APRO is moving to our division of continuing education beginning in fall 2012; therefore, no new degree seeking students will be admitted after fall 2011. All students who are degree seeking students must finish their APRO coursework by May 2013.

Beginning fall 2012, students will earn a certificate of completion that is recognized as satisfying the State of Wyoming Training Course to be a qualified Activities Professional. This move allows the Training Course to be offered more quickly and effectively to our workers in long-term care facilities. Please contact Ann Dalton, Sarah Olson, or Tammy Frankland for more information.

Activities professionals provide elderly and disabled clients opportunities to pursue social, mental, creative, spiritual and recreational activities. Whether planning a holiday party, playing bingo or leading a stretching class, activities professionals work to provide a better quality of life for their clients.

Activities professionals work in long-term care nursing homes, swing bed or subacute units, retirement homes, assisted living centers, boarding homes, adult daycare centers and senior centers.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more about Activities Professional education.

• Associate of Applied Science degree
  • Activities Professional
    
    
• Certificate
  • Activities Professional

• Gainful Employment Disclosure
  • Activities Professional Certificate

APRO 1010 Activities Professionals I (3L,3CR):
This course presents fundamental knowledge of therapeutic activity practice with institutionalized adults. Students will learn to function effectively as members of the health care team whose common objective is to improve quality of life for the dependent adult. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 1970. (Fall semester.)

APRO 1050 Activities Professionals II (3L,3CR):
Acquaint students with the need for activity programming and care planning for the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and recreational needs of the ill and fragile institutionalized adult. Prerequisite: APRO 1010 and APRO 1970. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 1971. (Spring semester.)

APRO 1970 Activities Professionals: Practicum I (6LB,3CR):
This practicum strengthens the learning in the classroom by providing field experience in a long-term care setting. The field experience is coordinated with the primary instructor and an on-site practicum supervisor. The primary instructor will provide the student and practicum supervisor with practicum content and assignments. The student may be supervised on the job or as a volunteer. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 1010. (Fall semester.)

APRO 1971 Activities Professionals: Practicum II (6LB,3CR):
A continuation of APRO 1970. This practicum strengthens the learning in the classroom by providing field experience in a long-term care setting. The field experience is coordinated with the primary instructor and an on site practicum supervisor. The primary instructor will provide the student and practicum supervisor with practicum content and assignments. The student may be supervised on the job or as a volunteer. Integrates the team approach to providing care of institutionalized adults with practical assignments and projects. Prerequisite: APRO 1010 and APRO 1970. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 1050. (Spring semester.)

APRO 2010 Advanced Management I (3L,3CR):
This course focuses on how to apply management science principles to the delivery of activity services in a long-term care setting. Prerequisite: APRO 1050 and APRO 1971. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 2971. (Fall semester.)

APRO 2050 Advanced Management II (3L,3CR):
This course focuses on developing skills in administrative practices, communication, and community resource development from the perspective of being the director of the activity program in a long-term care setting. Prerequisite: APRO 2010 and APRO 1971. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 2972. (Spring semester.

APRO 2971 Advanced Management Practicum I (6LB,3CR):
This practicum strengthens the learning in the classroom by providing field experience in a long-term care setting. It is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge about other departments and their responsibilities, as well as deepening the student’s understanding of the administration of the activity department. The field experience is coordinated with the primary instructor and on-site practicum supervision, if necessary. The primary instructor will provide the student and practicum supervisor with practicum content and assignments. The student may be supervised on the job or as a volunteer. Prerequisite: APRO 1050 and APRO 1971. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 2010. (Fall semester.)

APRO 2972 Advanced Management Practicum II (6LB,3CR):
This practicum strengthens the learning in the classroom by providing field experience in a long-term care setting. It is designed to enhance the student’s communication and problem solving skills with project involvement and completion. The field experience is coordinated with the primary instructor and on-site practicum supervision, if necessary. The primary instructor will provide the student and practicum supervisor with practicum content and assignments. The student may be supervised on the job or as a volunteer. Prerequisite: APRO 2010 and APRO 2971. Concurrent enrollment: APRO 2050. (Spring semester.)

• What does an activity professional do?

Activity professionals work with mainly the elderly population in nursing homes and adult daycare facilities. They plan and implement activity programs for residents that enhance their quality of life. Activities include everything from field trips, games, exercise and crafts to videos, dancing and scrapbooking.

• Where do activity professionals work?

  Nursing homes and adult daycare facilities is where you'll find the majority of activity professionals.

• What degree(s) does an activity professional have to have?

  Depending on the position, you may not need a degree. In Wyoming, the minimum requirement for working as an activity professional is completion of the state approved courses which are APRO 1010, 1050, 1970 and 1971. However, we also offer a certificate or an associate's degree. For more information, contact , HS 130, or (307) 268-2282.

• How much are activity professionals paid?

  According to a 2005 national activity professional association survey, activity professionals can make between $10 and $19 per hour. Wages are dependent upon facilities so this is just an estimate.

• Are there activity professional (APRO) classes that I can take via distance education?

  Casper College is very happy to offer all activity professional courses at a distance. Our instructor teaches from an on-site classroom in Casper which transmits via compressed video over the WEN network to the whole state.  So, no matter where you live in Wyoming, you could take APRO classes.

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