT courses with the required YMCA Management modules.
| YMCA of the USA |
University of Toledo
YMCA Professional Studies Program
YMCA certification levels are designed to help YMCA professionals advance in their careers, and, in some cases, certifications are required for certain jobs. All new staff persons are recognized as Staff Associates when they are employed as salaried, full-time employees and their employment is reported to the YMCA of the USA. This document identifies leadership and management training opportunities that promote professional development for YMCA employees and designates the courses that will be a part of the University of Toledo YMCA Professional Studies Program. The college courses indicated below align with and meet the same or similar competencies of the YMCA Management Modules and will contribute to students’ eligibility for earning the YMCA Senior Director certification..
YMCA Senior Director Certification Requirements
Requirements for this certification include:
| YMCA Professional Studies Program and Equivalencies for Senior Director Certification | |
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YMCA Modules/Competency Areas |
UT Undergraduate Curriculum 30 credits for a Bachelors of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a Concentration in YMCA Professional Studies |
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YMCA Principles and Practices (45 hours) |
YMCA Principles and Practices (non-campus) |
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MM100D YMCA Group Work (16 hours) |
RCRT 2300 Rec. Leadership and Group Dynamics 3cr hrs. |
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MM101D YMCA Volunteerism and the YMCA (16 hours) |
New 1cr hr. Course RCRT 2310 Volunteerism |
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MM107D Fiscal Management and Budgeting (24 hours) |
BUAD 2040 Financial Accounting Information 3cr hrs. |
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MM113D Supervision (24 hours) |
RCRT 4330 Administration in Recreation and Recreational Therapy 3cr hrs. RCRT 4440 Park and Recreation Planning 3cr hrs. |
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MM117D Championing a Diversity Initiative (16 hours) |
BMGT 2700 Managing Diversity in the Workplace 3cr hrs. |
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MM203D Marketing Research (8 hours) MM102D Not-for-Profit Strategic Marketing (8 hours) MM 109D Problem Solving and Decision-Making (16 hours) MM 103D YMCA Program Management (16 hours) |
BUAD 3010 Principles of Marketing 3cr hrs. (Prerequisites ECON 1150 and 1200)
RCRT 2300 Rec. Leadership and Group Dynamics 3cr hrs. Dup. RCRT 1310 Recreation Programming 3cr hrs. |
Internship: (minimum 480 hours) 8cr hrs.
The current Recreation and Leisure Studies Internship requires 480 hours for 8cr hrs. credit. The above equivalencies combine existing course work within the Recreation and Leisure Studies program and the newly created YMCA Professional Studies Program concentration. Upon completion of the major and program, students will receive a Bachelors of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a Concentration in YMCA Professional Studies.
Note: After completion of the college/university undergraduate YMCA Professional Studies Program, students must also have a letter of recommendation from a YMCA Executive Director and complete at least one year of full-time work at a YMCA following graduation.
For additional information contact:
Bruce W. Groves, Ed. D. YMCA Professional Studies Liaison
University of Toledo
2801 West Bancroft M. S. 119
Toledo OH 43606-3328
Phone: (419) 530-4353
bruce.groves2@utoledo.edu