Recreational Therapy

Getting Started   

As a recreational therapy major, you will explore a type of healthcare that uses engaging activities to help people feel better and improve their lives. Imagine using sports, games, arts and crafts, music, or outdoor activities to help someone recover from an illness or injury. Through class projects, 320 hours of field experience, and a required professional internship, you will learn to assess individuals' needs, plan and implement specific interventions to meet those needs, and document and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.  

First-year coursework includes:  

Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice  

• This class provides an overview of the foundations of practice and theory and the historical development and evolution of the recreational therapy profession. Students will become familiar with recreational therapy as an allied health profession, service delivery models, and practice settings.  

Disability, Health, and Function  

• Students will be provided with a model of disabling conditions, including physical, mental, developmental, intellectual, hearing and vision, and other disabilities related to aging. Content will focus on etiology, prognosis, symptomatic conditions, prevalence, and its relationship to public health. Models of disability and medical terminology will be covered.  

Tracks and concentrations  

The recreational therapy program is a pre-professional program designed to prepare you to become a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). There are key steps to becoming a CTRS. The academic steps designed for a traditional academic graduate include:  

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher, with a concentration in recreational therapy (related fields may also qualify).
2. Completion of a minimum 14 week/560 hour internship supervised by a CTRS.
3. Successful completion of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam  

Graduating as an undergraduate recreational therapy major fulfills steps 1 and 2 and prepares students for step 3. Visit the NCTRC website for more information about certification and paths to certification, including the equivalency path.  

The recreational therapy major can also be a great fit for students interested in other pre-professional programs such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant programs.   

Upper-level coursework  

Once you have acquired foundational knowledge, you’ll transition into service-learning coursework focusing on assessment and planning. Through this coursework, you’ll learn appropriate treatment skills as an entry-level recreational therapist. Students must also take a course designed to prepare them for their required internship through reviewing skills, considering their career goals, and planning for the job search.   

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll apply what you have learned through a full-semester professional internship, gaining experience in the day-to-day responsibilities of being a recreational therapist. The internship is the last thing students do before earning their degree.  

Explore the Degree Map

Working with faculty  

As a recreational therapy major, you will learn from faculty with expertise and experience in the field. Take advantage of office hours to talk with your instructors about your performance in class, the content of assignments, and how the course helps you work towards your professional career goals.   

You'll gain practical, hands-on experience by participating in the Honors Program or working with IU faculty on research projects. And learning won't be confined to the classroom. With the help of an internship coordinator, you'll get real-world, professional experience through a required internship in your area of interest. Internship coordinators are faculty members who will help you navigate the internship process and ultimately approve your internship placement.  

Commonly pursued majors, minors, and certificates  

With the help of your academic advisor, you may be able to combine several areas of interest with additional majors, minors, or certificates.  

The Explore Programs tool can help you find majors, minors, and certificate programs that fit you and your goals by allowing you to filter by interest area. Other majors, minors, and certificates can be excellent opportunities to build upon and broaden your interests.  

Some commonly pursued minors for recreational therapy students include psychology and youth development.  

Student groups  

Explore beINvolved to connect with any of the 750+ student organizations that already exist or to start a new one. Recreational therapy majors benefit from joining the Recreational Therapy Club as the club offers opportunities to gain experience in the field and network with faculty.    

Other student organizations that could fit your interests include:  

• Health NOW  
• Wheelchair Basketball Club  
• Big Brothers Big Sisters 
• Psychology Club  

Professional Organizations  

As a recreational therapy major, you can get involved with professional organizations that provide additional knowledge, resources, and opportunities to become a leader in the field.  

• The American Therapeutic Recreation Association 
• Recreation Therapists of Indiana 

Through the major  

As a recreational therapy major, you’ll develop relevant transferable skills to plan, direct, and evaluate inclusive recreation-based medical treatment programs to improve patients’ lives and ensure accessibility.       

You’ll gain skills in how to: 

• Assess patients’ needs through observation, medical records, and evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate specific interventions for people with cognitive or physical disabilities.
• Design programs to help people reduce stress and improve well-being.
• Ensure compliance with ADA and other federal policies through education and advocacy, fostering inclusion in communities and society 

Students who complete the recreational therapy major are well prepared to develop and coordinate inclusive therapeutic plans for patients in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing facilities, residential and day camps, parks and outdoor recreation settings, medical offices, military and veterans’ settings, or other clinical or community settings.          

Skills desired by employers  

Skills desired by employers and professional schools include therapeutic and inclusive program design and evaluation, solid written and verbal communication skills, empathy, listening, patience, and resourcefulness.  Employers value candidates who have well-developed interpersonal skills, commitment to and training in inclusion and belonging and can work effectively with patients, their families, and with other healthcare professionals.    

Employers may require or prefer recreational therapists to be certified. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) offers the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. A small number of states require certification.  For specific requirements, contact the state’s licensing board.  

Practicum, Fieldwork, and Internship Opportunities 

Take the initiative to network and look for internship and job shadow opportunities as early as your first semester and every semester while pursuing your degree at Indiana University. Our fantastic Career Services Office supports students throughout the career search process.   

Recreational therapy students must complete 320 hours of faculty-approved field experience before registering for their required full-semester professional internship. From these firsthand experiences, you'll be well-positioned to work in a variety of settings with diverse populations.  

Settings  

• Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers: Providing therapy to patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses. 
• Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: Helping older adults maintain their physical and mental health. 
• Community and Recreation Centers: Offering programs for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions. 
• Schools and Educational Institutions: Supporting students with special needs or behavioral issues. 
• Mental Health Facilities: Assisting individuals with mental health disorders through therapeutic activities. 
• Correctional Facilities: Providing recreational therapy to inmates to improve their well-being and aid in rehabilitation. 
• Veterans’ Hospitals and Clinics: Helping veterans cope with physical and psychological challenges.  

Populations  

• Older Adults: Addressing age-related conditions and promoting active lifestyles. 
• Children and Adolescents: Working with young people who have developmental disabilities, behavioral issues, or chronic illnesses. 
• Individuals with Physical Disabilities: Assisting those with mobility issues, spinal cord injuries, or other physical impairments. 
• People with Mental Health Disorders: Supporting those with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions. 
• Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: Helping people in recovery from addiction. 
• Veterans: Addressing the unique needs of military personnel and veterans. 
• Individuals with Chronic Illnesses: Providing support for those managing long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.  

Explore our Healthcare and Wellness Career Community to learn more about career options and outcomes. 

The recreational therapy major is an excellent match for compassionate students motivated by making a difference and helping others. If you enjoy being creative, empowering individuals, and desire to work in a health profession, recreational therapy could be the perfect major for you!  

Class size varies between 20-30 students depending on the course. The curriculum will prepare you to step into the recreational therapy profession immediately or further your education for work in allied health fields.