Professional development for parks and recreation professionals has typically been reserved for national certifying organizations. Indiana University’s World Parks Academy seeks to unite national certification systems by providing the first international competency-based certification programs for the parks and recreation industry. Additionally, the World Parks Academy provides certifications for countries without a current national certifying body. The World Parks Academy is a joint program offered by Indiana University’s Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands in conjunction with World Urban Parks, which has its main office in New Zealand.