Therapeutic Recreation

Discover a treatment service designed to improve the quality of life and leisure needs of people with illnesses and/or disabilities.  

Learn how a Recreational Therapist can use a wide range of therapeutic activity and community-based interventions and techniques to promote health and wellness. Through academic coursework and fieldwork experiences, students will learn to implement an evidence-based practice that utilizes therapeutic recreation intervention to achieve positive outcomes. 

National Certification for Therapeutic Recreation

Successful completion of the NCTRC Certification Exam is a requirement of the CTRS credentialing application process. Learn more about the NCTRC Certification Standards.

Career Path

Recreational therapists assist clients in developing skills, knowledge and behaviors for daily living and community involvement in a variety of settings:

• Long-Term Residential Care
• Hospitals & Clinics
• Community Park and Recreation Departments
• Residential group homes
• School systems
• Correctional facilities
• Home health
• Outdoor Treatment Programs
• Mental Health and Substance Use Programs 
• Respite and Hospice Centers
• Veteran Services
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities 
• Graduate School 

Students interested in pursuing their master’s degree may find a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation complements the following graduate degrees:

• Occupational Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Counseling
• Gerontology
• Therapeutic Recreation Administration
• Health Administration 
• Public Health