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 TR 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 REC 4903, TR 3920 and TR 4520
-
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 Therapeutic Recreation degree program affords students the opportunity to train in a career as a recreation therapist. Recreation Therapists plan, manage and administer recreation-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 Therapeutic Recreation 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 Therapeutic Recreation 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).
ENG 1030: Requires a grade of B- or better.
Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Distribution Requirements 28-29
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 11
MATH 1000, MATH 1016, MATH 1030, MATH 1054, CPS 1032 or CPS 1231: Requires a grade of B- or better.
BIO 1000: Prerequisite for BIO 2402.
BIO 2402: Is recommended prerequisite for EXSC 3505 (Required for CTRS Certification). Student applying for OT or PT should take BIO 2403 and BIO 2404 as approved by the TR program coordinator. Students must maintain a grade of B or better in all Prerequisite for OT.
Additional Required Courses 12
Additional Required Courses 12
Students must maintain a C or better grade in all additional required courses.
PSY 1000: Prerequisite for PSY 3110 and PSY 3540.
Students must maintain a B or better in all Prerequisite for OT.
Academic Major 54
Core Therapeutic Recreation Requirements 30
| TR 2000 | INTRODUCTION TO THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 3 |
| REC 2901 | FOUNDATIONS OF LEISURE AND RECREATION | 3 |
| REC 2910 | PROGRAMMING FOR RECREATION, SPORT AND EVENT | 3 |
| REC 3903 | RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| TR 3000 | INCLUSIVE RECREATION SERVICES IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY | 3 |
| TR 3010 | DISABILITY FUNCTION AND HEALTH IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 3 |
| TR 3310 | ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTATION IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 3 |
| REC 4100 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH & EVALUATION | 3 |
| TR 4310 | PROCESS AND TECHNIQUES IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 3 |
| REC 4900 | RECREATION LEADERSHIP AND GROUP DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
REC 2901: Writing Emphasis (WE) course.
REC 2910: Course offered every fall.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialty 9
Choose 3:
| TR 3320 | THERAPEUTIC RECREATION IN LONG TERM CARE | 3 |
| TR 3730 | THERAPEUTIC RECREATION IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | 3 |
| TR 3740 | THERAPEUTIC RECREATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
| TR 3750 | THERAPEUTIC RECREATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES | 3 |
Field Work 12
Note: Students must maintain a B or better grade in all TR field courses and have a 2.5 GPA to register for these courses.
| TR 3920 | PRACTICUM IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 3 |
| TR 4520 | INTERNSHIP IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION | 9 |
Major Capstone Course 3
Free Electives 12
50% of must be taken at the 3000-4000 level
TR 1996 (Optional) Research Initiative in Therapeutic Recreation (1 credit) course may be applied to this area.
Total Credit Hours: 120