Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy.
Alexis McKenney, Ed.D., CTRS, Professor and Recreational Therapy Program Director
Temple University
1700 N. Broad Street
Suite 304
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-1387
mckenney@temple.edu
https://cph.temple.edu/academics/areas-study/recreational-therapy
About the Recreational Therapy Major
The Recreational Therapy Program offers two degrees:
- B.S. in Recreational Therapy
- M.S. in Recreational Therapy
Additionally, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a +1 undergraduate/graduate accelerated program which provides the opportunity for qualifying students studying recreational therapy as an undergraduate to begin taking graduate level courses within their undergraduate curriculum and therefore complete the M.S. in Recreational Therapy typically within a year after completing the B.S. in Recreational Therapy.
Recreational therapists use a systematic process involving play, recreation, and leisure activities as a means to promote psychosocial adaptation, health, rehabilitation, community engagement, and life quality for children and adults of all ages who have illnesses and disabilities. The curriculum's primary goal is to prepare competent entry-level recreational therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enable them to function as recreational therapists in traditional and emerging service delivery settings. Alumni of Temple's recreational therapy (formerly therapeutic recreation) degree programs can be found in a wide range of health and human services agencies. They are employed in diverse settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, schools, and community recreation agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities are expected to increase approximately 17% over the next ten years, as fast as the average for all other occupations. A growth in employment opportunities will be most prevalent in the areas of aging/nursing care facilities, working with students with disabilities in schools, and outpatient medical facilities versus inpatient care.
Mission of the Program
The Recreational Therapy Program strives to be a world-class academic and research unit committed to advancing the role of play, recreation, and leisure opportunities in health promotion, rehabilitation, and disease prevention for diverse individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities across the life span. The program provides exceptional educational experiences, conducts discipline-expanding research, and contributes to society via programs that explore and test evidence-based innovations in practice and policy. The program's mission includes:
- instilling knowledge, values, ethics, and skills that will guide students in their future academic pursuits and their professional practice in recreational therapy at the local, national, and international levels;
- being a leading contributor to the ever-changing knowledge base in health, leisure, and disability studies through research and other scholarly activities;
- providing innovative and responsive educational opportunities, research, and service in collaboration with local, regional, and national agencies and organizations; and
- fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to promote a better understanding of the importance of physically and socially active lifestyles to health, well-being, and quality of life.
Central to the overall mission of the Recreational Therapy Program is a commitment to access and diversity. This is realized through a commitment to ensuring equal access to all qualified applicants and a commitment to promoting equal access to recreation and leisure opportunities for all people regardless of age, economics, race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, religion, or abilities.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)/Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE).
Licensure/Certification
A license is required to practice recreational therapy in the following states: California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Utah. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) administers an examination students must pass in order to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Graduates from Temple's Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy and Master of Science in Recreational Therapy programs meet the educational eligibility requirements to sit for the NCTRC exam.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Recreational Therapy is awarded to students upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 121 semester hours of credit with a minimum GPA of 2.00 overall and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for classes in the major. Students completing this degree are eligible to sit for the national credentialing examination for recreational therapists.
Summary of Requirements
University Requirements
- All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum. Please note that the University GenEd curriculum has specific rules regarding the completion of this university requirement (for example, the number of courses a student may take in one department to satisfy GenEd Requirements), so careful review of the GenEd section of this Bulletin is encouraged.
- MATH 0701 (4 credits) and/or ENG 0701 (4 credits), if required by placement testing.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. Writing Intensive classes in Recreational Therapy include:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours RCTH 3096 Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy 3 RCTH 4196 Recreational Therapy Clinical Procedures 3 - Students are also encouraged to review university requirements for successful progression through their academic careers. Knowledge of course repeat policies, including the withdrawal policy, academic standing, and rules on taking courses elsewhere can be found in the Academic Policies section of this Bulletin.
College Requirement
All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core Course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.
Clearance Requirements
Please note the Recreational Therapy program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at facilities both on and off the University campus. These placements will 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 submit a physical and immunization records. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options which can, in turn, result in an inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent you from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice in recreational therapy. Please see https://www.atra-online.com/page/CertandLicense for more information about certification and licensure.
Recreational Therapy Program Requirements
Students must complete a set of specific courses in the major, including Health Related Professions Core, Cognate Core, Recreational Therapy major courses, and two credit-earning field-based clinical internships (RCTH 3185 and RCTH 4185). Students must also complete other non-credit earning requirements as part of the major, including 70 hours of professional development / volunteer experiences relevant to the major, criminal and child abuse clearances, health immunization and physical documentation, and certification in First-Aid/CPR.
All Recreational Therapy courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Health Related Professions Core 1 | ||
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| Cognate Core 1 | ||
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 2 | 3-4 |
| or KINS 1221 | Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2 | 3-4 |
| or KINS 1222 | Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| KINS 2204 | Motor Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 1003 | Statistics for Psychology | 3 |
| or SOC 1167 | Social Statistics | |
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Lower-Division Recreational Therapy Coursework | ||
| RCTH 1102 | Inclusive Recreation and Sports Services | 3 |
| RCTH 2103 | Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| Upper-Division Recreational Therapy Coursework | ||
| RCTH 2104 | Recreational Therapy Modalities | 3 |
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 3111 | Health Promotion through Leisure Education | 3 |
| RCTH 3801 | Physical and Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| RCTH 3802 | Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| RCTH 4102 | Research and Evaluation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4103 | Professional Issues in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4196 | Recreational Therapy Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| Internship Experience | ||
| RCTH 3185 | Internship I in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4185 | Internship II in Recreational Therapy | 12 |
| Recreational Therapy Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Recreational Therapy and Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Assistive Technology in Recreation | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Mental Health | ||
| Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Service Settings | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Physical Disabilities | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Pediatric Healthcare | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 81-83 | |
| 1 | Students must successfully pass all Health Related Professions courses and Cognate Core courses with a minimum grade of C. Students not demonstrating the ability to meet this academic requirement will not be permitted to progress to the upper-division Recreational Therapy Core and related electives in the curriculum. |
| 2 | Students should consult with their advisor for information on the distinctions between Anatomy and Physiology selection sequence and its implication for the degree and career goals. Satisfactory completion of KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 sequence or KINS 1223 and KINS 1224 sequence will meet the two-course GenEd Science and Technology requirement. The courses are similar, but not interchangeable, and must be taken in the correct sequence. Students choosing the KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 sequence may need to take an additional 2-credit elective to meet the minimum 121 credit hour degree requirement. Please see a departmental advisor for clarification. |
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
The following academic plan displays required courses. Please note that, unless specified otherwise, students may select from a number of university-approved courses in the various areas of the GenEd curriculum.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| RCTH 1102 | Inclusive Recreation and Sports Services | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| RCTH 2103 | Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| KINS 1223 or 1221 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I1 | 3-4 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| KINS 1224 or 1222 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II1 | 3-4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social Statistics | ||
| Statistics for Psychology | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy [WI]2 | 3 |
| RCTH 2104 | Recreational Therapy Modalities | 3 |
| KINS 2204 | Motor Behavior | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following:3 | 3 | |
| Recreational Therapy and Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Assistive Technology in Recreation4 | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Mental Health | ||
| Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Service Settings5 | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Physical Disabilities5 | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Pediatric Healthcare | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RCTH 3111 | Health Promotion through Leisure Education | 3 |
| RCTH 3185 | Internship I in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 3801 | Physical and Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following:3 | 3 | |
| Recreational Therapy and Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Assistive Technology in Recreation4 | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Mental Health | ||
| Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Service Settings5 | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Physical Disabilities5 | ||
| Recreational Therapy and Pediatric Healthcare | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| RCTH 4103 | Professional Issues in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4196 | Recreational Therapy Clinical Procedures [WI]2 | 3 |
| RCTH 4102 | Research and Evaluation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 3802 | Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Elective | 2-3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4185 | Internship II in Recreational Therapy | 12 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 121-125 | |
| 1 | You should consult your advisor for information on the distinctions between the anatomy and physiology selection sequence and its implication for your degree and career goals. Satisfactory completion of the KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 sequence or the KINS 1223 and KINS 1224 sequence will meet the two-course GenEd Science & Technology requirement. These courses are similar but not interchangeable. Courses must be taken in the correct sequence. Students choosing KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 should be sure to take a sufficient number of elective credits to meet the minimum 121 credit hour degree requirement. Please see a departmental advisor for clarification. |
| 2 | Indicates Writing Intensive course for the major. |
| 3 | Two Recreational Therapy Elective courses (6 credits) are required for graduation. |
| 4 | These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
| 5 | These courses are offered in the spring semester only. |
Note: Students may lighten their academic load in the fall and spring semesters by taking classes during the summer sessions. Please see a departmental advisor to explore summer course offerings and suitable options.