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Therapeutic recreation is provided by professionals who
are trained and certified, registered and/or licensed to provide
therapeutic recreation services. Most employers require a
minimum of a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or
in recreation with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation.
We offer an eighteen credit certificate with the therapeutic
recreation courses required
to sit for the national certification exam to become a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Supportive
courses in anatomy and physiology, abnormal psychology, and
human growth and development are also required for
certification. Before the student will be eligible for
certification he or she will need to work under a CTRS
for one year. For more information on becoming a CTRS, visit
the The National
Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
web site.
Therapeutic recreation services contribute to the broad spectrum
of health care through treatment (recreational therapy), education,
and the provision of adapted recreational opportunities—all
of which are instrumental to improving and maintaining physical,
cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, preventing secondary
health conditions, enhancing independent living skills and
the overall quality of life.
With certification in therapeutic recreation, a practitioner
can work in a variety of agencies and organizations. The possibilities
include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing
homes, psychiatric hospitals, community recreation centers,
pediatric hospitals, group homes, senior centers, community
mental health centers, public and private schools, correctional
facilities and private practice. Services are provided for
individuals with a variety of disabilities, illnesses and
chronic conditions. Individuals of all ages benefit from the
services provided by certified therapeutic recreation specialists
(CTRS). Unique to the FGCU program is a concentration in gerontology
and TR.
For more information on careers
in recreation therapy, visit:
The
Recreational Therapy Professional
U.S.
Department of Labor: Recreation Therapist
The Therapeutic Recreation Certificate program admission
requirements include:
- Submission of a Florida Gulf Coast University Non
Degree Seeking Enrollment Application
for program admission, and satisfaction of all applicable
university admission requirements.
- Submission of a completed application
for the Therapeutic Recreation Certificate program.
- Graduation from a baccalaureate level program or a graduate
degree from an accredited college or university, documented
by official transcripts.
- Minimum score of 550 on TOEFL for international students
who speak English as a second language.
Applicants may apply for either spring or fall admission.
To assure consideration, applicants must be admitted to FGCU
and supplemental application materials must be postmarked
to the College of Health Professions.
A program faculty advisor is available to assist students.
A Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation is conferred upon
successful completion of the program.
This is a web based distance learning program.
Eighteen (18) credits of coursework are required to complete
the Therapeutic Recreation program.
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