Overview
The Minor in Recreational Therapy is offered by 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.
This minor contains two tracks:
Recreational Therapy Minor (Certification Track): This minor is earned upon satisfactory completion of the required 21 semester hours of credit with a minimum of a C in all Recreational Therapy Minor required, elective and internship coursework. This minor contains the required recreational therapy coursework and internship experience set forth by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) for eligibility to sit for the national recreational therapy credentialing exam. Special Note: To sit for the national exam, NCTRC additionally requires the completion of a baccalaureate degree that includes 18 semester hours of support coursework with a minimum of:
- three (3) semester hours coursework in the content area of anatomy and physiology;
- three (3) semester hours coursework in the content area of abnormal psychology; and,
- three (3) semester hours coursework in the content area of human growth and development across the lifespan.
Students should consult with their academic advisor to integrate this coursework into their major's academic plan.
Recreational Therapy Minor (Non-Certification Track): This minor is earned upon satisfactory completion of the required 18 semester hours of credit with a minimum of a C in all Recreational Therapy Minor required and elective coursework. Students completing this minor may not be eligible to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) national credentialing examination for recreational therapists. This minor does not provide the recreational therapy internship experience required by NCTRC for completion of the academic path to certification.
Campus Location: Main
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
Summary of Requirements
Clearance Requirements
Students attending Temple University's 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 Recreational Therapy minor are required to show proof of health insurance, and proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification for Healthcare Professionals.
Recreational Therapy Minor Requirements
Students complete specific courses in the minor depending upon the track chosen: Certification Track or Non-Certification Track. All Minor in Recreational Therapy courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Non-Certification Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RCTH 2103 | Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| RCTH 2104 | Recreational Therapy Modalities 1 | 3 |
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy 1 | 3 |
| Recreational Therapy Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology in Recreation | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Physical and Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | ||
| Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | ||
| Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health 1 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
- 1
This course requires additional prerequisites.
Certification Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RCTH 2103 | Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| RCTH 2104 | Recreational Therapy Modalities 1 | 3 |
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy 1 | 3 |
| Recreational Therapy Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology in Recreation | ||
| Adventure Challenge/Programming | ||
| Health, Activity, and Aging | ||
| Physical and Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | ||
| Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | ||
| Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health 1 | ||
| Certification Track Internship Experience 2 | ||
| RCTH 4185 | Internship II in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| Certification Track Prerequisite Courses 3 | ||
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Social Sciences and Humanities Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 39-40 | |
- 1
This course requires additional prerequisites.
- 2
Students who would like to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam must complete a 560-hour internship under a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). This course must be completed after the required Recreational Therapy Minor courses and electives are complete.
- 3
Students will not take these certification track prerequisite courses as a part of their minor curriculum, but are recommended to complete them in order to sit for the certification exam. Options that count for the recommended 9 credits in social sciences and humanities can be discussed with your advisor.