Academic Programs / Health Professions
Therapeutic Recreation
John Shank, Ed. D., CTRS, Program Director
1700 N. Broad Street
Suite 304
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Main Office Phone: 215-204-2703
Fax: 215-204-1386
www.temple.edu/tr
The Therapeutic Recreation Program is composed of three degrees: a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation, an MS in Recreation Therapy, and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Health Ecology. Recreation therapists use recreation and leisure activities to facilitate recovery, health, and wellness in individuals with disabilities. The primary goal of the undergraduate program is to prepare entry-level recreation therapists to deliver rehabilitation, health promotion, and disease prevention programs to individuals with disabilities. Alumni of Temple’s 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 continue growing in the residential and outpatient settings that serve persons with disabilities, the elderly, or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems, including community care facilities for the elderly (including assisted-living facilities), residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities; and facilities that provide individual and family services (such as day-care centers for person with disabilities and the elderly).
Mission of the Program
The Therapeutic Recreation 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 evidenced-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 therapeutic recreation 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 Therapeutic Recreation Program is a commitment to access and diversity. This is realized through a commitment to ensuring equal access to all qualified applicants (students and faculty) 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.
Certification
Following satisfactory completion of all coursework and internship requirements, graduates with the Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation are eligible to sit for the national certifying examination in therapeutic recreation administered by Educational Testing Services and the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Therapeutic Recreation - Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Therapeutic Recreation is awarded to students upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 121 semester hours of credit with a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and 2.5 in the major. Students completing this degree are eligible to sit for the national credentialing examination for recreation therapists.
Summary of Requirements
1. University Requirements.
- All new students starting in the 2010-2011 academic year and beyond are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- Math 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), 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 required for Therapeutic Recreation include TR 3196: Research and Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation and TR 4196: Therapeutic Recreation Clinical Procedures.
2. Therapeutic Recreation Program Requirements. Students must complete a set of specific courses in the major, including Health Related Professions Core, Cognate Core, Therapeutic Recreation major courses, and two credit-earning field-based clinical internships (THERREC 3185 and THERREC 4185). Students may choose from a list of approved external related electives, which are courses related to the major, and required for certification, but offered outside the department. Students must also complete other non-credit earning requirements as part of the major, including 120 hours of professional/volunteer experiences relevant to the major and certification in First-Aid/CPR.
- Health Related Professions Core (6 s.h.). Two (2) courses are required:
a. Select one from HRP 1101, HRP 1201, or THERREC 0813; and
b. HRP 2103
- Cognate Core (16 s.h.). Five (5) courses are required:
Kinesiology 1223, Psychology 1061, Psychology/Sociology 1167, Psychology 2301 or Education 1322, and Psychology 2201
Students must successfully pass all Health Related Professions courses and Cognate Core courses with a minimum grade of C or higher. Students not demonstrating the ability to meet this academic requirement will not be permitted to progress to the Upper-Division Therapeutic Recreation Core and related electives in the curriculum until the minimum grade of C is achieved.
- External Related Electives (3 s.h.)
Students will seek advisement from the Manager of Student Services/Academic Advisor in the Therapeutic Recreation Program for approved external related electives.
- Lower-Division Therapeutic Recreation Coursework (6 s.h.). Two (2) courses are required:
Therapeutic Recreation 1102, 2103
- Upper-Division Therapeutic Recreation Coursework (48 s.h.). Thirteen (13) courses are required:
a. Therapeutic Recreation 2104, 3101, 3103, 3111, 3196, 4111, 4196
b. Two Internship Experiences: THERREC 3185 (3 s.h.), THERREC 4185 (12 s.h.)
c. Therapeutic Recreation Electives: Choose Four (4) from the following: THERREC 2201, 2203, 2205, 3203, 4205, 4211, 3213, 5101
All Therapeutic Recreation courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. In accordance with college policy, students may only repeat a course once to achieve the minimum grade of C.
Suggested Semester by Semester Plan
The following grid 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.
GenEd Requirements for Newly Admitted Freshman Students
Year 1 – Fall Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
English |
0802, 0812 or 0902 |
Analytical Reading & Writing |
4 |
GW |
HRP |
2103 |
Health Psychology & Human Behavior |
3 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Human Behavior |
3 |
GB |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Race & Diversity |
3 |
GD |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Global/World Society |
3 |
GG |
Subtotal |
|
|
16 |
|
|
Year 1 – Spring Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Intellectual Heritage |
0851 or 0951 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I |
3 |
GY |
GenEd
|
08xx or 09xx |
Quantitative Literacy* |
4 |
GQ |
Psychology |
1061 |
Psychology as a Social Science |
3 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
U.S. Society |
3 |
GU |
Therapeutic Recreation |
1102 |
Adapted Sport, Recreation & Inclusive Leisure Services |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
16 |
|
* C+IN SC 0823 or Math 0824 recommended to meet prerequisite for Statistics class required for the Therapeutic Recreation major. |
|
Year 2 – Fall Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Intellectual Heritage |
0852 or 0952 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II |
3 |
GZ |
Kinesiology |
1223 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I* |
4 |
GS |
Therapeutic Recreation |
2103 |
Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice |
3 |
|
HRP
or
Therapeutic Recreation
or
HRP |
1101
or
0813
or
1201 |
Contemporary Aspects of Disability
or
Disability Identity
or
Introduction to Health Professions |
3 |
GB |
Select one of the following Psychology or Education courses: |
3 |
|
Psychology
or
Education |
2301
or
1322 |
Foundations of Developmental Psychology
or
The Developing Individual across the Life Span |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
16 |
|
* Satisfactory completion of Kinesiology 1223 along with Kinesiology 1224 or any GS will meet the two-course GenEd Science & Technology requirement. |
|
Year 2 – Spring Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Elective
or
Therapeutic Recreation |
Elective
or
4205 |
Elective
or
Therapeutic Recreation in Geriatric Service Settings* |
3 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Arts |
3-4 |
GA |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Science & Technology or Kinesiology 1224** |
3-4 |
GS |
Therapeutic Recreation |
2104 |
Therapeutic Recreation Modalities |
3 |
|
Select one of the following Sociology/Psychology courses: |
3 |
|
Sociology
or
Psychology |
1167
or
1167 |
Social Statistics
or
Foundations in Statistical Methods |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15-17 |
|
* Four THERREC Elective courses (12 s.h.) required for graduation. THERREC 4205 is only offered in the Spring Semester. |
** Satisfactory completion of Kinesiology 1223 along with Kinesiology 1224 or any GS will meet the two-course GenEd Science & Technology requirement. |
Please note: Therapeutic Recreation 2203 and 2205 will also satisfy a Therapeutic Recreation Elective. These courses are offered in the summer semesters. |
|
Year 3 – Fall Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
3101 |
Therapeutic Recreation Assessment & Documentation |
3 |
|
Psychology |
2201 |
Foundations of Psychopathology |
3 |
|
Elective |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Select from the following Therapeutic Recreation Electives:* |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
3203
or
2201
or
5101 |
Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Developmental Disabilities**
or
Health Activity & Aging**
(graduate-level course; with permission only) |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
* Four THERREC Elective courses (12 s.h.) required for graduation. |
**These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
Please note: Therapeutic Recreation 2203 and 2205 will also satisfy a Therapeutic Recreation Elective. These courses are offered in the summer semesters. |
|
Year 3 – Spring Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
3103 |
Professional Seminar II |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
3111 |
Health Promotion through Leisure Education |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
3185 |
Internship I |
3 |
|
Elective |
|
Elective |
2-6 |
|
Select from the following Therapeutic Recreation Electives:* |
3-6 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
4205
or
4211
or
3213
or
2205
|
Therapeutic Recreation in Geriatric Service Settings**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Physical Disabilities**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Pediatric Healthcare**
or
Adventure Challenge/Programming |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
17-18 |
|
* Four THERREC Elective courses (12 s.h.) required for graduation. |
**These courses are offered in the spring semester only. |
Please note: Therapeutic Recreation 2203 and 2205 will also satisfy a Therapeutic Recreation Elective. These courses are offered in the summer semesters. |
|
Year 4 – Fall Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
3196 |
Research & Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation^
|
3 |
WI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
4111 |
Administration of Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
4196 |
Therapeutic Recreation Clinical Procedures^^
|
3 |
WI |
Select from the following Therapeutic Recreation Electives:* |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
3203
or
2201
or
5101
|
Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Developmental Disabilities**
or
Health, Activity & Aging**
(graduate-level course; with permission only) |
|
|
Related Elective |
|
See advisor for course selection. *** |
2-3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
14-15 |
|
^ Indicates writing intensive capstone for the major. |
^^ Indicates writing intensive course for the major. |
* Four THERREC Elective courses (12 s.h.) required for graduation. |
**These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
*** Related Elective: The related elective course selected must qualify as supportive coursework in the area of human services for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. See advisor for additional clarification. |
|
Year 4 – Spring Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
4185 |
Internship II |
12 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Total Credits Required for Degree: |
121 (minimum) |
Note: Students may lighten their academic load in the fall and spring semesters by taking classes during the summer sessions. Please see your advisor to explore summer course offerings and suitable options.
GenEd-to-GenEd Transfer Curriculum
The following course sequencing for Fall and Spring transfers is based on meeting Temple University's GenEd-to-GenEd Transfer requirements for students with an approved associate degree from a community college with an approved GenEd-to-GenEd agreement. (See GenEd Transfer programs at www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/general_education/transfer.shtm). If your transfer courses do not include coursework in anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, and abnormal psychology, you will be required to take these courses as part of your B.S. degree. In some instances, the general elective requirements identified may be used to meet this requirement. Students should check with their academic advisor and faculty mentor regularly to make certain they are meeting all requirements to be eligible for graduation.
FALL TRANSFER
1st Semester - Fall |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
HRP
or
Therapeutic Recreation
or
HRP |
1101
or
0813
or
1201 |
Contemporary Aspects of Disability
or
Disability Identity
or
Introduction to Health Professions |
3 |
GB |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
1102 |
Adapted Sport, Recreation & Inclusive Leisure Services |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
2103 |
Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
2104 |
Therapeutic Recreation Modalities |
3 |
|
Related Elective |
|
See advisor for course selection* |
3 |
|
Select from the following Therapeutic Recreation courses: |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3203
or
2201
or
5101 |
Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Developmental Disabilities**
or
Health, Activity & Aging**
(graduate-level course; with permission only) |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
18 |
|
* Related Elective: The related elective course selected must qualify as supportive coursework in the area of human services for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. See advisor for additional clarification. |
** These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
Please note: Therapeutic Recreation 2203 and 2205 will also satisfy a Therapeutic Recreation Elective. These courses are offered in the summer semesters. |
|
2nd Semester - Spring |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3101 |
Therapeutic Recreation Assessment & Documentation |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3103 |
Professional Seminar II |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
3111 |
Health Promotion through Leisure Education
|
3 |
|
Health Related Professions |
2103 |
Health Psychology & Human Behavior |
3 |
|
Select two of the following Therapeutic Recreation courses: |
6 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4205
or
4211
or
3213
or
2205 |
Therapeutic Recreation in Geriatric Service Settings*
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Physical Disabilities*
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Pediatric Health Care*
or
Adventure Challenge/Programming |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
18 |
|
* These courses are offered in the spring semester only. |
|
3rd Semester - Summer |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3185 |
Internship I |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
3 |
|
|
4th Semester - Fall |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3196 |
Research & Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation^ |
3 |
WI* |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4111 |
Administration of Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4196 |
Therapeutic Recreation Clinical Procedures^^
|
3 |
WI* |
Related Elective |
|
See advisor for course selection* |
3 |
|
Elective |
|
|
3 |
|
Select one of the following Therapeutic Recreation courses: |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3203
or
2201
or
5101 |
Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Developmental Disabilities**
or
Health, Activity & Aging**
(graduate-level course; with permission only) |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
18 |
|
^ Indicates writing-intensive capstone for the major. |
^^ Indicates writing-intensive course for the major. |
* Related Elective: The related elective course selected must qualify as supportive coursework in the area of human services for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. See advisor for additional clarification. |
** These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
|
5th Semester - Spring |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4185 |
Internship II |
12 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Credits Required for Degree |
121 (minimum) |
SPRING TRANSFER
1st Semester - Spring |
|
|
|
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
HRP
or
Therapeutic Recreation
or
HRP |
1101
or
0813
or
1201 |
Contemporary Aspects of Disability
or
Disability Identity
or
Introduction to Health Professions |
3 |
GB |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
1102 |
Adapted Sport, Recreation & Inclusive Leisure Services |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
2103 |
Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
2104 |
Therapeutic Recreation Modalities |
3 |
|
Health Related Professions |
2103 |
Health Psychology & Human Behavior |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3101 |
Therapeutic Recreation Assessment & Documentation |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
18 |
|
|
2nd Semester - Summer |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic Recreation |
3185 |
Internship I |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
3 |
|
Please note: Therapeutic Recreation 2203 and 2205 will also satisfy a Therapeutic Recreation elective. These courses are offered in the summer semesters. |
|
3rd Semester - Fall |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
2201 |
Therapeutic Recreation & Developmental Disabilities* |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3103 |
Professional Seminar II |
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3196 |
Research & Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation^ |
3 |
WI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3203 |
Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health* |
3 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
4111 |
Administration of Therapeutic Recreation
|
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
* These courses are offered in the fall semester only. |
^ Indicates writing-intensive capstone for the major. |
|
4th Semester - Spring |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
3111 |
Health Promotion through Leisure Education
|
3 |
|
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4196 |
Therapeutic Recreation Clinical Procedures^
|
3 |
WI |
Related Elective |
|
See advisor for course selection* |
3 |
|
Related Elective |
|
See advisor for course selection* |
3 |
|
Select two of the following Therapeutic Recreation courses: |
6 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
2205
or
4211
or
3213
or
4205 |
Adventure Challenge/Programming
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Physical Disabilities**
or
Therapeutic Recreation & Pediatric Health Care**
or
Therapeutic Recreation in Geriatric Service Settings** |
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
18 |
|
^ Indicates writing-intensive course for the major. |
* Related Elective: The related elective course selected must qualify as supportive coursework in the area of human services for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. See advisor for additional clarification. |
** These courses are offered in the spring semester only. |
|
5th Semester - Summer |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Therapeutic
Recreation |
4185 |
Internship II |
12 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Credits Required for Degree |
121 (minimum) |
|