Recreation Therapy is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition. Recreational therapists work with clients to restore motor, social and cognitive functioning, build confidence, develop coping skills, and integrate skills learned in treatment settings into community settings. Intervention areas vary widely and are based upon client interests. Examples of intervention modalities include creative arts (e.g., crafts, music, dance, drama, among others), sports, adventure programming, dance/movement, and leisure education. Students in Recreation Therapy concentration are prepared for entry-level practitioners at the specialist, supervisory, and/or administrative levels of practice. The curriculum is consistent with the standards published by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Coursework is established to enable the student to effectively provide diverse recreation and leisure services to a wide variety of populations.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be prepared to enter professional practice in active treatment, leisure education, transitional treatment community-based leisure service delivery systems, and recreational therapists in hospitals, mental and physical rehabilitation centers, retirement communities, and special education centers. Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Recreational therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.
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