Therapeutic Recreation utilizes recreation to help people with disabilities and illnesses to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance health, independence, and well-being. The ultimate goal of therapeutic recreation is to facilitate full and optimal involvement in community life. The purpose of recreation therapy is to improve health and the quality of life by reducing impairments of body function and structure, reducing activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers of the clients served.  TR recognizes the importance of quality of life and uses activities to remediate or rehabilitate functional abilities. Therapeutic Recreation services are provided in a variety of settings including: hospitals, long-term care facilities, residential treatment facilities, schools, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, camp and outdoor education centers and adult day programs. Upon successful completion of this option, students are prepared to meet sitting requirements for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Examination.  Once certified by NCTRC, students may apply for a CTRS/L license which will enable them to practice in New Hampshire.

TR Option Manual

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of the Therapeutic Recreation Option within the Recreation Management and Policy department is to prepare students to work in clinical, allied health facilities (e.g. hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health programs, extended care facilities) and community-based recreation programs that serve individuals with disabilities. Consistent with other allied health programs, students’ professional preparation is rooted in an education based on the foundation of liberal arts designed to ensure a practitioner who is capable of critical thinking, communication and an individual with a strong core of central values regarding life, culture and the communities in which they live.

The overriding goals for our students are the ability to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of systems and ethical practices of therapeutic recreation directed at improving the health-related quality of life of persons with physical, psychological, and cognitive disabilities.
• Demonstrate a sophisticated use of language in written and verbal communication with regard to intervention, assessment, and documentation of client outcomes and professional interaction with interdisciplinary teams.
• Pass the national certification exam to ensure certification as a CTRS and meet the criteria for state license in TR in order to practice in New Hampshire as a CTRS/L.

Child Life Minor
This interdisciplinary minor is offered to a limited number of students by the therapeutic recreation option in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy and the Department of Family Studies. Upon completion of course requirements, students will be able to sit for the Child Life Specialist exam. All students complete three core courses: RMP 502, FS 525 and FS 623. Therapeutic Recreation students will select two courses from the following: FS 635, FS 641, FS 709, FS 734, and FS 772. Students will complete an Internship which will entail a minimum of 480 hours of experience and be supervised by a certified Child Life Specialist. Therapeutic recreation majors will be assigned a minor adviser from family studies.