Program Overview

Certificate in Recreation Therapy

The Certificate in Recreation Therapy prepares students for the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification exam and the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. A baccalaureate degree, which may be awarded concurrently, is required for completion of this certificate program. This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.

Program Requirements

To complete the certificate program, students must take the following courses:

• REC 351 Foundations of Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy (3) *"C" or better required.
  • Prerequisites: REC 141, REC 225
• REC 451 Management and Administration of Recreation Therapy Services (3)
  • Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in REC 351, REC 452
• REC 452 Assessment and Documentation in Recreation Therapy (3) *"C" or better required.
  • Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in REC 351
• REC 453 Comprehensive Programming and Evaluation in Recreation Therapy (3)
  • Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in REC 351
• REC 454 Counseling Techniques in Recreation Therapy (3)
  • Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in REC 351
• REC 458 Clinical Techniques in Recreation Therapy (3)
  • Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in REC 351
• HSC 150 Medical Terminology (1)
  • Prerequisite: None
• PSY 100 General Psychology (3)
  • Prerequisite/Corequisite: GE A1 requirement
• PSY 370 Abnormal Psychology (3)
  • Prerequisites: PSY 100
• ANTH 319 Human Growth and Development (3)
  • Prerequisites: None
• REC 498 Internship in Leisure Services (6-12)
  • Prerequisites: Completion of all major requirements; REC 485, or 1000 hours of verified paid or volunteer leadership experience approved by faculty advisor, or 500 hours of experience and fluency in both English and a second language consistent with CSULB Language Proficiency Requirements; and consent of internship coordinator
• Take six units of advisor-approved Recreation courses
• Take both of the following courses:
  • BIOL 207 Human Physiology (4)
    • Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements
  • BIOL 208 Human Anatomy (4)
    • Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in one of the following: ART 372, BIOL 205, BIOL 207, BIOL 212, CHEM 140, DANC 261, or MICR 200
• Take 9 units of approved elective courses from:
  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Communication
  • Dance
  • Educational Psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Health Science
  • Human Development
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Sociology