Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate:
- 36 for those who hold NCTRC national certification (see Course Sequence A).
- 36 plus 3 credits of Recreational Therapy-specific leveling coursework for those without NCTRC national certification (see Course Sequence B). Note that other supportive coursework may be required to sit for the national credentialing examination for therapeutic recreation specialist certification. Specialization electives can be used to meet advanced certification from NCTRC after one year of full-time employment as a recreational therapist.
Required Courses:
Course Sequence A (for those with NCTRC national certification)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 1 | 0 |
| A1: Required Core Graduate Courses | ||
| RCTH 5001 | Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy 2 | 3 |
| RCTH 5102 | Recreational Therapy: Now and Then 2 | 3 |
| RCTH 5301 | Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I 2 | 3 |
| RCTH 5302 | Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II 3 | 3 |
| RCTH 5311 | Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy 3 | 3 |
| RCTH 5312 | Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions 3 | 3 |
| RCTH 5402 | Recreational Therapy Administration and Management 3 | 3 |
| RCTH 5442 | Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy 2 | 3 |
| A2: Electives | ||
| Select four of the following based on interests/needs: | 12 | |
HRPR 8985 | Teaching in Higher Education: Health Professions | |
RCTH 5009 | Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions 4 | |
RCTH 5204 | Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology 5 | |
RCTH 5205 | Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Services 4 | |
RCTH 5212 | Play and Pediatric Development 4 | |
RCTH 5214 | Child Life Interventions 5 | |
RCTH 5250 | Special Topics in Recreational Therapy | |
RCTH 5314 | Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy | |
RCTH 5315 | Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy 5 | |
RCTH 5382 | Independent Study | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
This core course is required of all graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.
- 2
This course is offered in the Fall semester.
- 3
This course is offered in the Spring semester.
- 4
This course is offered every other Fall semester.
- 5
This course is offered every other Spring semester.
Course Sequence B (for those without NCTRC national certification)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 1 | 0 |
| B1: Required Leveling/Supportive Undergraduate Courses 2 | ||
| KINS 1221 | Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| Additional credits in the content areas of social sciences and humanities. | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| B2: Required Core Graduate Courses | ||
| RCTH 5001 | Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy 4 | 3 |
| RCTH 5102 | Recreational Therapy: Now and Then 4 | 3 |
| RCTH 5301 | Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I 4 | 3 |
| RCTH 5302 | Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II 5 | 3 |
| RCTH 5311 | Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy 5 | 3 |
| RCTH 5312 | Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions 5 | 3 |
| RCTH 5402 | Recreational Therapy Administration and Management 5 | 3 |
| RCTH 5442 | Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy 4 | 3 |
| RCTH 5787 | Recreational Therapy Practicum 3 | 3 |
| B3: Electives | ||
| Select three of the following based on interests/needs: | 9 | |
RCTH 5009 | Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions 6 | |
RCTH 5204 | Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology 7 | |
RCTH 5205 | Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Services 6 | |
RCTH 5212 | Play and Pediatric Development 6 | |
RCTH 5214 | Child Life Interventions 7 | |
RCTH 5250 | Special Topics in Recreational Therapy | |
RCTH 5261 | Disability Seminar on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions 4 | |
RCTH 5271 | Disability Seminar on Physical and Neurological Health Conditions 5 | |
RCTH 5314 | Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy | |
RCTH 5315 | Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy 7 | |
RCTH 5382 | Independent Study | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
This core course is required of all graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.
- 2
Depending on one's undergraduate major, some requirements may have already been completed. These credits do not count toward the MS credit totals, but are needed in order to be eligible to sit for the NCTRC certification exam (see https://www.nctrc.org/). The MS Program Coordinator reviews official transcript(s) and identifies any coursework needed. Any uncompleted requirements may be taken at an institution other than Temple University, with approval of the MS Program Coordinator. All required leveling/supportive undergraduate coursework must be completed by the time the student has accrued 15 credits in the MS program at Temple University.
- 3
RCTH 5787 Recreational Therapy Practicum is a 560-hour field placement experience under the supervision of a full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at an approved agency site. The student works with a faculty advisor in the selection of a site for this experience. RCTH 5787 is designed to meet NCTRC internship requirements for eligibility to sit for the NCTRC certification exam.
- 4
This course is offered in the Fall semester.
- 5
This course is offered in the Spring semester.
- 6
This course is offered every other Fall semester.
- 7
This course is offered every other Spring semester.
Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-
Culminating Event: Successful completion of coursework constitutes the culminating event for the MS in Recreational Therapy.