Leisure, Youth, and Human Services Majors
The leisure, youth and human services fields are expanding rapidly as societal changes occur. LYHS personnel are challenged to show people how to enhance their quality of life.
The LYHS major at the University of Northern Iowa is one of 101 accredited programs in the United States. The academic program values practical, experiential education that provides students a transition from theory to practice. The curriculum is responsive to changes in social and critical issues as they relate to the delivery of leisure, youth and human services.
As a way to provide students with a transition from theory to practice, students are required to accumulate volunteer or paid work experiences in the fields of leisure, youth and human services, as well as complete a semester-long internship. These hours provide students with invaluable work experience and serve as a solid foundation for a career in the field.
The leisure, youth and human services fields are historically related to other areas such as sociology, psychology, criminal justice, adaptive physical education, wellness, social work, youth development, physical education and community health.
Major:
LYHS: Outdoor Recreation, B.A.
LYHS: Tourism, B.A.
LYHS: Youth Services, B.A.
LYHS: Non-Profit Youth Adminstration, B.A.
LYHS: Program Services Administration, B.A.
LYHS: Therapeutic Recreation, B.A.
Minors:
Leisure, Youth and Human Services
Certificate Programs:
Nonprofit Management and American Humanics
Youth Development in Religious Settings
(Click major/minor/certificate title to see typical courses for the program)
Leisure, Youth and Human services graduates are eligible for a wide variety of service and employment settings including:
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Community-based centers and human service agencies
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Camps, nature centers, wilderness education
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Condominium developments
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Convention/visitor bureaus
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County, state and federal mental health treatment centers
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County, state and federal natural resource agencies
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Facility management such as recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis clubs
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Festival and event management
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Health clubs and recreational fitness centers
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Home health care
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Hospitality industry
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Hospitals and physical rehabilitation facilities
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Local recreation and park agencies
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Nonprofit agencies, i.e. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, 4-H, Camp Fire
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Military installations
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Private corporation and tourism agencies
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Recreation agencies including national associations for disabled persons
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Residential settings - long-term and nursing home facilities
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Resorts, private camps, travel and hospitility industry
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Sports competition such as Special Olympics
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Youth/adult correction centers
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Founded in 1976, the Leisure, Youth and Human Services Division has a strong history of excellence and is widely recognized within the park and recreation field and in nonprofit youth agencies who are part of American Humanics.
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A stable curriculum which is responsive to a changing society.
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Students who are active and involved in professional activities and organizations.
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Minimum of 500 hours of paid or volunteer experience prior to internship.
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World headquarters for Camp Adventure program involving approximately 700 college students (350 from UNI) and more than 7,000 children of U.S. military families on 76 bases in 11 countries.
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Tourism certificate designed to complement a wide variety of majors.
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Outdoor pursuits certificate designed to provide a background for delivering programs that combine the natural environment, perceived risk and human relations skills.
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Youth agency administration certificate designed to support those working in non-profit youth agencies.
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Outstanding teaching faculty who are nationally and internationally known through presentations and publications.
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A 12-member advisory board representing a wide range of organizations.
The Wellness/Recreation Center (WRC) serves as the primary instructional and research center of the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services. In addition, the WRC provides a focus for the recreation/wellness needs of students, faculty and staff members of the university. The WRC integrates these two functions in a way that allows the simultaneous use of the facility, without compromising the integrity of either function.
This bold new facility provides state-of-the-art space for classrooms, laboratories, and faculty and staff offices. Space designed for research, teaching and public service includes the exercise physiology laboratory, biomechanics laboratory, biostatistics laboratory, psychomotor behavior laboratory, teaching laboratory, athletic training laboratory, and the wellness resources laboratory. Activity areas include five aerobic/dance studios, six handball/racquetball courts, two multi-purpose courts, a one-tenth-mile jogging track, fitness/conditioning areas, a nearly 40-foot high climbing wall, leisure pool, instructional pool with seating for 300, and an outdoor pursuits center.
Institute for Youth Leaders
National Program for Playground Safety
Recreation Research and Service Program
Sustainable Tourism and Environment Program
To be considered for many University of Northern Iowa scholarships, you need only complete the application for admission. More information on department scholarships can found at Financial Aid.