The Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation degree is an accredited program of the Council on Accreditation of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (COAPRT). The program exists within the framework to utilize recreation activities and other active treatment modalities, to increase the functional abilities and quality of life of people of all ages with disabilities and illness. This preparation places priority on the development of skills through applied learning experiences and community involvement. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam and credentialed to work in the field.
Longwood’s nationally recognized Therapeutic Recreation program provides students with a comprehensive foundation of: liberal arts, biological and health sciences, social sciences, disability studies and leisure theory. The technical aspects of the Therapeutic Recreation profession are taught within specialty courses emphasizing professional and therapeutic communication, program planning, intervention techniques, clinical assessment and documentation, clinical reasoning, management and research.
Sequence and Progression
The requirements of this professional preparation program are designed to academically prepare the student in a sequenced offering of coursework. The sequence and progression of the student in the curriculum will be determined and monitored by the therapeutic recreation faculty.
- Critical to student learning is that all therapeutic recreation majors, or intending majors, must complete BIOL 206 /BIOL 207 (Anatomy and Physiology); HLTH 275 - Medical Terminology or equivalencies by the second year of study.
A transfer student must show evidence of prior learning, or equivalencies in these courses to enable them to progress in the sequence as determined.
- All upper level Therapeutic Recreation content courses are available only to Therapeutic Recreation majors, or permission by the Program Coordinator.
Fieldwork and Internship Requirements
Successful completion of this degree program requires practical experience, beyond the classroom. The following progression and requirements are identified below:
- Preliminary Fieldwork
All students must complete 120 hours of volunteer work in a therapeutic recreation setting which includes working with persons with disabilities. The recording of these hours will be the responsibility of the student. All 120 hours must be completed before students can begin the process of securing an internship.
- Junior Internship
Eligibility for junior internship requires the successful completion of all courses at the 100, 200, and 300 levels. The student must maintain a 2.50 GPA in all Therapeutic Recreation content coursework, and a 2.25 GPA overall. The junior internship reflects a minimum 400-hour, 10-12 consecutive week placement the summer after the junior year.
- Senior Internship
Eligibility for senior internship requires the successful completion of all coursework in the curriculum. The student must maintain a 2.50 GPA in Therapeutic Recreation coursework, and a 2.25 GPA overall. The senior internship reflects a 560 hour, minimum of 14 consecutive weeks placement to be taken during the last semester of the senior year. Placement must be in an affiliated agency, and supervision carried out by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS®). University and NCTRC standards will be adhered to throughout this experience.
Upon graduation, students become eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC®). The processes for application are the responsibility of the graduate, and the university cannot enter into the process. Application is available at www.nctrc.org.
Students must have a “C-” or better in all major required courses which also includes HLTH 275 , BIOL 206 , BIOL 207 , PSYC 230 and PSYC 356 .
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