Therapeutic Recreation Major, BS

Program Description

It is the goal of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program to prepare individuals to successfully enter the field of therapeutic recreation; who have the foundation for further study and/or professional development in the human service areas; and who meet the requirements for application to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification and to the North Carolina Board of Recreation Therapy Licensure.

The Therapeutic Recreation program is based on the belief that healthy recreation and leisure involvement is fundamental for life satisfaction; also, leisure is an important tool to help people negotiate a changing and often stressful world. Therapeutic Recreation (TR) uses recreation and leisure experiences to help people with disabilities or limiting conditions to recover, develop, and grow. TR services adhere to a specified set of actions, and can be delivered in a variety of settings, including clinical, residential and community settings. TR is also known as recreation therapy in many settings.

The Occupational Therapy Option is a specialized advising paradigm to prepare therapeutic recreation students for application to graduate study in occupational therapy.

Certification 

Students who graduate with a major in therapeutic recreation meet sitting requirements for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam. Information about the sitting requirements can be obtained from: 

The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

7 Elmwood Drive, New City, New York 10956

email: nctrc@NCTRC.org, tel 845.639.1439, fax 845.639.1471TR

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will:

1.       Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply fundamental recreation and leisure concepts for all people.

2.       Have the ability to think critically, to solve problems, and to communicate effectively.

3.       Demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the delivery of therapeutic recreation services, as well as professional behavior, through practical application.

Major Requirements

Upon successful completion of TRC 2305 as well as the Anatomy and Physiology (A & P) class and lab (BIO 2311/2111) students complete requirements in four areas: Major core requirements, Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, and Non Course requirements. Students must also complete three 3 credit courses designated as approved electives; these courses may be taken as part of the general education requirements or as the major requirements are being completed. All courses required for the TR Major must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students are advised by TR Program faculty after finishing TRC 2305 and A & P classes. 

OT Option

The OT (Occupational Therapy) Option is a specialized advising paradigm to prepare therapeutic recreation students for application to graduate programs in OT. Students must have a GPA of 2.8 to qualify for the OT Option. In addition to other required courses, students complete TRC 3320 along with other specific courses. Students in the OT Option are advised by TR advisors. 

Courses in Red were in the approval process of the university’s Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee at the time the catalog was published. The changes that the program sought were to be retroactive to the beginning of the Fall 2012 semester if approved during the fall of 2012.