Therapeutic Recreation [TR]

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Therapeutic recreation services are provided to individuals with disabilities and other diverse needs in a variety of settings, from hospitals, to group homes, to human service centers.

Advanced-level study in therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation and human services allows graduates of this major in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department to qualify to sit for the national certification examination to become a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. This major is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

Career Potential

Therapeutic recreation specialist in health-care facilities such as rehabilitation hospitals and psychiatric centers
Therapeutic recreation specialist in long-term care facilities
Therapeutic recreation manager
Inclusion specialist in community parks and recreation departments or nonprofit agencies

A. Professional Core Courses: 30 credit hours

REC 271 - Foundations of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
REC 280 - Programming in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
REC 293 - Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr. hr.)
REC 370 - Outdoor Education Practicum (3 cr. hr.)
REC 380 - Leadership in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
REC 402 - Management of Recreation Resources (3 cr. hr.)
REC 407 - Evaluation and Research (3 cr. hr.)
REC 445 - Administration of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
REC 446 - The Law of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
REC 470 - Senior Seminar (3 cr. hr.)

B. Therapeutic Recreation: 33 credit hours

Support Courses - six credit hours (as defined by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification) by advisement

BIO 301 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 cr. hr.)
or
BIO 302 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 cr. hr.)
PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 cr. hr.)
PSY 333 - Developmental Psychology (3 cr. hr.)
PSY 421 - Abnormal Psychology (3 cr. hr.)
REC 330 - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
REC 430 - Therapeutic Recreation Process I (3 cr. hr.)
REC 431 - Therapeutic Recreation Process II (3 cr. hr.)
REC 435 - Therapeutic Recreation Interventions (3 cr. hr.)
REC 438 - Design and Administration of Therapeutic Recreation Services (3 cr. hr.)

C. Internship: 12 credit hours

Students may not enroll in additional course work while enrolled in the internship.

REC 475 - Internship in Recreation and Leisure Services (12 cr. hr.)
(specific to Therapeutic Recreation)

D. Other: 8 credit hours

Activity Requirement: recreation activities from at least two different activities (2-6 cr. hr.)
Liberal Arts and Free Electives (0-2 cr. hr.), which could include HLH 120 to meet the first aid requirement
First Aid Requirement: (0-2 cr. hr.), certification in Red Cross Responding to Emergencies or higher. Acceptable certifications can be found in the advisement manual.