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2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Science in Recreational Therapy

The Master of Science in recreational therapy (M.S. in RT) degree is a graduate program, leading to an advanced practice degree. This master's degree program focuses on advanced practice issues and competencies to enhance the recreational therapist's skills and competencies to meet increasingly complex consumers in a variety of health care and community settings. The program is one year. The M.S. in RT is offered as a hybrid program, with the majority of coursework online and one to three in-seat classes per semester.

Admission into the M.S. in RT

  • One-Year Master's Degree Track: For those who have a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation and are already a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or CTRS eligible, who desire to pursue an M.S. in RT. It requires a total of 33 credits. Students are expected to complete the NCTRC exam after their undergraduate coursework and prior to beginning their graduate coursework.

Admission into the Master of Science in recreational therapy is competitive. Maximum class size for hybrid classes is 20. Application materials are due by February 1 with courses beginning in August. Applications are reviewed by the recreational therapy faculty and ranked on a total score basis. The top 20 candidates are offered seats in the program. Each alternative candidate is offered admission based on total score if any of the original candidates declines admission.

Application Process into the One-Year Master of Science in Recreational Therapy

To be admitted to the one year MSRT track, applicants must

  • hold a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy/recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation from an accredited university completed prior to the start of the MSRT program;
  • provide proof of certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or prove to be CTRS eligible;
  • demonstrate coursework in research methods and introduction to statistics;
  • have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credits in their undergraduate degree;
  • submit a resume demonstrating related work and/or volunteer experiences and accomplishments related to recreational therapy interventions, populations, programs, and/or processes;
  • provide two graduate program recommendation forms, one from an instructor/professor and one from a professional;
  • participate in an interview if requested; and
  • write a personal statement that
    • describes your goals for your graduate studies and your professional career. If appropriate, describe your relevant professional experience;
    • tells why you are pursuing a graduate degree, and in what ways would your degree contribute to your future and/or career; and
    • identifies your specialty/practice area of interest.

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