Inspire and Build!
Recreational Therapy is one of the fastest-growing allied health-related professions in the United States. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) serve individuals with disabilities (physical, mental, intellectual, etc.). They use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a patient's physical, social, and emotional well-being.
They also serve at-risk children, youth, and senior citizens in institutional and community settings. Other settings could include hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, wilderness programs, community centers, and senior centers.
They also serve at-risk children, youth, and senior citizens in institutional and community settings. Other settings could include hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, wilderness programs, community centers, and senior centers.
"As a student in the Therapeutic Recreation major, I am able to put my passions into a career. Rec Therapy also gave me the drive to look outside of school for ways to further my education. The professors take an active approach outside of the classroom to further your individual development."
PEN B.,
BYU-I GRADUATE
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Watch expert advice on how to succeed in this major + career options
Highlighted Career Paths
Graduates with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation have a wide array of rewarding careers before them. Check out some of the top careers students get with this degree or explore more career options in I-Plan.
Recreational/Expressive Therapist
Responsible for planning and implementing therapeutic services for assigned programs, which involves defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and providing continuous care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to patients.
Adaptive Specialists
Serve people with disabilities in their surrounding communities by helping build adaptive and inclusive recreation programming. The position may require programming; seeking funding; building partnerships; establishing a volunteer base; and developing, implementing, and evaluating adapted recreation and sports programs.
Activity Director
Develop, modify, evaluate, and implement activity programs that address and improve the social needs and interests of the population their facility will serve.
Getting Started in this degree
If you are interested in Therapeutic Recreation, start with one of the following major-specific courses
Related Majors
This program prepares students to pass the national licensure exam and work under the direction of a physical therapist as a licensed physical therapist assistant.
The Recreation Management program provides students with life-enhancing abilities to create wholesome recreation and leisure experiences in professional, civic, religious, and home settings.
Develop an understanding of how the body reacts to physical stress and movement.