Recreation and Leisure Services, Recreational Therapy Specialization, B.S.

Major in Recreation and Leisure Services

The major in Recreation and Leisure Services provides knowledge, skills, and experiences for students interested in preparing for positions in the recreation and leisure services profession. The major requires a general core accredited by NRPA which includes REC 3010 , REC 3380 , REC 3520 , REC 3530 , REC 3560 , REC 4540 , REC 4660 , REC 4890 , and REC 4900 /REC 4901 /REC 4902 (an extensive internship). Students may choose from three specializations: recreational therapy, outdoor recreation, or recreation administration. Students may choose to pursue a minor or advised electives of approximately 15 credit hours.

Recreational Therapy Specialization

Those choosing the recreational therapy specialization serve persons with disability and/or health-related issues in a variety of settings. Employment may be sought with clinical, psychiatric, or rehabilitation hospitals, community/transitional agencies, outdoor therapeutic programs, or other health-related agencies. A student graduating with this specialization may apply for national certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Ongoing consultation with an advisor is essential.

Recommended Curriculum

Freshman

ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
BIOL 1030 - Exploring Life 4 credit hours (Nat Sci) AND
BIOL 1031 - Exploring Life Lab 0 credit hours (Nat Sci)
Natural Sciences (CHEM or PHYS) 4 credit hours
Social/Behavioral Sciences (PSY and/or SOC) 6 credit hours
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm)
REC 3010 - Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services 3 credit hours
Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 29 Hours

Sophomore

ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) OR
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) OR
HUM 2610 - Foreign Literature in Translation 3 credit hours (Hum/FA)
Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
Mathematics 3 credit hours
REC 3380 - Introduction to Recreation for Persons with a Disability 3 credit hours
REC 3520 - Leadership and Group Processes in Recreation and Leisure Services 3 credit hours
REC 3530 - Program Planning in Recreation and Parks 3 credit hours
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours
Advised electives 9 credit hours

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Junior

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours
REC 4500 - Introduction to Recreational Therapy 3 credit hours
REC 4499 - Therapeutic Terminology in Recreational Therapy 3 credit hours
REC 4480 - Recreational Therapy Techniques 3 credit hours
REC 4890 - Pre-Internship Seminar 1 credit hour
REC 3560 - Field Studies in Recreation and Parks 3 credit hours
PSY 3230 - Abnormal Psychology 3 credit hours
Advised elective 9 credit hours
BIOL 2030 - Anatomy and Physiology 3 credit hours AND
BIOL 2031 - Anatomy and Physiology Lab 0 credit hours

Subtotal: 31 Hours

Senior

REC 4540 - Organization and Administration of Recreation 3 credit hours
REC 4660 - Evaluation of Recreation and Leisure Services 3 credit hours
REC 4510 - Recreational Therapy in Clinical Settings 3 credit hours
REC 4520 - Transitional and Community Recreational Therapy 3 credit hours
PSY 2300 - Developmental Psychology 3 credit hours OR
CDFS 3340 - Life Span Human Development 3 credit hours
Advised electives 3 credit hours
REC 4900 - Internship in Therapeutic Recreation 6 or 12 credit hours (12 credit hours required)