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.
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
The recreation professional core and the therapeutic recreation core consist of 56 semester hours. Students with a major in therapeutic recreation must be advised by TR program advisors in order to enroll in TRC courses. Students must earn a minimum grade of C or better in each professional course within the major and related core. Senior level courses may be taken only with advisor approval. The aquatics competency must be completed within four years of graduation, while the First Aid/CPR and universal precautions competencies must be completed within one year prior to the internship.
Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in all required courses, recreation core courses, and therapeutic recreation core courses. The full time internship is taken after all other coursework has been successfully completed and in the final semester prior to graduation. Prior to the internship experience, students must show evidence of completing First Aid, CPR, and blood borne pathogens certification training.
Courses
Pre-Requisite Courses
BIO 2311
BIO 2111
Major Courses
Required Related Core (24 Hours)
PSY 3306
PSY 3336
PED 4320
6 credit hours from the list of approved electives
Recreation Core (29 Hours)
TRC 2100 – Professional Development I
TRC 2311 – Introduction to Community Recreation
TRC 2301 – Outdoor Recreation
TRC 3100 – Professional Development II
TRC 3102 – Field Experience
TRC 3302 - Recreation Activities: Analysis and Application
TRC 3310 – Leisure Education
TRC 3318 - Leadership in Recreation
TRC 3323 – Program Planning in Recreation
TRC 4200 – Professional Development III
TRC 4300 – Research Methods and Evaluation
TRC 4306 – Organization and Management
Therapeutic Recreation Core (27 Hours)
TRC 2312 – Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
TRC 3340 – Documentation and Assessment
TRC 3342 – Procedures in Therapeutic Recreation
TRC 3352 – Principles in Therapeutic Recreation
TRC 4303 – Advanced Therapeutic Recreation
TRC 0122 – Internship in Therapeutic Recreation
Major Course Sequence
TRC 2312 (co requisite TRC 2100)
TRC 2311 (offered Spring only)
TRC 2301 (offered Fall only)
TRC 3302 (offered Fall only)
TRC 3318
TRC 3102
TRC 3340
TRC 3323 (offered Spring only)
TRC 3342 (co requisites TRC 3100 and TRC 3352)
TRC 3352
TRC 3310
TRC 4300
TRC 4303 (co requisite (TRC 4200)
TRC 4306 (offered Fall only)
TRC 0122
OT Option
The OT (Occupational Therapy) Option is a specialized advising paradigm to prepare therapeutic recreation students for application to graduate study 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: OT Preparation course. Students in the OT Option are advised by TR advisors.
OT Option Course Sequence
TRC 3320
BIO 2311
BIO 2111
BIO 2312
BIO 2112
PSY 3306
PSY 3336
MAT 2326 (GE)
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