Therapeutic Recreation Concentration
B.A. degree; B.A.A. degree; B.S. degree
The goal of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) concentration is to prepare students to serve as competent practitioners in the role of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS). Students in this program develop skills to work with individuals with disability and chronic illness in diverse health care settings. In addition to structured coursework a strong emphasis is placed on practical training via numerous volunteer placements and a full-time clinical internship under a CTRS. Upon completion of all coursework and professional internship, the student is eligible to sit for the national certifying examination administered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Academic advisors work closely with students in the selection and scheduling of courses to assure timely completion of degree and major requirements.
Admission Requirements, Admission and Termination Standards
Enrollment in the TR program is competitive, admitting a maximum of 30 students per semester. Students are encouraged to meet with a TR advisor before pursuing this program. Application instructional packets are available on the Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration (RPL) website. Once admitted to the program students will enroll in courses with members of their cohort group.
Phase 1: Pre-admission / Selection criteria
- Completion of 40 semester credit hours.
- Completion of or current enrollment in the following pre-professional coursework:
RPL 118 (2)
RPL 210 (3)
HDF 100 or PSY 220 (3)
HSC 211 or a college level natural science course (refer to pre-requisite for HSC 214) (3)
- Practical experience:
Completion of a minimum of 40 volunteer or related work hours in therapeutic recreation or in recreation with individuals with special needs.
- Application packet downloaded from the RPL website.
Submit by:
March 1 for Fall semester enrollment
October 1 for Spring semester enrollment
Must include all of the following to be considered:
- Submission of a candidate statement
- An official copy of student’s transcripts
- Professional reference
- Evidence of current CPR / First Aid certification
- Completed application form
- Admission notification - Students will be notified of their admission status by:
March 17 for Fall semester enrollment
October 17 for Spring semester enrollment
Students must be formally admitted to the program before taking any diagnostic or intermediate level coursework in therapeutic recreation (i.e., RPL 340, RPL 341, RPL 342, RPL 345, and others).
- Students must achieve a C or better in all courses required for program admission and all required courses to graduate with this major.
Required Courses I (42 hours)
| HSC 214 | Human Anatomy | 4(3-3) |
| HSC 215 | Human Physiology | 4(3-2) |
| PSY 250 | Abnormal Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 118 | Introduction to Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services | 2(2-0) |
| RPL 210 | Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 310 | Pre-Internship in Leisure Services | 1(1-0) |
| RPL 340 | Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental Disabilities | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 341 | Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 342 | Therapeutic Recreation: Behavioral Health | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 345 | Therapeutic Recreation: Gerontology | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 349 | Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 351 | Pharmacology for Therapeutic Recreation | 1(1-0) |
| RPL 518 | Research & Philosophy in RPL | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 580WI | Programming for Therapeutic Recreation | 3(3-0) |
| RPL 581 | Therapeutic Recreation: Management Issues | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| HDF 100 | Lifespan Development | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 220 | Developmental Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses III (15-30 hours)
| RPL 320 | Professional Internship in Recreation | 1-30(Spec) |
Note: RPL 320 - Students seeking a B.S. or B.A. degree will complete a one semester 15 credit hour internship in a clinical setting. Students seeking a B.A.A. degree will complete a 30 hour internship (in two unique settings, one of which must be clinical).
Total: 60-75 semester hours