RECREATION MANAGEMENT AND THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Program Requirements
This program is designed to provide students with
individualized continuing education to develop competencies
specifically related to recreation career development and
professional growth. The emphasis is on individualizing the
student’s program. The Master of Science degree in recreation is
available in two emphasis areas:
(1)
Recreation Management: (www.uwlax.edu/sah/rmtr/gr_rm)
(2)
Therapeutic Recreation: (www.uwlax.edu/sah/rmtr/gr_tr)
Graduate Program Director:
rmtrgrad@uwlax.edu
RECREATION MANAGEMENT
The Master of Science degree in Recreation Management
prepares students for positions in public, private, and
commercial recreation agencies. The curriculum consists of
learning experiences critical for assuming high-level management
positions in the leisure service profession.
Graduates are prepared to:
- plan, develop, and
manage recreation programs in public and private agencies,
commercial enterprises, and tourism
business
- use diverse
community, natural, institutional, and human service resources
to enhance programs
- apply common and innovative management techniques for
budgets, service pricing, cost analysis, business feasibility,
market analysis, and promotions
- use leadership strategies to strengthen leisure
experiences for all, including those with special needs
- apply evaluation,
survey, and research methods to ensure continued improvement in
leisure services
- apply management
techniques for recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation
of staff and volunteers
Graduates are employed in:
- local
recreation and park agencies; federal natural resource agencies
- resorts,
cruise ships, ski resorts, private campgrounds, and hospitality
and travel industries
- private
corporations and tourism agencies
- health
clubs and recreational fitness centers
- youth
agencies
- Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, YM/YWCA
- condominium
developments, convention/visitor bureaus, ice arenas, marinas,
golf courses, and theme parks
Admission Requirements
The program welcomes students without an undergraduate degree in
Recreation, but some prerequisite courses may be required.
Students may take deficiency courses prior to beginning the
graduate program or they may begin the program and take the
courses within the first two semesters of their graduate
program. Prerequisite courses include:
| Credits | ||
| REC 150 | Foundations of Recreation | 3 |
| REC 300 | Program Planning in Recreation OR | 3 |
| REC 302 | Recreation Leadership and Supervision | 3 |
| ACC 221 | Accounting Principles I OR | 3 |
| ACC 235 | Survey of Accounting | |
| MTH 145 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| 13 |
If all of the above courses have not been previously taken, the
recreation graduate program director will determine program
deficiencies on an individual basis. The review will be based on
previously taken courses as well as prior work experience. The
graduate program director also will determine which deficiency
courses need to be taken for credit (auditing of courses might
also be recommended).
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Elementary/Secondary Education
- Forestry
- Horticulture/Landscape Architecture
- Natural Resources/Resource Management
- Physical Education
- Public Administration
- Recreation Administration
- Recreation Leadership
- Therapeutic Recreation
| Recreation Management Curriculum
(30 credits) Required Courses: (15 credits) |
Credits |
|
| REC 520 | Commercial Recreation Management | 3 |
| REC 701 | Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, Play, |
3 |
| REC 710 | Entrepreneurship in Recreation | 3 |
| REC 711 | Management of Leisure Services Organizations | 3 |
| REC 720 |
Research Methods for Recreation, Parks, and Leisure |
3 |
| Research Options: Thesis, Graduate Project, or
Internship (6
credits) Students are allowed to choose from one of three options in the program. They are: |
||
| Option A - Thesis | Credits | |
| REC 799 | Research: Master’s Thesis | 6 |
| Option B - Graduate Project | ||
| REC 761 | Graduate Project in Recreation | 6 |
| Option C - Internship | ||
| REC 700 | Internship | 6 |
|
Elective Courses:
(9 credits) |
Credits |
|
| REC 502 | Risk Management in Leisure Service Organizations | 3 |
| REC 580 | Outdoor Education | 3 |
| REC 581 | Outdoor Pursuits | 3 |
| REC 706 | Public Education and Recreation | 2 |
| REC 713 | Recreation Planning and Facility Development | 3 |
| REC 780 | A comparative Approach to Leisure and Society | 3 |
| REC 795 | Independent Study in Recreation Management | 1-3 |
| REC 797 | Special Projects in Recreation Management | 1-3 |
| RTH 562 | Inclusive Recreation Program Administration | 2-3 |
| RTH 570 | Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
(30-36 Credits)
The Master of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation
prepares students for certification as Therapeutic Recreation
Specialists. Students learn to develop and implement treatment,
leisure education, and recreation programs for individuals with
special needs.
Graduates are prepared to:
- assess the need for therapeutic recreation
intervention
- plan and evaluate individual and group treatment,
leisure education and recreation participation programs
- supervise interdisciplinary teams and
human service providers
- organize and manage services
- direct outreach, advocacy, and public relations
activities
- assist individuals in the development of
life-long leisure independence
- address therapeutic recreation
professionalization issues
- take the national examination to become a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- use advanced knowledge as a clinical administrator or
consultant
Graduates are employed in:
- hospitals and physical
rehabilitation facilities
- county, state, and national mental health
treatment centers
- residential settings
- long-term care or nursing home facilities
- community-based centers and human service
agencies
- recreation agencies, including national
associations for disabled sport competitors (i.e., Special
Olympics)
- human service areas needing therapeutic recreation consultants
Admission Requirements
Students without a previous background in therapeutic
recreation, as well as those who are certification eligible as a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National
Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, will be
admitted into the program after fulfilling university graduate
school admission requirements. Deficiencies will be determined
based on the student’s educational background and work
experience.
The minimum undergraduate prerequisite course and
competency requirements for admission to the Master of Science
degree program in Therapeutic Recreation are:
Undergraduate Prerequisite Course Requirements
(or equivalent knowledge)
| Credits | ||
| RTH 250 | Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 326 | Therapeutic Recreation Populations I OR | 3 |
| RTH 327 | Therapeutic Recreation Populations II | 3 |
| MTH 145 | Elementary Statistics | 3-4 |
| ESS 205 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| PSY 304 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 212 | Life Span Development | 3 |
The above courses may be taken at the
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse during the first two semesters
of the graduate program.
Prerequisite Competency Requirement
Knowledge of and experience with a disability group in a
therapeutic recreation setting (minimum 50 documented hours of
acceptable experience).
To become eligible to sit for the National
Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam
through the professional academic path, a total of 18 semester
units or 27 quarter units of supportive course work must be
successfully completed with at least three units in the content
of abnormal psychology, three units in the content of anatomy
and physiology, and three units in the content area of human
growth and development across the lifespan. The remaining
semester units or quarter units of course work must be fulfilled
in the content of “human services” as defined by NCTRC (human
services is defined to include courses supportive to the
practice of therapeutic recreation such as: psychology,
sociology, related biological/ physical sciences, adaptive
physical education, special education, education, ethics and
other disciplines of study supportive to the practice of
therapeutic recreation). Students must fulfill the most current
NCTRC requirements for certification eligibility. Fulfilling the
most recent NCTRC requirements for eligibility is the
responsibility of the student.
Program of Study
Upon admission, the student will be classified into one of
two groups based upon previous academic background,
certification status, and professional experience in the field
of therapeutic recreation. The student will be classified either
as a student without a previous background in therapeutic
recreation or as a student with a previous background
(certification eligible) in therapeutic recreation.
A. Program of study for a student with a background
(certification eligible) in therapeutic recreation:
| Therapeutic Recreation Curriculum Required Courses: (18 credits) |
Credits |
|
| REC 701 | Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, |
3 |
| REC 710 | Entrepreneurship in Recreation | 3 |
| REC 711 | Management of Leisure Services Organizations | 3 |
| REC 720 | Research Methods for Recreation, Parks, and Leisure | 3 |
| RTH 593 | Therapeutic Recreation Trends and Issues | 3 |
| RTH 730 | Advanced Clinical Aspects in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
|
Research Options: |
||
| Option A - Thesis | Credits | |
| REC 799 | Research: Master’s Thesis | 6 |
| Option B - Graduate Project | Credits | |
| REC 761 | Graduate Project in Recreation | 3-6 |
|
Option C - Comprehensive Examination Option C includes all required courses, plus additional elective courses from graduate program offerings to total 30 semester credits (36 credits for those entering the program without a background in therapeutic recreation). A comprehensive examination, developed and graded by the graduate faculty, must be written successfully. |
||
B.
Program of study for a student without a previous background in
therapeutic recreation:
This program of study requires a minimum of 30-36 credits, the
number depending upon related undergraduate coursework. A
program of study includes the required graduate courses,
therapeutic recreation core courses, one of three research
options, and electives. Additional credit(s) may be required to
fulfill the sitting requirements of the NCTRC. A program of
study will be developed by the student and the graduate program
director.
In addition to the required courses, the following are
required core courses for the student without a previous
background in therapeutic recreation:
| Credits | ||
| RTH 556 | Program Design and Administration of Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 570 | Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 576 | Assessment and Treatment Planning in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 580 | Leisure Education | 3 |
| RTH 700 | Internship | 6 |
| (Required only if NCTRC field placement requirements are
not met) |
||
At the discretion of the graduate program
director, previously taken equivalent undergraduate courses
(therapeutic recreation core courses) may not have to be
repeated on the graduate level.
Elective Courses:
Additional elective courses may be required to fulfill the
minimum (30-36) number of credits to graduate. The elective
course(s) will be determined jointly by the student and the
graduate program director.