The field of therapeutic recreation is moving towards a master’s level entry (much like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology recently have). The creation of a dual degree program will provide students with a more efficient path towards completion of their master’s degree. This dual degree program will allow students to complete a bachelor's and a master’s degree (+1) in less time in the therapeutic recreation program and to be eligible to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist™.
Admission to the program
To be considered for admission to the dual degree program, the student must:
- Be a current therapeutic recreation student who has been accepted into the program and has completed at least 75 undergraduate credits.
- Have completed or is concurrently taking RTH 252, RTH 319, RTH 329, PSY 204, ESS 205 (or BIO 312).
- Have a minimum cumulative UWL GPA of 3.2 to apply.
Further selection is based on the following criteria:
- Cumulative UWL GPA
- Pre-professional experience
- 250 word essay explaining why the applicant wants to pursue a degree in therapeutic recreation
Graduation requirements
Bachelor of Science
- All courses required in the Therapeutic Recreation Program during the undergraduate portion of the dual degree program must be passed with a minimum grade of "C" or better with a GPA of 2.5 or better on a scale of 4.0.
- All program and university requirements must be met (120 credits total).
Master of Science
- A total of at least 30 credits of graduate level courses that must be competed with a "B" or better (3.0/4.0) in each course. This includes the courses taken during the undergraduate period: RTH 556, RTH 570, and RTH 576. These credits will count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 scale in all graduate courses is required for graduation from graduate school.
Curriculum
(College of Science and Health)
83 credits, excluding general education credits
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 4 |
| Biology for the Informed Citizen | |
| General Biology | |
| Microbes and Society | |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| STAT 145 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 11 |
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| PSY 204 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 212 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| ESS 205 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise Science I | 3 |
| or BIO 312 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
| REC 150 | Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well Being | 3 |
| RTH 250 | Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 252 | Innovative Activities in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 319 | Management Functions in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 329 | Diagnostic Groups in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 355 | Medical Language | 3 |
| RTH 462 | Inclusive Recreation Program Administration | 3 |
| RTH 480 | Leisure Education in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 493 | Therapeutic Recreation Trends and Issues | 3 |
| RTH 496 | Fieldwork Preparation in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 498 | Internship in Therapeutic Recreation | 12 |
| 2-3 |
| Therapeutic Recreation and Corrections | |
| Adaptive Sports and Therapeutic Recreation | |
| Therapeutic Recreation and Mental Health | |
| Therapeutic Recreation for Persons With Physical Disabilities | |
| Recreational Therapy for Older Adults | |
| Workshop in Therapeutic Recreation | |
| Independent Study in Therapeutic Recreation | |
| Special Projects in Therapeutic Recreation | |
| RTH 556 | Program Design and Administration of Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 570 | Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 576 | Assessment and Treatment Planning in Therapeutic Recreation | 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/Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 740 | Evidence-Based Practice in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| RTH 750 | Authentic Leadership and Clinical Supervision in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| REC 761 | Graduate Project in Recreation | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 83-84 |
Internship in senior year:
RTH 498 Internship in Therapeutic Recreation will be taken for 12 credits while the student is an undergraduate. To be admitted to RTH 498, students must achieve a 2.5 cumulative and major GPA and have successfully completed all program course work. The internship will be in either the Spring or Summer term of the student's senior year.
After RTH 498 Internship in Therapeutic Recreation is completed, the student will graduate with their Bachelor of Science with a major in therapeutic recreation.
Master of Science curriculum
Total for M.S. = 30 credits, including the nine credits of graduate courses (RTH 556, RTH 576, and RTH 570) taken during the undergraduate years
For complete details regarding application procedures, contact the Therapeutic Recreation Program Director in the Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation.
All students must complete the general education, college core (waived for therapeutic recreation majors), major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college. (No substitutions for graduation may be made in course requirements for a major or minor after the fourth week of the last semester of the senior year.)
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement.
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| REC 150 (Gen Ed Health & Well-Being) | 3 | RTH 250 | 3 | |
| ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 | STAT 145 (Gen Ed Math) | 4 | |
| PSY 100 (Gen Ed Self & Society) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 | |
| BIO 100, 105, or MIC 100 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science) | 4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | |
| FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 | Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 | |
| | 16 | | 16 | | |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| ESS 2051 | 3 | RTH 319 | 3 | |
| PSY 2121 | 3 | RTH 252 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Math or Lang/Logical Systems | 3-4 | PSY 2041 | 3 | |
| RTH 329 | 3 | University Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | |
| | 15 | | 15 | | |
| Year 3 |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 | RTH 496 | 3 | |
| RTH 355 | 3 | RTH 556 | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | RTH 570 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed World History | 3 | Therapeutic Recreation Elective | 2-3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 3 | |
| Apply to TR Dual Degree Program2 | | University Elective | 1 | |
| Apply for "special non-degree graduate student status" for spring semester | | | |
| | 15 | | 16 | | |
| Year 4 |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| RTH 462 | 3 | RTH 498 | 12-16 | |
| RTH 480 | 3 | | |
| RTH 493 | 3 | | |
| RTH 576 | 3 | | |
| University Elective | 3 | | |
| Apply for "full graduate status" for next fall | | | |
| | 15 | | 12 | | |
| Additional year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
|---|
| RTH 701 | 3 | RTH 720 | 3 | REC 761 | 3 |
| RTH 740 | 3 | RTH 730 | 3 | |
| RTH 750 | 3 | Therapeutic Recreation Elective | 3 | |
| | 9 | | 9 | | 3 |
| Total Credits: 141 |
