Therapeutic Recreation specialists are involved in helping individuals with disabilities learn the skills and attitudes necessary to develop a satisfying leisure lifestyle. Therapeutic Recreation is concerned with the treatment of conditions which are disabling and the facilitation of independent leisure functioning.

This major offers the student a track that will allow them to be eligible to take the national certification examination. The major is nationally accredited and provides a strong educational background for the student. Graduates tend to work in hospitals, state facilities, group treatment and community-based programs in the area of rehabilitation, leisure education and community integration.

Notes:

• two years of a single high school foreign language or one year of a single college level foreign language is required.

• current First Aid/CPR card is required for all majors.

• a minimum grade ≥2.50 must be obtained in each required RCLS course (if a lower grade is received, the course must be retaken);

• a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.50 shall be necessary in all upper- and lower-division required RCLS courses;

• a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.50 shall be required for all university coursework; failure to comply with the above standards will jeopardize professional internship eligibility.

Notes: Students interested in the Therapeutic Recreation Major must apply and be accepted into the Therapeutic Recreation program to start fall quarter. The required prerequisites are PSYC 100 with a grade ≥2.0; ENGL 201 (or equivalent English course) with a grade ≥2.0; and a passing grade in one college Chemistry class. The application also requires a 2–3 page essay addressing the following points: brief autobiography including some interesting facts about yourself (interests, hobbies, etc.), how you became interested in Therapeutic Recreation and any experiences you've had in this area and a description of your overall academic and career goals. Transcripts are required for transfer students only. The application form is available online on the PEHR Department website.  

*The deadline for submission is April 1st. Selection will be determined by application essay and overall grades from PSYC 100 and ENGL 201. Applications will be reviewed and students will be notified by the first week of May.

Placement and Clearance Exams
Prior Learning Credits / Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

University Competencies and Proficiencies

General Education Core Requirements (GECR)

Humanities and Fine Arts
(2 courses)—students must choose no more than one course per list:
List 1: Literature
List 2: Fine Arts
List 3: Philosophy and Reasoning

Natural Sciences
(2 courses)—students must choose no more than one course per list:
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Geography
Physics

Social Sciences
(2 courses)—students must choose no more than one course per list:
List 1: Economics and Government
List 2: Anthropology, Geography, Psychology and Sociology
List 3: History

University Graduation Requirements

Foreign Language
Minor or Certificate 
Culture and Gender Diversity in the U.S. Course List
International Studies Course List
Senior Capstone Course List

1. All admitted students must officially Declare a Major by the time they reach 90 credits (junior standing).
2. Application for Graduation must be made at least two terms in advance of the term you expect to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).
3. Check your progress with SOAR Student Online Academic Review—you must be signed in to use this tool.

Student Learning Outcomes—students will

• demonstrate a working knowledge of technology and its various uses in the recreation profession;
• demonstrate a working knowledge of the career and entrepreneurship opportunities available upon graduation;
• demonstrate an awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and will demonstrate multi‐cultural competence in recreation and leisure service delivery settings;
• demonstrate an understanding and application of the therapeutic recreation process: assessment, program planning, implementation and evaluation;
• demonstrate an understanding of the history, breadth, depth, and complexity of the recreation and leisure services industry;
• demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;
• demonstrate knowledge of and skill at research, problem solving, and critical thinking;
• demonstrate skills and techniques to assist individuals in learning to cope with the effects of their disabilities or illness;
• demonstrate the knowledge base to successfully complete the NCTRC Certification practice tests to better prepare students for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam;
• demonstrate, through a variety of activities, and participate in events that give a better understanding of how an individual with a disability or illness can participate in leisure activities and apply that knowledge to their internship experience.