Recreation Management and Policy Major: Therapeutic Recreation Option (B.S.)

Therapeutic recreation utilizes recreation to assist people with disabilities or illnesses to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance health, independence, and well-being. Therapeutic recreation 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, home health care, community recreation, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, camp and outdoor education centers, and adult day programs. Observation and applied experience is a component of several courses. Students complete a 14-16-week full-time clinical internship under the supervision of a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook reports the "employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. As the large baby-boom generation ages, they will need recreational therapists to help treat age-related injuries and illnesses, such as strokes. Recreational therapists will also be needed to help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity (Bureau of Labor Statistics). A CNN Money report identifies recreation therapy among the top ten "best jobs for saving the world." In particular, they note the profession's high benefit to society and high personal job satisfaction (CNN Money Magazine).

Upon successful completion of this option, students are prepared to meet sitting requirements for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Examination. Students/graduates who pass the NCTRC exam and attain the CTRS are eligible to seek licensure to practice in the state of New Hampshire.

Students may be required to submit to a criminal background check.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

All majors must complete a core curriculum.

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A supervised internship is required for all RMP students and serves as the major capstone requirement. The internship is designed to create a bridge between theory and practical application. Students, working with their advisors and the internship coordinator, select an appropriate setting based on their professional and career interests. Students in the Therapeutic Recreation option must complete a 12-credit, 560-hour internship which ranges from 14 to 16 weeks and is under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Specific requirements are identified in the Internship Manual available from the Department of Recreation Management and Policy.

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Or other TR related courses as approved by Academic Advisor. RMP students enrolled in an accelerated masters program offered by the Carsey School of Public Policy may count any Carsey graduate course as an elective toward their undergraduate RMP degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will integrate an understanding of history, service models, theory/philosophy, ethics, credentials, professional conduct, evidence-based practice and professional development with Recreational Therapy (RT) practice.
• Students will develop competence to individually screen, assess and systematically collect comprehensive and accurate data about patients/clients in an efficient and effective manner and to analyze the data collected to determine the course of actions subsequent to an individualized treatment/program plan.
• Students will develop competence in the planning and development of individualized treatment plans that identify functional outcome goals, modalities, facilitation techniques and interventions based on assessment data collected and evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of specific medical, psychiatric and other disabling conditions.
• Students will know how to use structured, systematic and evidence-based treatment interventions and facilitation techniques to improve patient/client functioning and independence in life activities.
• Students will develop competence to implement the individualized treatment/program plan using appropriate evidence-based treatment interventions and programs to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate patient/client functioning as well as to reduce or eliminate the limitations to participation in life activities resulting from medical, psychiatric or other disabling conditions.
• Students will acquire specific modality/skills and facilitation techniques used as treatment interventions in Recreational Therapy practice.
• Students will systematically conduct evaluation and research to determine the effectiveness of treatment interventions and programs used to reach patient/client outcomes.
• Students will develop the competencies to manage a Recreational Therapy practice, department, and staff.
• Students will develop an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, growth/development, psychology, functioning in life activities and an understanding of health care services to serve as a foundation for Recreational Therapy practice.
• Students will develop entry-level clinical proficiency and professional behavior through field-based clinical opportunities in accordance with professional standards of practice in Recreational Therapy

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.