Curriculum

Admission

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. Students without backgrounds in therapeutic recreation will only be admitted in the Fall semester. Deficiencies will be determined based on the student's educational background and work experience.

There are minimum undergraduate prerequisite course and competency requirements for admission to the Master of Science degree program in therapeutic recreation.

Prerequisite courses (or equivalent knowledge):

The above courses may be taken at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse during the first two semesters of the graduate program.

Prerequisite competency:

Knowledge of and experience with a disability group in a therapeutic recreation setting (minimum 50 documented hours of acceptable experience).

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam

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.

Curriculum

(30-36 credits)

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
• Student with a previous background (certification eligible) in therapeutic recreation.

Program of study for a student with a background (certification eligible) in therapeutic recreation:

The program of study involves a minimum of 30 credits. A program of study includes the required courses, one of two capstone experiences, and electives. The program of study will be jointly developed by the student and the Therapeutic Recreation Program Director.

Required courses (15 credits):

Capstone Experience:

Students with a therapeutic recreation background must select one of two research options as the capstone experience to their graduate program. The options are:

Elective courses

Additional elective courses may be required to fulfill the minimum number of credits (30) to graduate. The elective course(s) will be determined jointly by the student and the Therapeutic Recreation Program Director.

Program of study for a student without a previous background in therapeutic recreation:

FALL SEMESTER ADMISSION ONLY

This program of study requires 36 credits. The program of study includes the required graduate courses and internship capstone experience. 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 Therapeutic Recreation Program Director.

Required courses (36 credits):

At the discretion of the Therapeutic Recreation Program Director, previously taken equivalent undergraduate courses may not have to be repeated on the graduate level. Students who have required coursework waived must still earn at least 30 applicable graduate credits to complete the degree.

Capstone Experience

For students without a therapeutic recreation background, their internship (RTH 700) is the required capstone experience.  These students may, if they choose, also complete a thesis or graduate project, but neither is required. 

Graduate degree requirements

After being admitted to the program of one's choice, candidates for a graduate degree must:

1. Complete any preliminary course work and deficiencies.
2. Complete all courses and other program requirements, including residence requirements prescribed for the degree desired in the respective school or college within a seven-year period from the date of initial enrollment.
3. Earn a minimum of 30 credits for a master's degree; 54 credits for a doctorate or post-master's degree. Earn at least one-half of the minimum number of credits required in the program in graduate-only level courses (700, 800, 900, and non-slash 600 level courses).
4. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
5. Satisfy dissertation, thesis, seminar paper, terminal/graduate projects and internships, or comprehensive examination, where applicable. A dissertation or thesis approved by the committee must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for approval at least two weeks before commencement. Ordinarily, a seminar paper or project report does not have to be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. However, if the seminar paper or project report is to be archived in Murphy Library, the student must follow the same rules as they apply to the dissertation/thesis requiring approval from the Director of Graduate Studies. For further research/dissertation/thesis guidelines, see the Office of Graduate Studies.
6. File a completed "Intent to Graduate" form online via the WINGS Student Center immediately following registration for the final semester or summer term in residence. December graduates and winter intersession should file by May 1. May and summer graduates should file by December 1.
7. Pay the graduation fee and remove all other indebtedness to the university. Payment of graduation fees does not imply readiness for graduation and does not take the place of applying for graduation.
8. Complete all requirements within 30 days after the official ending date of a term in order for a degree to be awarded for that term. (See #5 above for separate deadline for written capstone experience.)