Major: Therapeutic Recreation
Gardening can help people heal from sickness and increase their ability to function. What is it about digging in the dirt that's so helpful? Maybe it’s the fresh air that perks us up. Maybe it’s seeing the rewards of our work: the big pile of weeds we've pulled or the row of seedlings we've planted. Maybe observing the beauty and power of nature -- flowers blossoming from one day to the next -- helps us heal. Most likely, we benefit from a combination of all these factors.
As a therapeutic recreation major, you’ll learn how to use activities like gardening to help people overcome obstacles and improve their lives.
This program prepares students to plan, organize, and direct recreational activities that encourage the health and well-being of patients with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
Did You Know?
- Although some schools offer associate’s degree programs in therapeutic recreation, you’ll need a bachelor's degree to become certified in the field.
Are You Ready To...?
- Design mock treatment programs
- Build skills in a range of recreational activities
- Volunteer or work leading recreational activities with various groups
- Complete internships
- Join campus recreation and therapeutic recreation clubs
- Join Rho Phi Lambda, the national honorary society for therapeutic recreation majors
- Visit the website for a professional association such as the American Therapeutic Recreation Association
It Helps to Be...
A warm, friendly person with strong leadership and communication skills. You'll need to be able to motivate others while showing patience toward clients with limited abilities. You'll enjoy this major if you like planning and running programs and activities.
College Checklist
- Will the program help students pass the exam given by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification?
- Do the professors work as recreational therapists?
- What are the professors' particular areas of interest?
- What recreation facilities, such as swimming pools, are on campus?
- What percent of graduates find jobs as recreational therapists?
- What do recent graduates have to say about the program?
- Will the program help you find work after graduation?
Did You Know?
- One example of recreational therapy is the "ropes course," in which groups of people climb and swing on ropes high above the ground. It promotes self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
Course Spotlight
One of the most valuable experiences you'll have isn't actually a course. It's a hands-on learning opportunity that your school may call an internship or a practicum. You might be placed in a mental hospital, a school for deaf children, or a home for the elderly. You might help people dance, make sculptures, or take nature hikes.
The practice you gain as you plan, run, and evaluate recreational activities will help you immensely once you accept your first real job.
