Therapeutic Recreation program

MUndergrad major GGraduate program

Recreational therapists help people adapt and grow through recreation and leisure.

Your future could be working to improve the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities or illnesses by creating therapeutic programs. These goal-directed programs are in areas such as exercise, aquatics, expressive arts, music and more.

UWL has been recognized nationally for "Excellence in Therapeutic Recreation Education." And the university is one of the few nationwide to offer therapeutic recreation as its own independent major.

 

What is a recreational therapist?

Recreational therapists assist people who are marginalized and/or live with disabilities and illnesses to help them improve their health and well-being. This is achieved through a wide range of recreation and leisure activities, as well as techniques to improve their physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs.

 

I couldn't have asked for a better college experience the last four years at UWL. A huge thanks to all of my supporters: my professors, my employers, my classmates, my friends and my family. La Crosse will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will cherish all of my memories made here, forever!

Maisie Radle

Recreational therapy jobs

UWL therapeutic recreation graduates are eligible to become certified therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRSs) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Agencies that have employed UWL graduates include: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.; Wisconsin Resource Center, Wis.; Gundersen Health System, Wis.; Mendota Mental Health Center, Wis.; and North Suburban Special Recreation Associations in Illinois and more.

Entry-level positions

  • Certified therapeutic recreation specialist
  • Activity director
  • Life enrichment director
  • Activity therapist
  • Leisure education specialist
  • Recreation leader
  • Recreation therapist
  • Rehabilitation specialist
  • Inclusion specialist

Work settings

  • Hospitals
  • Adult daycare centers
  • Adventure programs and camps
  • Senior citizen centers
  • Chemical dependency treatment programs
  • Correctional centers
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Mental health facilities
  • Veterans administration and medical centers
  • More

What distinguishes UWL's Therapeutic Recreation program?

Excellent career placement

The job placement rate for UWL therapeutic recreation graduates has consistently been more than 90 percent.
Accredited program

The program is accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Nationally-recognized program

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association has awarded UWL with recognition for “Excellence in Therapeutic Recreation Education.”  
Committed faculty

The award-winning faculty members in the program have diverse professional interests and are committed to scholarship and the professional development of students. All hold the credential as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). UWL has a large number of therapeutic recreation instructors, which is significant in that other universities may have only one staff member with a therapeutic recreation background. 
Program of Merit designation

The program received the Program of Merit for Health Professions designation from the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education.
Master's degree in five years

Some graduates decide to continue their education, earning a master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. UWL's program established a 4 + 1 graduate program in fall 2018, which provides an alternative and faster option to earn a master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation.  
Student organizations

Students have the opportunity to join the active Therapeutic Recreation Majors Club. Objectives of the club are to enhance learning and increase professional development in all areas of therapeutic recreation.

Areas of study

Therapeutic Recreation

MUndergrad major GGraduate program View a sample plan for Therapeutic Recreation

Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation & Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation Dual Degree Program

MUndergrad major GGraduate program View a sample plan for Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation & Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation Dual Degree Program

Sample courses

RTH 480 Leisure Education in Therapeutic Recreation This course is designed to provide a philosophical understanding and overview of leisure education as well as to emphasize the approaches and strategies that can be utilized in enabling people to enhance the quality of their own lives in leisure. The focus will be leisure education as a major component of therapeutic recreation services. Topics included are leisure theory, leisure education conceptual models, leisure education programming techniques, facilitation of leisure education groups for various ages. Gerontology students should have completed one core gerontology course and have permission from the director of therapeutic recreation. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: RTH 355, RTH 456, RTH 470; RTH major/minor or GTL emphasis; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

RTH 476 Assessment and Treatment Planning-Therapeutic Recreation Overview of individual client assessments used in therapeutic recreation practice; development of individualized treatment/program plans in a therapeutic recreation context; review resources, standards and issues related to client assessment and program planning in therapy, leisure education and recreation participation programs. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: RTH 355, RTH 456, RTH 470; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

RTH 493 Therapeutic Recreation Trends and Issues This course provides an examination of current issues, trends and professionalization concerns in therapeutic recreation, including professional organizations, ethics, current legislation, professional development, professional standards, credentialing, accreditation standards, improving organizational performance, and current professional controversies. Course should be taken the last semester prior to internship. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: STAT 145; RTH 355, RTH 456, RTH 470; RTH major; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

RTH 498 Internship in Therapeutic Recreation Application of the methods and techniques of therapeutic recreation, leadership, program development and administration through a supervised internship experience in therapeutic recreation, special recreation, leisure education and/or treatment programs. Prerequisite: senior standing; RTH major, all required REC/RTH courses completed; 2.50 cum GPA. American Red Cross Standard First Aid certification or its equivalent must be current throughout the RTH 498 experience. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

RTH 252 Innovative Activities in Therapeutic Recreation This course acquaints students who will work with persons with disabilities and special needs in therapeutic recreation settings with various recreation activities to enhance functional skills and foster meaningful recreation participation. Activity selection, analysis, planning, and modifications will be combined with various leadership styles. Prerequisite: REC 150, RTH 250. Offered Fall, Spring.

RTH 355 Medical Language An introduction to medical terminology with emphasis on word roots, combining forms, prefixes and suffixes through the various systems. There is also a unit on basic pharmacology. Prerequisite: REC 150 and RTH 250; or ESS pre-professional major. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

RTH 470 Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation This course presents an overview of concepts and interaction techniques used in the provision of goal-oriented therapeutic recreation services. Included are counseling techniques, leadership and instructional techniques appropriate for use in treatment, leisure education and recreation participation. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: STAT 145; RTH 252, RTH 319, RTH 329; RTH 456 or concurrent enrollment; RTH major/minor or CYC minor; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

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