Frequently Asked Questions in Therapeutic Recreation
How much does the graduate program cost?
UW-La Crosse Admissions maintains an updated web page
estimating annual costs of a graduate program. That information is
available at:
http://www.uwlax.edu/admissions/html/afford.htm#2 .
How long does the program take?
There are several factors in determining how long it takes to
complete the Masters in Therapeutic Recreation. Of course, the number of
undergraduate deficiencies has an impact. So does the complexity of a
student’s research (if he or she chooses to complete a thesis or
project). Certainly students already certified in Therapeutic Recreation
complete their program more quickly than students who are using the
graduate program to be certified-eligible. If a student attends
full-time, he or she probably will take anywhere from a calendar year
(fall, spring, summer) to two years (fall, spring, summer, fall, spring)
to complete the program.
What is the usual class size?
Graduate students take two kinds of classes, 500-level courses
and 700-level courses. 500-level means that graduate students and upper
class undergraduates take the course together. These courses usually
have 20-30 students in them. 700-level courses are graduate students
only. These courses often have about 15 students in them.
Do I have to do a thesis?
A student has three options – thesis, project, or comprehensive
examination. Most, but not all, students who need to do an internship
(i.e., are not already a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist)
take the comprehensive exam. A student, by the end of his or her first
semester on campus, should make a decision as to which path to take.
Do most students do a thesis or a project or a comprehensive
exam?
The best answer to this question is that it does not matter
what most other students do. The options exist in order to cater to the
needs of a range of students. For example, students who wish to go on
for a Ph.D. should do a thesis. Students who need a TR internship to sit
for the national examination must do an internship. Projects often are a
good option for students currently working in the field; often their
place of employment needs a survey, feasibility study, or some other
major undertaking that might also serve as a project. In general,
however, about half of our graduate students do an internship and about
half do either a thesis or project.
What is a comprehensive examination?
The comprehensive examination is an essay exam covering all of
the coursework taken by the student. Usually it an eight-hour open-book
exam covering four essay questions. The exam covers two days; each day
the student has four hours to answer two essay questions.
What kind of jobs do TR graduates find?
Graduates with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation work in both
institutional settings (hospitals, etc…) and community programs serving
individuals with special needs. For examples of jobs in therapeutic
recreation, go to:
../../ug_tr/html/employment.htm.
Will I have to take a summer class?
There is one required course offered summer only. It is Rec 710
Entrepreneurship. Therefore a student must spend one summer on campus.
