2014-2015 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation

Requirements for a Major in Therapeutic Recreation
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Therapeutic Recreation

Requirements for a Major in Therapeutic Recreation

The curriculum for the bachelors degree in therapeutic recreation is designed to provide the essential competencies and skills related to professional practice in therapeutic settings. Students desiring a major in therapeutic recreation must complete the following:

1. University Degree Requirements

As identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.

2. Therapeutic Recreation Core:

REC 110 - Foundations of Recreation and Leisure Credits: 3
REC 111 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 200 - Leisure Education Credits: 3
REC 253 - Diagnostic Groups in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 256 - Therapeutic Recreation Programming Credits: 3
REC 308 - Recreation Leadership Credits: 3
REC 310 - Interventions in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 318 - Fieldwork in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 404 - Issues in Recreation and Leisure (Capstone) Credits: 3
REC 405 - Administration of Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 407 - Assessment and Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 490 - Internship in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 12

3. Electives

Two courses:

REC 313 - Therapeutic Recreation for Physical Disability Credits: 3
REC 315 - Therapeutic Recreation for Mental Health Credits: 3
REC 316 - Therapeutic Recreation with the Elderly Credits: 3
REC 317 - Therapeutic Recreation for Pediatrics Credits: 3
REC 380 - Special Topics in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 1 to 4

4. Cognates:

AHS 100 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3
BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3
BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology Credits: 1
CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
CHM 230 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Credits: 4
HPR 111 - Medical Terminology Credits: 2
AHS 220 - Health Care Delivery Credits: 2
MOV 300 - Kinesiology Credits: 3
MOV 304 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology Credits: 3
PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 303 - Psychopathology Credits: 3
PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3

5. Academic Standards

To embark on the fieldwork and internship experience, students must show academic competence. The criterion for competence is 80 percent in each REC designated course.

6. Certifications

First aid/CPR certification must be current before registering for REC 318, Fieldwork, or REC 490, Internship.
Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.) certification is often an internship requirement in a clinical rehabilitation setting. Students interested in physical rehabilitation or aquatics should consider pursuing this certification.

7. Credential

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (N.C.T.R.C.) Credential: It is the students responsibility to be sure that they comply with N.C.T.R.C. standards during their course of study. The certification process can only be pursued by the graduate. Universities and colleges are not permitted to enter into this process. Grand Valleys therapeutic recreation faculty can only advise the student on which courses to take. Upon application, the N.C.T.R.C. board has the sole responsibility of reviewing the academic program and ascertaining whether a graduate is permitted to sit for the National Certification Examination. All decisions regarding certification are determined by the N.C.T.R.C. Board.