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Therapeutic Recreation, also referred to as recreation therapy, is a service that provides treatments and recreation activities to individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions to improve or maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being and help reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. Recreational therapies help patients recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence, and socialize more effectively. Treatments may incorporate arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music and community outings.
Courses typically cover areas such as treatment and program planning, human anatomy, physiology, and professional ethics. Most employers prefer to hire candidates who are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS). Therapists become certified through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). To qualify for certification, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, pass a written exam, and complete an internship under a CTRS supervisor.
Course Requirement Definitions:
Elective Requirement: Additional courses necessary to earn enough credits for a degree outside of Major and STAGE requirements.
First Year Seminar (FYS): Introductory course to the academic experience, emphasizing the skills necessary for academic success.
Major Requirement: Courses are core to this major and are subject matter-specific.
Stage Requirement: Courses are part of our STAGE General Education program, and must be taken to earn a degree. Learn more here>
Fall One – first year
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 101 | Foundations of Recreation & Leisure Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Foundations Course | Quantitative Literacy OR Scientific Reasoning Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| Breadth & Proficiency 1 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| STAC 101 | Elective Requirement | 1 CR |
| FYS 101 | First Year Seminar Stage Requirement / Foundations 1 | 3 CR |
| WRT 101 | Academic Writing I Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| 16 FALL CREDITS |
Spring One – first year
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 201 | Intro to Therapeutic Recreation Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Foundation Course | Quantitative Literacy OR Scientific Reasoning Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| PSYC 103 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| Breadth & Proficiency 2 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| WRT 102 | Academic Writing II Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| STAC 102 | Elective Requirement | 1 CR |
| 16 SPRING CREDITS |
Fall Two – sophomore
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 309 | TR in Gerontology Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| PSYC 206 | Child Psychology Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Breadth & Proficiency 3 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| SOC, CJ or PSYC 1 | Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| STAC 201 | Elective Requirement | 1 CR |
| 16 FALL CREDITS |
Spring Two – sophomore
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 302 | Assessment & TR Process w/ Special Populations Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| TR 344 | Therapeutic Recreation: Methods, Materials, & Process Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| PSYC 208 | Adolescent Psychology Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| Gateway 1 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| Gateway 2 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| 15 SPRING CREDITS |
Fall three – junior
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 402 | TR Principles & Practices Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| PSYC 301 | Abnormal Psychology Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| SOC, CJ or PSYC 2 | Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Breadth & Proficiency 4 | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| TR 404 | Conceptual & Contemporary Issues in TR Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| 15 FALL CREDITS |
Spring three – junior
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 403 | TR Techniques Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| PSYC 316 | Adult Development Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Gateway Course 3 | Stage Requirement | 3 CR |
| Breadth & Proficiency 5 | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| 15 SPRING CREDITS |
Fall four – senior
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 407 | Research Methods Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| SOC, CJ or PSYC Course | Major Requirement | 3 CR |
| 15 FALL CREDITS |
Spring Four – senior
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TR 411 | TR Internship Major Requirement | 12 CR |
| Elective | Free Elective Requirement | 3 CR |
| 15 SPRING CREDITS |