Therapeutic Recreation Concentration
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Why study therapeutic recreation at CMU?
CMU's therapeutic recreation program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience necessary to become a nationally certified therapeutic recreation specialist. As you explore educational options, consider these key features that distinguish CMU's therapeutic recreation program:
- Faculty and staff dedicated to preparing students for positions as therapeutic recreation specialists.
- Extensive professional internships under the supervision of a nationally certified therapeutic recreation specialist
- Help with internship placement through the Center for Leisure Services
- Professional, volunteer and social opportunities through the Student Recreation Association
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of recreational therapists is expected to increase 4 percent from 2006 to 2016. Employment of recreational therapists will grow to meet the therapy needs of the increasing number of older adults. In nursing care facilities—the largest industry employing recreational therapists—employment will grow slightly faster than the occupation as a whole as the number of older adults continues to grow. Fast employment growth is expected in the residential and outpatient settings that serve people who are physically disabled, cognitively disabled, or elderly or who have mental illness or substance abuse problems. Employment is expected to decline in hospitals, however, as services shift to outpatient settings and employers emphasize cost containment.
Health care facilities will support a growing number of jobs in adult day care and outpatient programs offering short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Rehabilitation, home health care, and transitional programs will provide additional jobs.
Career options
Recreation, parks, and leisure services administration graduates will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Clinics and Hospitals
- Residential Facilities
- Rehabilitation Settings
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Mental Health Settings
- Adult Day Centers
- Municipal Recreation Departments
- Agencies Working With People With Developmental Disabilities
- Agencies Working With At-Risk Youth
- Camp Programs
- Correctional Facilities
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Recreation: Therapeutic Recreation Concentration
The goal of the Therapeutic Recreation concentration is to prepare students to serve as competent practitioners in the role of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. This concentration is nationally accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association. Students in this program develop skills to work with a variety of special populations in diverse health care settings.
In addition to structured coursework a strong emphasis is placed on practical training via numerous volunteer placements and a full-time clinical internship under a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. Upon completion of all coursework and professional internship, the student is eligible to sit for the national certifying examination administered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Academic advisors work closely with students in the selection and scheduling of courses to assure timely completion of degree and major requirements.
( Total: 54-74 semester hours )
(45-60 hours)
Required Courses I
( Note: RPL 320 - Students seeking a B.S. or B.A. degree will complete a one semester 15 credit hour internship in a clinical setting. Students seeking a B.A.A. degree will complete a 30 hour internship (in two unique settings, one of which must be clinical). )
3
PSY 250 Abnormal Psychology
Nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 100. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
2
RPL 118 Introduction to Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services
The nature, scope, and significance of recreation, parks, and leisure in today's world. A survey of professional opportunities.
3
RPL 206 Recreation Activities Leadership
Simple crafts, dramatics, games of low organization, individual sports, social events, and hobbies. Methods, techniques, and organization in recreation.
3
RPL 210 Recreation for Diverse Populations
Introduction of recreation programming for diverse populations including: population characteristics, programming applications (benefits/constraints), legal and legislative considerations, and history/trends.
1
RPL 310 Pre-Internship in Leisure Services
Preparation for participation in the internship experience. Should be taken two semesters prior to internship. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: RPL 204 or 210 or 216 or 261.
1-30
RPL 320 Internship in Recreation
In-depth, capstone internship experience in commercial, community, therapeutic, or outdoor recreation. Prerequisite: RPL 310.
3
RPL 341 Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities
Implications for therapeutic recreation in the rehabilitative process involving persons with physical disabilities. Prerequisites: RPL 210, PES 386, or SPE 126
3
RPL 342 Therapeutic Recreation: Emotional Impairments
The role of therapeutic recreation in the rehabilitation process and implementation of diagnostically designed programs for the emotionally impaired.
3
RPL 345 Therapeutic Recreation: Gerontology
Concepts, interventions, and therapeutic recreation programming strategies for elderly people with disabilities.
3
RPL 518 Research & Philosophy in RPL
This course explores the philosophical, social, and historical foundations of parks, recreation and leisure. Develops skills for research in leisure service settings. Prerequisites: 14 credits in RPL or graduate status.
3
RPL 580 Programming for Therapeutic Recreation
Programming techniques for Therapeutic Recreation. Prerequisites: RPL 210 or graduate status. Pre/Co-Requisites: Two of the following: RPL 340, 341, 342, 344, 345.
3
RPL 581 Therapeutic Recreation: Issues and Trends
Current issues and trends related to therapeutic recreation service delivery including: professional credentialing, third-party reimbursement, accreditation standards, legislation, ethics, and other administrative issues. Prerequisite: RPL 210 or graduate status. Pre/Co-Requisites: Two of the following RPL 340, 341,342, 344, 345.
(3 hours)
Required Courses II
Select one of the following:
3
HDF 100 Lifespan Development
Study of the basic principles of human development and their relation to family interactions throughout the lifespan. (University Program Group III-A) Recommended: Students who have taken EDU 280 or PSY 220 should seek departmental advice prior to enrollment.
3
PSY 220 Developmental Psychology
The development of human behavior from conception through old age will be examined in terms of psychological, social, and biological processes. Prerequisite: PSY 100. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
(3-8 hours)
Required Courses III
Choose one of the following options:
3
HSC 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology
Introductory course in structure and function of the human body. (University Program Group II-A)
4
HSC 214 Human Anatomy
A comprehensive course in the structure of the human body organized by systems. Laboratory work includes identification of fundamental anatomical structures on models and cadavers. Prerequisites: HSC 211 or college level natural science course.
4
HSC 215 Human Physiology
A comprehensive course that studies the function of the organ systems of the human body. Laboratory work in fundamental physiological principles is included. Pre/Co-Requisite: HSC 214.
One of the following OR 3 hours in RPL coursework in consultation with advisor
3
RPL 340 Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental Disabilities
Concepts, interventions and therapeutic recreation programming strategies for persons with developmental disabilities.
3
RPL 344 Therapeutic Recreation: Alcohol and Drug Dependency
The role of therapeutic recreation in the preventative and rehabilitative process of programs for persons with alcohol and chemical dependency disorders.