Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Recreational Therapy at Temple University is a graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in recreational therapy. The program requires 36 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree and is accredited by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

• Number of credits required beyond the baccalaureate: 36 for those who hold NCTRC national certification, and 36 plus 3 credits of Recreational Therapy-specific leveling coursework for those without NCTRC national certification.
• Specialization electives can be used to meet advanced certification from NCTRC after one year of full-time employment as a recreational therapist.

Course Sequence A (for those with NCTRC national certification)

• Required Core Graduate Courses:
  • HRPR 5001: Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions (0 credits)
  • RCTH 5001: Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5102: Recreational Therapy: Now and Then (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5301: Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5302: Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5311: Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5312: Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5402: Recreational Therapy Administration and Management (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5442: Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
• Electives: Select four of the following based on interests
  eeds (12 credits)
  • HRPR 8985: Teaching in Higher Education: Health Professions
  • RCTH 5009: Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions
  • RCTH 5204: Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology
  • RCTH 5205: Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Services
  • RCTH 5212: Play and Pediatric Development
  • RCTH 5214: Child Life Interventions
  • RCTH 5250: Special Topics in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5314: Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5315: Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5382: Independent Study
• Total Credit Hours: 36

Course Sequence B (for those without NCTRC national certification)

• Required Leveling/Supportive Undergraduate Courses:
  • KINS 1221: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credits)
  • PSY 2201: Foundations of Psychopathology (3 credits)
  • PSY 2301: Foundations of Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
  • RCTH 3096: Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • Additional credits in the content areas of social sciences and humanities (9 credits)
• Required Core Graduate Courses:
  • RCTH 5001: Graduate Research I in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5102: Recreational Therapy: Now and Then (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5301: Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy I (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5302: Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy II (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5311: Conceptual and Contemporary Issues in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5312: Leisure, Health, and Recreational Therapy Interventions (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5402: Recreational Therapy Administration and Management (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5442: Program Planning and Practice in Recreational Therapy (3 credits)
  • RCTH 5787: Recreational Therapy Practicum (3 credits)
• Electives: Select three of the following based on interests
  eeds (9 credits)
  • RCTH 5009: Entrepreneurship in the Health Professions
  • RCTH 5204: Recreational Therapy and Assistive Technology
  • RCTH 5205: Recreational Therapy in Geriatric Services
  • RCTH 5212: Play and Pediatric Development
  • RCTH 5214: Child Life Interventions
  • RCTH 5250: Special Topics in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5261: Disability Seminar on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions
  • RCTH 5271: Disability Seminar on Physical and Neurological Health Conditions
  • RCTH 5314: Leisure-time Physical Activity and Community Engagement in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5315: Social Engagement and Community Participation in Recreational Therapy
  • RCTH 5382: Independent Study
• Total Credit Hours: 36

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses

• B-

Culminating Event

• Successful completion of coursework constitutes the culminating event for the MS in Recreational Therapy.