Recreation Therapy, B.S.
College of Arts and SciencesAre you service minded? Do you want to help people transform their lives? Does the thought of helping people recover from an illness or injury, alleviate a disability or restore independence appeal to you? If so, a degree in recreational therapy can pave the way to the rewarding, people-focused career you are looking for.
From the start, our curriculum will train you to be client-focused while you learn to help persons with physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities set and achieve goals in their personal development. Patients accomplish this through many techniques such as creative play, adaptive sports, the use of animals, art, music, exercise, aquatics and interacting with others in social settings. In addition to the recreation therapy courses, you will receive a background in psychology, human movement and human service fields where you will learn to assess and evaluate clients and create treatment plans. These skills can be valuable in a variety of social service fields in addition to recreation therapy.
Why choose Indiana Tech?
- Our program meets requirements to prepare you for the national certification exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
- You will be part of a culture of teamwork between students, advisors and teachers who share the common goal of your personal success.
- You will be required to complete two internships, but you will have so many more opportunities to gain enriching real-life field experience.
- You will have the opportunity to attend conferences that will put you in direct touch with practicing recreation therapists while strengthening your relationship with your instructors and classmates.
- Indiana Tech fosters an active learning environment, enriched by instructors who possess years of experience in their respective fields.
Postbaccelaureate Certificate Program
Indiana Tech offers a postbaccalaureate certificate as an alternative pathway to a career in therapeutic recreation. A postbaccalaureate certificate in recreation therapy will help you become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. When you complete this certificate, you will have the academic requirements needed to apply for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. This opportunity is available to anyone with a bachelor’s degree in any field.
Career Outlook
Job Outlook
Below are some of the potential career opportunities available to graduates with this degree. Additionally, you will find national statistics for average annual salaries and projected job growth, as identified by BLS.gov statistics. Salaries can vary based on the market in which you live and the prior experience you bring to the position.
- Recreational therapist $47,860/year
Job outlook through 2028: 7 percent increase
Warriors in the Workplace
Indiana Tech graduates with this degree have earned jobs at:
- Meaningful Day Services
- Ferraro Behavioral Services
- North Node Wellness
- Camp Red Cedar
- Flow
- Turnstone
- Pure Abilities
- Anthony Wayne Services
Internship Opportunities
Indiana Tech students pursuing this degree have interned with:
- Easter Seals, ARC
- Athletes With Purpose
- Camp Red Cedar
- The Plex-Fort Wayne
- Pure Abilities
- Anthony Wayne Services
- North Node Wellness
Haley Merz
B.S. Recreation Therapy, 2019
Success Story
Haley Merz combined her natural compassionate nature with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy to secure a wonderful position helping others at Pure Abilities, LLC, an Indiana-based company that provides one-on-one therapeutic services for individua…
Beth Robinson
Program Lead
Professor Robinson has years of experience working with a wide variety of clientele. She worked at a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., helping in a free medical clinic that served the homeless. She was a child abuse investigator for the state of Missouri. She has supervised a group home for individuals with intellectual and psychological disabilities. And she has worked in a day treatment center for adults with developmental disabilities. Professor Robinson is a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and the Recreation Therapists of Indiana, and was a former member of its board. She has had her Certification in Recreation Therapy (CTRS) for 20 years.
- M.A., Physical Education and Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- B.S., Government, Northwest Missouri State University