Recreational Therapy - Master of Science
The Master of Science in Recreational Therapy is a comprehensive program of study designed to prepare graduates for careers in the multifaceted field of therapeutic recreation. Our dual track curriculum serves two kinds of the students, the certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) seeking advanced training in therapeutic recreation as well as the student who wants to enter the therapeutic recreation profession by completing his or her masters degree. All students completing a masters at UWL meet all criteria for sitting for the national therapeutic recreation examination.
Please visit the website that introduces you to the graduate Recreational Therapy Program, our graduate faculty, and the opportunities at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
www.uwlax.edu/grad/therapeutic-recreation/
For more information please contact:
Kate Evans, Ph.D.,
kevans@uwlax.edu
608.785.8210
Admission
Students without a previous background in recreational therapy, as well as those who are certification eligible as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, will be admitted into the program after fulfilling university graduate school admission requirements. Students without backgrounds in recreational therapy will only be admitted in the Spring semester. Deficiencies will be determined based on the student's educational background and work experience.
There are minimum undergraduate prerequisite course and competency requirements for admission to the Master of Science degree program in recreational therapy.
Prerequisite courses (or equivalent knowledge):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ESS 205 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise Science I | 3 |
| PSY 204 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 212 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| RTH 376 | Assessment and Treatment Planning in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| STAT 145 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
The above courses may be taken at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse during the first two semesters of the graduate program (except for RTH 376 which must be completed in the first semester of the graduate program).
Prerequisite competency:
Knowledge of and experience with a disability group in a recreational therapy setting (minimum 50 documented hours of acceptable experience).
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam
To become eligible to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam through the professional academic path, a total of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of supportive course work must be successfully completed with at least three units in the content of abnormal psychology, three units in the content of anatomy and physiology, and three units in the content area of human growth and development across the lifespan. The remaining semester units or quarter units of course work must be fulfilled in the content of "human services" as defined by NCTRC (human services is defined to include courses supportive to the practice of recreational therapy such as: psychology, sociology, related biological/physical sciences, adaptive physical education, special education, education, ethics and other disciplines of study supportive to the practice of recreational therapy). Students must fulfill the most current NCTRC requirements for certification eligibility. Fulfilling the most recent NCTRC requirements for eligibility is the responsibility of the student.
Curriculum
(30-36 credits)
Upon admission, the student will be classified into one of two groups based upon previous academic background, certification status, and professional experience in the field of recreational therapy. The student will be classified either as a
- Student without a previous background in recreational therapy or
- Student with a previous background (certification eligible) in recreational therapy.
Program of study for a student with a background (certification eligible) in recreational therapy:
The program of study involves a minimum of 30 credits. A program of study includes the required courses, one of two capstone experiences, and electives. The program of study will be jointly developed by the student and the Recreational Therapy Program Director.
Required courses (18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RTH 593 | Advancing the Recreational Therapy Profession | 3 |
| RTH 701 | Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, Play and Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 720 | Research Methods for Recreation, Parks, and Leisure | 3 |
| RTH 730 | Advanced Clinical Aspects in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 740 | Evidence-Based Practice in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 750 | Authentic Leadership and Clinical Supervision in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Capstone Experience
Students with a recreational therapy background must select one of two research options as the capstone experience to their graduate program. The options are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option A - thesis | ||
| REC 799 | Research: Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option B - graduate project | ||
| REC 761 | Graduate Project in Recreation | 3-6 |
Elective courses
Additional elective courses may be required to fulfill the minimum number of credits (30) to graduate. The elective course(s) will be determined jointly by the student and the Recreational Therapy Program Director.
Program of study for a student without a previous background in recreational therapy:
SPRING SEMESTER ADMISSION ONLY
This program of study requires 36 credits. The program of study includes the required graduate courses and internship capstone experience. Additional credit(s) may be required to fulfill the sitting requirements of the NCTRC. A program of study will be developed by the student and the Recreational Therapy Program Director.
Required courses (36 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RTH 556 | Program Design and Administration of Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 570 | Recreational Therapy Processes and Facilitation Techniques | 3 |
| RTH 591 | Workshops in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 592 | Clinical Education Experience in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 593 | Advancing the Recreational Therapy Profession | 3 |
| RTH 700 | Internship in Recreational Therapy | 6 |
| RTH 701 | Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, Play and Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 720 | Research Methods for Recreation, Parks, and Leisure | 3 |
| RTH 730 | Advanced Clinical Aspects in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 740 | Evidence-Based Practice in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RTH 750 | Authentic Leadership and Clinical Supervision in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
At the discretion of the Recreational Therapy Program Director, previously taken equivalent undergraduate courses may not have to be repeated at the graduate level. Students who have required coursework waived must still earn at least 30 applicable graduate credits to complete the degree.
Capstone Experience
For students without a recreational therapy background, their internship (RTH 700) is the required capstone experience. These students may, if they choose, also complete a thesis or graduate project, but neither is required.
University graduate degree requirements
After being admitted to the program of one's choice, candidates for a graduate degree must:
- Complete any preliminary course work and deficiencies.
- Complete all courses and other program requirements, including residence requirements prescribed for the degree desired in the respective school or college within a seven-year period from the date of initial enrollment, with the exception of students enrolled in the Student Affairs Administration and Leadership Ed.D. (SAA Ed.D.) graduate program. SAA Ed.D. students must complete all degree requirements within ten years from the time of initial enrollment in the graduate program.
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits for a master's degree; 54 credits for a doctorate or post-master's degree. Earn at least one-half of the minimum number of credits required in the program in graduate-only level courses (700, 800, 900, and non-slash 600 level courses). Some UWL graduate programs require more than 30 graduate credits. Please review the individual program requirements listed in the catalog for the exact number of credits required.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
- Satisfy dissertation, thesis, seminar paper, terminal/graduate projects and internships, or comprehensive examination, where applicable. A dissertation or thesis approved by the committee must be submitted to Graduate & Extended Learning for editorial review and approval by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. The recommended initial submission date for review is two weeks before commencement. Ordinarily, a seminar paper or project report does not have to be approved by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. However, if the seminar paper or project report is to be archived in Murphy Library, the student must follow the same rules as they apply to the dissertation/thesis requiring approval from the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. For further research/dissertation/thesis guidelines, see Graduate & Extended Learning.
- File a completed "Intent to Graduate" form online via the WINGS Student Center immediately following registration for the final semester or summer term in residence. December graduates and winter intersession should file by May 1. May and summer graduates should file by December 1.
- Pay the graduation fee and remove all other indebtedness to the university. Payment of graduation fees does not imply readiness for graduation and does not take the place of applying for graduation.
- Complete all requirements within 30 days after the official ending date of a term in order for a degree to be awarded for that term. (See #5 above for separate deadline for written capstone experience.)