The Activity Director program on the Hutchinson campus of Ridgewater College offers career opportunities to work with the elderly population. Activity directors plan activity programs that enhance and promote the quality of life for the elderly. They work with activity assistants in planning, coordinating and leading daily, weekly and monthly activity programs, special events and services. Activity directors are also responsible for managing the activity department, staff and daily activity program. Other director responsibilities include volunteer management, care planning, documentation, record keeping, budgets, personnel management, community involvement, and working with other facility staff and department supervisors. Career opportunities are available for activity professionals in long term care facilities, adult day centers, senior centers, memory care, assisted living, and retirement communities.
 
Course Outline
 
Required Courses
(21 Courses)
Course
Number
Course Title Credits
ADR 1005 Professional Enrichment for the Activity Director/Assistant 3*
ADR 1010 Cultures in the Workplace
ADR 1015 Activity Ideas for Program Development
ADR 1045 Computer/Machine Technology
ADR 1155 Crisis Intervention
ADR 1180 Employment Readiness
ADR 1405 Activity Program Development
ADR 1410 Community Agencies and Resources for Older Adults
ADR 1420 Activity Interventions and Engagement Techniques
ADR 1501 Introduction to Activities and Aging Services
ADR 1502 Health and Social Issues in Aging
ADR 1503 Activity Care Planning and Documentation
ADR 1504 Activity Calendar Planning and Program Delivery
ADR 1521 Introduction to Activity Management
ADR 1522 Activity Department Management Skills
ADR 1523 Communication Skills for Activity Managers
ADR 1524 Volunteer Management
ADR 1760 Introduction to Dementia Care and Activity Services
ADR 2900 Internship 4*
ADR 2910 Internship II 4*
GSWS 1451 First Aid/Safety
Total Credits: 45  
Note there is a data error. The credits listed in this section total 49 while the section is listed as having 45 credits.
 
Elective Courses
(these courses are not required but are recommended)
Course
Number
Course Title Credits
EDA 1020 Sign Language I
EDA 1025 Sign Language II
 
General Education Required Course List
(select 6 credits from the courses below)
Course
Number
Course Title Credits
CMST 121 Introduction to Communication
ENGL 121 College Composition I - Critical Reading & Writing
Total Credits: 6  
 
General Education Elective Courses
General Education courses will be selected from at least 3 of the 10 goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer curriculum. Elective courses may be taken from any of the 10 goal areas.
See your advisor to select courses that fulfill this requirement.
Total Credits: 9  
 
Total AAS Degree Credits: 60  

*Credits for this course are variable. See your Advisor about this course.