Recreational Therapy, M.S.

About the Program

The 36-credit online M.S. in Recreational Therapy is designed for individuals who want to advance their knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice within healthcare and human services. The curriculum teaches from a conceptual model of health promotion and rehabilitation and maintains a lifespan perspective in three core areas: health, disability, and leisure. The primary focus of academic and clinical preparation is on training recreational therapists to use play, recreation, and leisure to achieve and maintain goals related to health promotion, rehabilitation, and full participation in an active, meaningful life. Specialization coursework can be used to meet advanced certification.

The faculty utilize contemporary educational and learning technologies to impart the most current cutting-edge practitioner and leadership skills central to today’s healthcare and human service provision. This is done while maintaining the timeless concepts of health, recreation, and leisure as that is what drives the human spirit. The online M.S. in Recreational Therapy program is designed for those who strive to be leaders in recreational therapy and share a drive to improve the lives of others while harnessing the value inherent in, and benefits derived from, recreational activities.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location: Online, with a combination of asynchronous components (discussion boards and other assignments completed by students on their own time) and synchronous components (web conference–based live class discussions, chat rooms, and video meetings)

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: Interdisciplinary study is encouraged and may be geared toward the student's personal interests (e.g., counseling, exercise science, or special education). The diversity of departments and programs in the College of Public Health presents abundant opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning. Additionally, part of the academic experience in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences involves interprofessional education.

Affiliation(s): Numerous healthcare and human service agencies in Philadelphia and the surrounding Delaware Valley region cooperate with the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and offer opportunities for student training and research. These include nationally recognized rehabilitation facilities such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, MossRehab, the Princeton Medical Center, Shriner's Hospital, the Temple University Hospital and Health System, and the Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center.

Additionally, graduate students are encouraged and supported to complete internships/clinical practicums in an extensive network of agencies cultivated by the program over the years. These include placements across the country, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Montana, and Virginia.

Ranking: The faculty and the program are nationally recognized for excellence and have received numerous national and state awards for their contributions. Graduates of the program consistently perform well on the national credentialing examination for certified recreational therapists.

Accreditation: The academic program meets or exceeds all current curriculum standards issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and other professional organizations.

Areas of Specialization: Faculty members specialize and offer learning opportunities in adapted sport and inclusive recreation, behavioral health, geriatrics, health promotion and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and physical rehabilitation.

Job Prospects: Graduates of the program are highly sought for advanced clinical/management positions in adult day programs, assisted living facilities, community settings providing specialized services to individuals with disabilities, hospitals, nursing homes, and pediatric facilities. Graduates who use the degree to enter this field are also highly sought after to begin practicing as recreational therapists.

Licensure/Certification: A license is required to practice recreational therapy in the following states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) administers an examination that students must pass in order to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Graduates from Temple’s Master of Science in Recreational Therapy program meet the educational eligibility requirements to sit for the NCTRC exam. For more information, visit https://www.atra-online.com/page/CertandLicense.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students are allowed to take up to 9 credits of graduate coursework before matriculation. Selection of courses must be made in conjunction with the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Financing Opportunities: Limited funding opportunities are sometimes available in the form of teaching or research assistantships or externships:

Assistants are expected to devote up to 20 hours per week to teaching or research obligations. Availability depends on courses offered or whether faculty have externally funded research grants. Assignments vary depending on the nature of the grant. Assistantships carry a stipend and partial or full tuition remission.
Graduate Externs are hired by other divisions of the university, which make offers directly. For example, Campus Recreation hires externs to conduct student recreation events, and the Institute on Disabilities hires externs to assist with various projects. Externs do not receive tuition remission.

Applying for a position as a Teaching or Research Assistant or Graduate Extern is done online and involves outlining relevant qualifications and experience. Students are notified as opportunities become available.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1

All applicants to the M.S. in Recreational Therapy program must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: One letter of recommendation should be written by a faculty member who can comment on your academic ability. The others can be from professional references who can speak to your work-related competencies.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: If admitted, students lacking NCTRC national credentialing are required to take leveling and supportive undergraduate courses, in addition to the M.S. degree requirements, prior to completion of 15 credits in the program.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution is required. All undergraduate majors are considered. A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required, but applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission based on scores at or above the 65th percentile on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or a GPA of 3.25 in 9 credits of graduate-level coursework.

Statement of Goals: Write an essay of approximately 1,000 words that responds to these questions:

How have your recreation and leisure experiences contributed to your health and personal growth? Consider different areas of wellness and how these components have interacted and influenced each other in your life.
What, if any, experience do you have in working with individuals with disabilities?
What are your interests in and career goals related to recreational therapy?

Your essay is evaluated on the quality of your writing and synthesis of ideas, which are expected to be of a certain standard at the master’s level. It benefits your application if you highlight relevant active volunteerism, work experience(s) that developed relevant skills, and/or past leadership experience. The essay allows the department to determine your fit with the program.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE/MAT: Optional, although applicants who believe GRE scores would complement their application are encouraged to submit scores to SOPHAS using code 0151.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 79 (send officially to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS-specific TOEFL code 5688)
IELTS Academic: 6.5
PTE Academic: 53
Duolingo: 110

Clearances: The Recreational Therapy M.S. program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at various facilities. These placements require criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances, and perhaps a drug screen. Placements may also require the student to maintain personal health insurance and/or to submit proof of a physical and immunization records. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in her/his inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice in the field of therapeutic recreation.

Resume: Current professional resume required.

Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an accredited institution are considered for transfer into the M.S. in Recreational Therapy degree program. Such courses are reviewed by the M.S. Program Coordinator to determine whether they are equivalent to coursework offered at Temple and fulfill any degree requirements. The grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer and have been earned within five years of applying to the program. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred into the M.S. program is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate:

36 for those who hold NCTRC national certification (see Course Sequence A).
36 plus 6 credits of Recreational Therapy-specific leveling coursework for those without NCTRC national certification (see Course Sequence B). Note that other supportive coursework may be required to sit for the national credentialing examination for therapeutic recreation specialist certification. Specialization electives can be used to meet advanced certification from NCTRC after one year of full-time employment as a recreational therapist.

Required Courses:

Course Sequence A (for those with NCTRC national certification)

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions ¹	0
A1: Required Core Graduate Courses
RCTH 5001	Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy	3
RCTH 5102	Recreational Therapy: Now and Then	3
RCTH 5301	Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I	3
RCTH 5302	Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II	3
RCTH 5311	Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy	3
RCTH 5312	Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions	3
RCTH 5402	Recreational Therapy Administration and Management	3
RCTH 5442	Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy	3
A2: Electives
Select four of the following based on interests/needs:		12
HRPR 8985	Teaching in Higher Education: Health Professions
RCTH 5009	Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions
RCTH 5101
RCTH 5201	Managing Dementia Care
RCTH 5204	Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology
RCTH 5212	Play and Pediatric Development
RCTH 5213	Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health
RCTH 5214	Child Life Interventions
RCTH 5250	Special Topics in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5314	Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5315	Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5316	Measuring Health and Disability: The ICF Model
RCTH 5382	Independent Study
Total Credit Hours		36

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.

Course Sequence B (for those without NCTRC national certification)

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions ¹	0
B1: Required Leveling/Supportive Undergraduate Courses ²
KINS 1223	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
PSY 2201	Foundations of Psychopathology	3
PSY 2301	Foundations of Developmental Psychology	3
RCTH 3096	Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy	3
Additional credits in a variety of Health and Human Service content areas (e.g., medical terminology, public health, social work, sociology, etc.)		9

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
B2: Required Core Graduate Courses
RCTH 5001	Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy	3
RCTH 5102	Recreational Therapy: Now and Then	3
RCTH 5301	Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I	3
RCTH 5302	Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II	3
RCTH 5311	Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy	3
RCTH 5312	Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions	3
RCTH 5402	Recreational Therapy Administration and Management	3
RCTH 5442	Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy	3
RCTH 5787	Recreational Therapy Practicum ³	3
B3: Electives
Select three of the following based on interests/needs:		9
RCTH 5009	Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions
RCTH 5101
RCTH 5201	Managing Dementia Care
RCTH 5204	Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology
RCTH 5212	Play and Pediatric Development
RCTH 5213	Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health
RCTH 5214	Child Life Interventions
RCTH 5250	Special Topics in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5261	Recreational Therapy and Disabilities Seminar I
RCTH 5271	Recreational Therapy and Disabilities Seminar II
RCTH 5314	Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5315	Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy
RCTH 5316	Measuring Health and Disability: The ICF Model
RCTH 5382	Independent Study
Total Credit Hours		36

Depending on one's undergraduate major, some requirements may have already been completed. These credits do not count toward the M.S. credit totals, but are needed in order to be eligible to sit for the NCTRC certification exam (see https://www.nctrc.org/). The M.S. Program Coordinator reviews official transcript(s) and identifies any coursework needed. Any uncompleted requirements may be taken at an institution other than Temple University, with approval of the M.S. Program Coordinator. All required leveling/supportive undergraduate coursework must be completed by the time the student has accrued 15 credits in the M.S. program at Temple University.

RCTH 5787 Recreational Therapy Practicum is a 600-hour field placement experience under the supervision of a full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at an approved agency site. The student works with a faculty advisor in the selection of a site for this experience. RCTH 5787 is designed to meet NCTRC internship requirements for eligibility to sit for the NCTRC certification exam.

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Culminating Event: Successful completion of coursework constitutes the culminating event.

Courses

RCTH 5001. Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.

This online course is designed as a graduate level introduction to research design, methods, and analyses. The course will focus on the fundamentals of health and social research, including: the logic of scientific inquiry, research ethics, developing testable research questions, data collection techniques, and basic data analysis. Students will also examine the diverse methods used in health and social research - including survey research, experimental design, single-subject design, and qualitative research - exploring both strengths and weaknesses of different designs. Students will address a single research question by integrating multi-disciplinary sources in a scholarly paper and by orally presenting the findings.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5009. Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship. The goal of the course is to demonstrate the links between knowledge, experience and skills and commercial possibilities. The course integrates a number of different disciplines, ranging from sociology and psychology to economics, finance, marketing and human resource management. Through assigned readings, class discussions, activities and guest lectures from various professional fields, students will be challenged to apply theoretical principles, concepts and frameworks to real world situations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5102. Recreational Therapy: Now and Then. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the historical roots of disability and the recreational therapy profession, as well as the current trajectory of the disability movement and recreational therapy practice. Concepts, models, approaches, and theories utilized in recreational therapy practice are reviewed, in which students are challenged to explain, apply, compare/contrast, and critique this information as it applies to current challenges, issues, and trends in practice and healthcare. The course additionally reviews and applies professional ethics and standards of practice to current healthcare situations; evaluates and reimagines scenarios for cultural competence and interprofessional collaboration; and hypothesizes potential approaches to current issues and trends for forward momentum of the profession, public health, and client outcomes. Students will review case studies that explore the application of the RT process (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Documentation) in different settings.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5201. Managing Dementia Care. 3 Credit Hours.

Utilizing a person-centered and interdisciplinary approach, the course explores the strategies for assisting practitioners, agencies, families and caregivers with balancing the needs and behaviors of the individual with dementia, and the social and physical environments in which the person with dementia is placed. Students will apply fundamental principles for the design and evaluation of activity-based, psychosocial programs for this population. Models for managing problem behaviors while respecting the needs of the client will be explored. This course seeks to emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary support and is therefore, appropriate for students of healthcare disciplines that utilize an activity-based approach. NOTE: Prior courses in lifespan/human development and anatomy are suggested. Undergraduates may enroll with permission of instructor.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5204. Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in depth review of the use of and opportunities for assistive technology in recreational therapy services in promoting the full inclusion and community participation of persons with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the AT devices and services that promote functional independence and participation in the community and in physically and socially active recreation and leisure. Students will review the literature on the use of assistive technology and make practice recommendations for therapists working with individuals who may benefit from the use of assistive technology.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5205. Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Services. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in-depth review of the evidence for the use of recreational therapy in geriatric service settings. Emphasis is placed on developing best practices for recreational therapists to assess needs, develop interventions, and evaluate intervention outcomes. Students will (1) read and critique current literature related to RT practice in geriatric service settings; (2) synthesize the research findings and identify key elements that should be disseminated to recreational therapists within geriatric services settings; (3) develop knowledge translation plan; and (4) present findings to peers.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5211. Recreational Therapy & Physical Rehabilitation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in-depth review of the evidence for the use of recreational therapy in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on developing best practices for recreational therapists to assess needs, develop interventions, and evaluate intervention outcomes. Students will (1) read and critique current literature related to RT practice in physical rehabilitation settings; (2) synthesize the research findings and identify key elements that should be disseminated to recreational therapists within physical rehabilitation settings; (3) develop knowledge translation plan; and (4) present findings to peers.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5212. Play and Pediatric Development. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the theoretical and practical dimensions of play and the dynamic relationship that exists between a child's play and ongoing development - from infancy through adolescence. Opportunities are provided to examine elements of play, benefits of play and various play modalities and the contribution to developmental tasks for typically and atypically developing children. Topics to be covered include the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, disability, culture, community, media, and technology with play and development. Additional topics reviewed include assessing play behaviors, designing multipurpose play environments, selection and safety of play materials and apparatus and current efforts to reinvigorate the culture of play in the development of children.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5213. Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the range of organized and structured play and recreation services used by recreation therapists to promote health, well-being, and social inclusion of children. The course examines developmental and psychosocial needs resulting from trauma, abuse, chronic illnesses, and other disabling conditions, and the use of play and recreation modalities to promote resiliency, recovery and hope within myriad service settings including hospitals, residential treatment centers, schools, camps, and municipal recreation departments.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5214. Child Life Interventions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines Foundation of Child Life practice, including theories and methods used to reduce stress and increase child/family abilities to cope with illness and hospitalization. The course includes rationale and evidence for interventions related to techniques to prepare children for medical procedures, pain management, coping skills, family-centered care, and bereavement support. Students learn about credentialing requirements for Child Life Specialists, and are required to engage in field-based experiential learning. NOTE: Undergraduates may register for this course with permission of the instructor and must have completed course content in basic psychology and anatomy and physiology.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5250. Special Topics in Recreational Therapy. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

Contemporary issues related to new methods and areas of RT practice, including, but not limited to assistive technology, RT in school settings, home health care, and community leisure programs for individuals with disabilities. Course topics will change. This course may be repeated for credit.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

RCTH 5261. Recreational Therapy and Disabilities Seminar I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines issues experienced by individuals with mental health conditions and developmental disabilities, as well as how assistive technology can be used to complement treatment services. Students will conduct a historical review of regulatory policies that have influenced the delivery of services, specifically examining issues related to institutionalization, community-based treatment, and inclusion, among others. Students will synthesize existing research and draw implications for recreational therapy practice.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5271. Recreational Therapy and Disabilities Seminar II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines issues associated with physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, and age-related disabilities. Students will conduct a historical review of regulatory policies and societal trends that have influenced the delivery of services in these settings. Students will synthesize existing research and draw implications for recreational therapy practice.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5301. Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce students to evidence based practice in recreational therapy. Students will develop a critical understanding of how evidence is generated, retrieved, and appraised. They will become knowledgeable about the relevance of research findings for clinical decision-making in recreational therapy practice. Presented with a case study, students will develop an evidence-based question, identify and complete an effective search strategy, evaluate and synthesize evidence in order to make clinical recommendations to address the proposed clinical issue.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5302. Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce students to the practitioner-researcher role by building upon prior knowledge attained across the Recreational Therapy program. This course supports the use of research knowledge in making practice decisions that improve the delivery of recreational therapy interventions. This course serves as a culminating course where students demonstrate mastery of program goals. Students will develop and present lessons to each other related to evidence-based practice and develop proposals to submit to professional organizations. The course will culminate with a comprehensive exam and the development of evidence-based protocols.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of B- in RCTH 5301 and RCTH 5442.

RCTH 5311. Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines conceptual, theoretical, and practical issues associated with the organization and delivery of RT services. It uses a combination of lectures, readings, and oral and written exercises through which students reflect on and develop informed positions on core values and beliefs that support the profession. Students develop a plan of action for ongoing professional development during the academic program and beyond.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5312. Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to explore the dominant concepts and theories related to recreation and leisure behaviors and experiences, and their linkages to health, wellness, and life quality. Current research describing the interrelationships between leisure and health/life quality are examined, including the topics of disability and diversity issues such as culture, gender, race/ethnicity, class, age/lifespan, and sexual orientation. The interlinking triads among theory/conceptualizations, research, and practice are emphasized.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5314. Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an overview of the effects of physical activity and community participation on health among individuals with disabilities. All levels of physical activity (i.e., sedentary - vigorous) will be examined in relation to the impact on cognitive, physical, social, and emotional health. This class has a unique focus on utilizing the community as a resource to increase physical activity. Thus students will have the opportunity to assess barriers and facilitators to community-based physical activities in diverse populations, as well as exploring community specific resources. Particular attention will be given to organizational sponsorship of and different options for community-based activities for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the class will critique interventions aimed at increasing LTPA for individuals with disabilities. Topics to be covered include: sedentary-vigorous physical activity, metabolic equivalency of leisure time activities, assessment of physical activity, and a critique of population specific intervention considerations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5315. Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.

This recreational therapy course explores the theoretical and practical dimensions of social systems and the dynamic relationship between the individual with disabilities and their community. The course will identify how individuals with disabilities interface with their social environments and the challenges that are experienced in the navigation process. Students will explore aspects of stigma that influence the openness of a community, and consider both the benefits and the challenges of segregation, integration and full inclusion.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5316. Measuring Health and Disability: The ICF Model. 3 Credit Hours.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health is a worldwide biopsychosocial model of disability and coding system for the purpose of providing a scientific basis for understanding and studying health, establishing a common language for describing health, and comparing data across countries and disciplines. This course introduces students to the ICF model reviewing the model's development, aims, and application in current healthcare practice, as well as opportunities to expand its application in the pursuit of providing high-quality, transdisciplinary, and integrated research and care in clinical and non-clinical settings.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5382. Independent Study. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.

This supervised project is structured between the student and a faculty mentor. Projects may include developing a research proposal, conducting a field-based investigation, or developing and evaluating a program. Registering for this course requires prior permission from a faculty mentor. A mutually agreeable study contract must be secured before the end of the second week of the semester.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

RCTH 5402. Recreational Therapy Administration and Management. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines program, personnel, fiscal, and facilities management, including professional standards of practice and accreditation standards that guide and regulate organization and delivery of Recreational Therapy services in health care and human services settings. The course may involve applied learning experiences in area agencies.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5442. Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to prepare students for the development of systematically designed recreational therapy service delivery programs. This course examines conceptual models used in the development of evidence-based recreational therapy programs. Students' learn the processes for developing comprehensive program and specific program plans that are applied in a manner that provides efficient recreational therapy services to clients receiving services across community and non-community based settings.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

RCTH 5787. Recreational Therapy Practicum. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

Field placement is made with emphasis on acquisition and application of practical skills for students who do not meet eligibility for NCTRC professional level certification examination.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Master of Science.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health.