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What is Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is an established profession found in health care and human service agencies. It has a unique role in promoting play, recreation and leisure as a means to psychological and physical recovery, health and well-being among individuals with disabilities. TR professionals use individual and group counseling techniques and play, recreation and other activities to maximize an individual’s functioning and promote quality of life.
What program of study does Temple offer in Therapeutic Recreation?
Temple offers a four (4) year program, leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Therapeutic Recreation. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification in order to earn the credentials Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Education (EdM) in Therapeutic Recreation. Students interested in doctoral studies are admitted to the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Health Studies and can develop a cognate specialization in therapeutic recreation or disability studies.
What are the career opportunities in Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic Recreation professionals are employed in a variety of settings including mental health agencies, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation hospitals, adult day care programs, substance recovery programs, pediatric facilities, community recreation centers, developmental disability centers, and after school programs. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities are expected to continue growing due to expansion in long term care and assisted living services, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation, and other services for people with disabilities.
In these settings, recreation therapists advocate for, plan, organize and deliver recreation services to maximize an individual’s independence and social integration. Examples of TR interventions vary from setting to setting, but might include: adapted aquatics, therapeutic horseback riding, wheelchair sports, medical play, animal assisted therapy, creative arts, and outdoor/adventure programming.
What do students study as Therapeutic Recreation majors?
Undergraduate students take courses in English Composition, Intellectual Heritage, Writing Intensives and CORE Electives in the areas of American Culture, Individual & Society, Arts, Foreign Language/International Studies, Science & Technology, Studies in Race and Electives. Students are also required to take courses in Psychology, Kinesiology and Statistics.
Professional courses completed in the Therapeutic Recreation Department include:
· Assessment and Documentation
· Modalities in Therapeutic Recreation
· TR and Long Term Care
· TR and the Hospitalized Child
· TR and Physical Disabilities
· TR and Mental Health
· Clinical Procedures in TR
· Adapted Sports and Fitness for Individuals with Disabilities
In addition to coursework, Therapeutic Recreation majors complete two (2) internships. Internships enable students to apply their knowledge and skills to health issues in a supervised real-world setting. Therapeutic Recreation students graduate with more than 600 hours of hands-on, practical experience.
What high school preparation is recommended for a major in Therapeutic Recreation?
Students should take college preparatory courses in high school. Special emphasis should be given to math, science, and psychology.
What is the application process for Therapeutic Recreation?
Incoming freshmen and transfer students must apply at the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Temple University and designate Therapeutic Recreation as their intended major. Students currently enrolled at Temple University should contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor in the College of Health Professions to obtain an Intra-University Transfer Application and for a personal interview. Students must possess a minimum GPA of 2.5 before transferring.
Where can a find out more information?
For more information about Therapeutic Recreation, visit the web site: http://www.temple.edu/TR
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