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  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)
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