Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation

Wellness & Movement Sciences
Fitness for Credit
Leighton Performance Lab
Challenge Course
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NOTE: this undergraduate program is currently not accepting new students. If you are a professional in the therapeutic recreation field looking to obtain certification, please click on this website link – Therapeutic Recreation Distance and Extended Learning.

About

Therapeutic Recreation specialists are involved in helping individuals with disabilities learn the skills and attitudes necessary to develop a satisfying leisure lifestyle. Therapeutic Recreation is concerned with the treatment of conditions which are disabling and the facilitation of independent leisure functioning.

In this major, you will prepare to take the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. The EWU Therapeutic Recreation degree is nationally accredited through COAPRT and will provide you with a strong educational background.

For more information, or to declare your major, contact the Recreation Experience Management Program Director, Jeremy Jostad, PhD at jjostad@ewu.edu or 509.359.7097.

Accreditation

The EWU Therapeutic Recreation Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

Evidence of continued compliance with COAPRT requirements can be found on the RCLS accreditation website.

2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report: Therapeutic Recreation
2021 Annual Report: Therapeutic Recreation

Careers in Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation graduates have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings.

Group Treatment

Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation Facilities

Long-Term Care

Curriculum & Requirements

Therapeutic Recreation Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)

Note: this program is currently not accepting new students.

A current First Aid/CPR card is required for all majors.

Major Declaration Requirement: must complete ENGL 201 with a minimum grade ≥C.

Grade Requirements

  • a minimum grade ≥C must be obtained in each required RCLS course (if a lower grade is received, the course must be retaken);
  • a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.0 shall be required for all university coursework; 
  • failure to comply with the above standards will jeopardize professional internship eligibility.
Required–1500 hours of practical experience–see advisor.
Required Core Courses
RCLS 201FOUNDATIONS OF THE RECREATION EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY4
RCLS 220LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT3
RCLS 240OVERVIEW OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SERVICES4
RCLS 270DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE2
RCLS 313PUBLIC LANDS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION4
RCLS 360FACILITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN4
RCLS 385EVENT PLANNING AND EXPERIENCE DESIGN4
RCLS 400LIABILITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT4
RCLS 425EVALUATION AND RESEARCH METHODS IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT4
RCLS 435PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT2
RCLS 455RESORT AND COMMERCIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT3
RCLS 470ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT4
RCLS 480FINANCIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN RECREATION EXPERIENCE4
Required Supporting Courses
BIOL 232HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS5
BIOL 233HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS5
BIOL 234HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS2-5
or PHED 256 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
PSYC 201LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT5
PSYC 302ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY5
RCLS 345THERAPEUTIC RECREATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES4
RCLS 420PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION4
RCLS 440PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION4
RCLS 445PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION4
RCLS 450ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION4
RCLS 493THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP (Therapeutic Recreation majors have specific requirements to fulfill and must consult with their advisor)12
Required Senior Capstone
RCLS 490SENIOR CAPSTONE IN RECREATION4
Total Credits104-107

Catalog Listing

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully earn a BS in Therapeutic Recreation from EWU should be able to do the following:

  • demonstrate a working knowledge of technology and its various uses in the recreation profession;
  • demonstrate a working knowledge of the career and entrepreneurship opportunities available upon graduation;
  • demonstrate an awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and will demonstrate multi‐cultural competence in recreation and leisure service delivery settings;
  • demonstrate an understanding and application of the therapeutic recreation process: assessment, program planning, implementation, and evaluation;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the history, breadth, depth, and complexity of the recreation and leisure services industry;
  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;
  • demonstrate knowledge of and skill at research, problem solving, and critical thinking;
  • demonstrate skills and techniques to assist individuals in learning to cope with the effects of their disabilities or illness;
  • demonstrate the knowledge base to successfully complete the NCTRC Certification practice tests to better prepare students for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam;
  • demonstrate, through a variety of activities, and participate in events that give a better understanding of how an individual with a disability or illness can participate in leisure activities and apply that knowledge to their internship experience.

Current Student Resources

Suggested Schedule

1500 Hours RLST

TR Internship Manual 2022-23