2016-2017 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 Requirement

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

2. Therapeutic Recreation Core:

REC 300 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 302 - Leisure, Health, and Wellness Credits: 3
REC 304 - Diagnostic Groups in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 306 - Comprehensive Therapeutic Recreation Programming Credits: 3
REC 308 - Leadership for Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 310 - Interventions in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 389 - Therapeutic Recreation Placement Preparation Credits: 1
REC 390 - Fieldwork in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 404 - Trends and Challenges in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 405 - Administration of Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 407 - Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 410 - Research and Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 3
REC 490 - Internship in Therapeutic Recreation Credits: 6 or 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

4. Cognates:

AHS 100 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care Credits: 3
BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
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 325 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3 OR PSY 365 - Cognition (3 credits)
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 placements, students must show academic competence. The criterion for competence is 80 percent (B-) in each REC designated course. Additionally, students should be aware that prior to the beginning of the fieldwork and internship placements, they must complete comprehensive health compliance obligations including but not limited to a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening. It is the responsibility of the student to comply. If there is illegal activity in the background check/fingerprinting or if there is evidence of one or more prohibited substance in the drug test, the clinical sites have the right to refuse a student's placement which may negatively impact a student's ability to progress in the therapeutic recreation program. In addition, individuals who have been charged with, or convicted of a crime, may not be eligible for national certification by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Students to whom this may apply are strongly advised to work with NCTRC for preapplication review of eligibility for certification. Contact information for NCTRC:www.nctrc.org; email: [email protected]; telephone: (845) 639-1439; fax: (845) 639-1471.

6. Certifications

First aid/CPR certification and other health compliance certifications must be current before registering for REC 390, 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 Valley's therapeutic recreation faculty can only advise the student on which courses to take to meet the qualifications for sitting for the credentialing exam. 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.