Note: This program is not accepting new students after Fall 2024 and is not accepting intrauniversity transfer students after Spring 2027.
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy is offered by the Recreational Therapy Program within the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
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 Recreational Therapy 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 program 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 4% per year, 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.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: HP-RLTH-BS
Accelerated Program
The Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a 4+1 accelerated Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy (BSRT) and Master of Science in Recreational Therapy (MSRT) 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 MSRT typically within a year after completing the BSRT. Students complete the first four years of the accelerated program on Temple University's Main Campus and the fifth year online. Learn more about the accelerated BSRT to MSRT program.
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 recreational therapy, 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, wellbeing 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: New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, 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.
https://www.atra-online.com/certification-and-licensure
Contact Information
Aurora Verlin, MS, CTRS
Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Program Director and Instructor
Temple University
1700 N. Broad Street Suite 304C
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-2703
aurora.verlin@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) 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
Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in-person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements. Visit Student Health Services for more information on Prematriculation Requirements.
All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents is required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.
Students who attend CPH programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprinting is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.
The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their 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 depending on the field of study.
In addition to the above, students attending the Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification for Healthcare Professionals.
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 | ||
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| or PSY 1003 | Statistics for Psychology | |
| or SOC 1167 | Social Statistics | |
| 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 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 | |
| Assistive Technology in Recreation | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health | ||
| 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
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 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. The Recreational Therapy Program Director and the Recreational Therapy Advisor are available to work with students, as needed, to adjust their academic plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors 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 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors 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 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| KINS 1223 or KINS 1221 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 1 or Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I | 3-4 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| KINS 1224 or KINS 1222 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1 or Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II | 3-4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Biostatistics and Public Health | ||
| Statistics for Psychology | ||
| Social Statistics | ||
| 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 | |
| Assistive Technology in Recreation 4 | ||
| Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health 5 | ||
| 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 | |
| Adventure Challenge/Programming 6 | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging 6 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| RCTH 3802 | Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| 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 |
| Elective | 2-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4185 | Internship II in Recreational Therapy | 12 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121-125 | |
- 1
Students should consult with their advisor for information on the distinctions between the Anatomy and Physiology selection sequence and its implication for 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 and 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
Course offered in the Fall semester only.
- 5
Course offered every other Fall semester.
- 6
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.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated program may be of interest to students in the Recreational Therapy BS:
College of Public Health