Recreational Therapy, B.A
Pam Griffin, MBA, CTRS, Program Coordinator
908-737-3820
Ocean and Union Campus
Email: pgriffin@kean.edu
Certification/Licensure:
This program prepares students to take the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam as administered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, a requirement for New Jersey State Licensure as a Recreational Therapist.
Admissions/Declaration Requirements:
Applicants who satisfy freshman or transfer requirements for admission to the University, along with the following:
- Have a current overall Kean GPA of 2.5
- Meet with a recreational therapy faculty member to discuss student’s interest in the major and review current program evaluation (if available).
- Provide a copy of unofficial transcript from every college and university attended
- Complete Declaration of major form
- Complete Admission Information Sheet
Conditional Admission into the Major - Students with a GPA below 2.5 may be admitted as an intended major but must obtain a 2.5 GPA by the time they have completed 15 credits in the major. Students are required to develop a plan for achieving a 2.5 GPA during the first semester in the major.
Graduation Requirements:
- Have an overall GPA of 2.5
- Achieve a grade of B- or higher in ENG 1030 (College Composition) or equivalent
- Achieve a C or better in all Science courses
- Have a current 2.5 GPA to take TR 3930 and TR 4530
- Complete all Field work requirements with a grade of B or better
- Maintain a C or better in major requirements, unless otherwise indicated, and additional course requirements. (B or better in field classes is required)
Program Description:
The BA in Recreational Therapy degree program affords students the opportunity to train in a career as a recreational therapist. Recreational Therapists plan, manage and administer recreational-based and other appropriate intervention programs for people with a variety of disabilities, injuries, illnesses or limitations. Recreational Therapist conduct leisure and functional assessments to determine clients’ strengths and areas in need of improvement and collaborate on treatment teams with other allied health professionals such as counselors, occupational, physical and speech therapists and assist clients in developing healthy lifestyles. Positions in Recreational Therapy are commonly found in physical rehabilitation departments, pediatric hospitals, psychiatric facilities and treatment centers, long term care facilities, adult day care centers, community recreation agencies and home based services.
The Recreational Therapy Degree also includes pre-requisite courses that may be required to apply for graduate programs in the health sciences including occupational therapy. Students must have an overall 2.5 GPA to be accepted into and graduate from the Recreational Therapy program.
General Education 42
Foundation Requirements 13
GE 1000, GE 3000: University Requirement for Graduation for all undergraduate students that must be satisfied in one of two ways: Complete GE 1000 (all freshmen and transfers entering with 0-29 credits) OR GE 3000 (transfers entering with 30 credits or more).
Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Distribution Requirements 25-26
Humanities 9
ENG 2403: GE Distribution Course required of all students.
Select Two GE Approved courses from two areas below:
| Fine Arts or Art History | 3 |
| Philosophy or Religion | 3 |
| Foreign Languages (Must take I and II for credit) | 3 |
| Music or Theatre | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary | 3 |
Social Sciences 9
HIST 1062: GE Distribution Course required of all students.
Select One GE Approved courses from the following:
Students must maintain a B or better grade in all Prerequisite for OT.
Science and Math 7-8
BIO 1000: A grade of "C" or higher is required.
Additional Required Courses 13
Additional Required Courses 13
A grade if "C" or higher is required for all additional required courses.
PSY 1000: Prerequisite for PSY 3110 and PSY 3540.
BIO*2403, PSY*3110 and PSY*3540 are required for CTRS certification
Students applying for OT or PT should take BIO*2403 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO*2404 Anatomy and Physiology II as approved by the program coordinator. RT student must take either BIO*2402 or BIO*2403 and BIO*2404.
Academic Major 48
Core Recreational Therapy Requirements 30
All major courses required a grade of "C" or higher.
| REC 2100 | LEISURE AND WELLNESS | 3 |
| REC 4100 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH & EVALUATION | 3 |
| TR 2030 | INTRODUCTION TO RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| TR 3000 | INCLUSIVE RECREATION SERVICES IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY | 3 |
| TR 3030 | DISABILITY FUNCTION AND HEALTH IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| TR 3330 | ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTATION IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| TR 3770 | RECREATIONAL THERAPY IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | 3 |
| TR 3790 | RECREATIONAL THERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| TR 4330/TR 4310 | PROCESS AND TECHNIQUES IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| REC 4900 | LEADERSHIP AND GROUP DEVELOPMENT IN RECREATION, SPORT & EVENT | 3 |
TR 2030: Writing Emphasis course.
TR 3770: This course is only offered during the Spring semester.
TR 4900: This course is only offered during the Fall semester.
Therapeutic Recreational Specialty 3
Requires a grade of "C" or higher.
| Select one of the following courses: | |
| TR 3760/TR 3320 | RECREATIONAL THERAPY AND GERIATRIC CARE | 3 |
| TR 3780 | RECREATIONAL THERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
TR 3760 and TR 3780: These courses is offered only during the Fall semester.
Field Work 12
Students must be a declared major and have a 2.5 GPA to reigns off fieldwork classes.
| TR 3930 | PRACTICUM IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| TR 4530 | INTERNSHIP IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY | 9 |
Major Capstone Course 3
TR 4903 requires a grade of "C" or higher.
| TR 4903 | RECREATIONAL THERAPY ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Free Electives 21
50% of free elective must be taken at the 3000-4000 level and 50% of free elective must be taken at the 1000-2000.
TR 1996 (Optional) Research Initiative in Recreational Therapy (1 credit) course may be applied to this area.
Recommended selection of a minor from list below in consultation with academic adviser.
- American Sign Language
- Exercise Science
- Gerontology
- Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Yoga
Total Credit Hours: 120