Therapeutic Recreation

Admission Information

Undergraduate | Graduate | Scholarships
Graduate Assistantships | Financial Aid

Admission Information for Undergradutates

Any freshman or transfer student who meets the University's admissions requirement may declare him or herself as a Therapeutic Recreation major at the time of admission.  The Office of Undergraduate Admissions processes all undergraduate applications for admission to all campuses of Temple University. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are notified of decisions four to six weeks after receipt of a completed application. Detailed information about undergraduate admission can be obtained at the undergraduate admissions web site http://www.temple.edu/undergrad. 

If you are already a Temple undergraduate and are undeclared or majoring in another subject area, you can transfer to the Therapeutic Recreation major, by completing an Intra-University Transfer (IUT) form. Students may initiate a transfer from another college or department at Temple into the Department of Therapeutic Recreation if they are in good academic standing, holding a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Students should contact  Nannette Vliet, Manager of Student Services (215.204.6733) for further information.

The Undergraduate Curriculum

The TR undergraduate curriculum at Temple University offers students diversity in their learning experiences by combining hands-on volunteer hours in therapeutic recreation programs with a challenging sequence of TR and health related courses. Students learn about disabling conditions, group facilitation techniques, client assessments and intervention planning and implementation processes used by recreation therapists. Students also learn ways to assist clients to use leisure and recreation activities to meet rehabilitation goals and exercise choice and self determination in their leisure time.

The undergraduate curriculum allows students to meet all of the eligibility requirements for taking the national certification exam administered by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).  Temple’s curriculum also allows you to get additional certification in horticulture therapy, gerontology, or interdisciplinary studies through related electives and workshops.

Successful completion of the program will result in a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Alumni of Temple's TR curriculum usually find employment immediately upon graduation.

Admission Information for Graduate Students

The Therapeutic Recreation Department offers an Ed.M. degree in TR and participates in an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in Health Studies. In both degrees, students develop an understanding of health and leisure behavior, and learn how to assist individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses to change behaviors that impact health, independence and quality of life through recreation and leisure. In both the master and doctoral programs, TR students have the opportunity to study with professional colleagues in diverse health-related fields (e.g., nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public health). This opportunity for interaction within the classroom creates a rich and stimulating environment for graduate study.

Scholarships

University Sponsored Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
Temple University has numerous grants and scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students. Each grant and scholarship has individual eligibility requirements and procedures. These opportunities can be reviewed at Temple University's web site for scholarship opportunities ( http://www.temple.edu/sfs ).

University Sponsored Scholarships for Graduate Students
Numerous scholarship opportunities exist for graduate studies at Temple University. These opportunities are detailed below.

University Funded Fellowships
Temple University funds a number of fellowship programs for graduate students. Most fellowships are restricted to full-time students in terminal degree programs and are intended, in part, to recruit students. No service is required of fellowship recipients. A subcommittee of the Graduate Board generally makes awards after receipt of nominations from graduate programs. Presidential, Russell Conwell and University Fellowships are available. All fellowship awards carry a 12-month stipend and full tuition remission. Awards are for one year. Students in doctoral programs are generally eligible for a second year of support. Nominations are solicited early in the spring semester, awards are made before April 1st.

Dissertation Completion Grants
These awards are intended to help students in the last stages of their graduate careers complete their degree requirements in a timely fashion. Only doctoral students who have completed all degree requirements except the research for the dissertation and the writing of the dissertation are eligible for Dissertation Grants. Dissertation grants carry a two-semester stipend and no tuition remission. They are not renewable.

The Future Faculty Fellows Program
Using Temple's Fund for Broader Participation, this program awards 20 to 25 fellowships each year to newly matriculated students. Nominations are solicited in the spring semester and most awards are made by the middle of April. Nominees must be American citizens or resident aliens, have been accepted to a Temple graduate program, and intend to pursue a career in higher education. Nominees are evaluated using the following criteria:

• Demand in higher education for faculty in the nominee's discipline,
• Membership in an ethnic or gender groups which is underrepresented in the nominee's discipline
• Record of exceptional and continuous leadership ability in substantial college or community activities,
• Likelihood of successfully completing a terminal degree program
• Exceptional circumstances or significant obstacles that a nominee has overcome in his or her prior education

Teaching and Research Assistantships

Assistantships Available

Teaching and research assistantships and externships for masters and doctoral studies are available. Teaching assistantships provide 18 s.h. of tuition remission per year and a generous 10 month stipend.  Externships are available in various administrative departments throughout the University, including student recreation services.  Externships provide a monthly stipend, in exchange for work, which can support your graduate education.  For further information contact Dr. John Shank, Professor, Therapeutic Recreation Department, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, 313B, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Financial Aid

Assistance with financial aid and information on this topic is located at the Financial Aid Office, 2nd floor Cornell Hall. All student loan applications are processed at this office.