What is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational Therapy (RT) is a systematic, evidence-based health care and human service profession that uses recreation, leisure, and other activity-based interventions to improve a person’s physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and social well-being. Recreational therapists are employed by major health care and human service organizations and provide a key service in rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics, aging services, and community programs.
The University of Utah has one of the country’s only nationally-accredited RT programs. Students learn from dedicated experts through coursework and hands-on clinical experience designed to launch them into a meaningful, impactful career helping people thrive.
Program Information
REcreational Therapy Overview
Recreational therapy (RT) is a form of therapy that uses physical recreation and activities to help people with illnesses or disabling conditions achieve mental and physical health. This therapy might include dancing, playing a sport, hiking, cooking, or even playing a video game.
If you like being active and want to help others at the same time, consider majoring in Recreational Therapy. This program will give you the counseling techniques and knowledge you need to help rehabilitate individuals and educate them on the support systems and skills needed to maintain their health and happiness.
The RT curriculum covers topics in recreational therapy foundations and treatment methods: through a combination of coursework, community programs, and treatment services, students learn how to conduct treatment planning and provide therapy. The culminating experience of the program is a recreational therapy internship through a local agency, preparing you for work in a professional environment. Students of this program graduate well-prepared to apply for licensure to practice as therapists or to find jobs in allied fields.
Recreational Therapy Program Outcomes
- To prepare competent, entry-level recreational therapists in the cognitive(knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Students will meet entry-level clinical job task skills as identified on the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRCTM) Job Analysis.
- Students will assume an advocacy role for individuals with disabilities, injuries, illnesses, and underrepresented populations.
- Students will understand and assume the role of an active member and advocate for the profession.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the requirements for gaining professional credentialing (Utah State Licensing and national certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)).
Admission Requirements
- A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA required prior to enrolling in RECTH major courses.
- RECTH courses require that the student must complete compliance requirements which include a criminal background check, BLS certification, immunizations and proof of health insurance within the first two weeks of the semester.
Program Requirements
- A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- RECTH courses must be completed with a grade of C or better before continuing in the RECTH course sequence.
- Supportive coursework must be completed with a C or better.
- RECTH courses may only be attempted twice. If minimum grade is not earned on second attempt, contact the RT advisor.
- RECTH courses used toward major requirements may not be more than 7 years old.
Licensing and Certification Requirements
Qualified professionals must have both academic and applied training in recreational therapy. In the State of Utah, to practice as a recreational therapist one must be licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing (DOPL). National certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is also required for most positions in Utah and across the United States and Canada.
Credentialing
The University of Utah Recreation Therapy coursework prepares the student to take the NCTRC examination to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and obtain Utah state licensure. However, we cannot guarantee students will be eligible for the NCTRC exam and Utah state licensure. The most recent report from NCTRC (2022) indicates graduates of the University of Utah perform strongly on this exam (100% pass rate) and exceed the national average (84.5% pass rate) on this certification exam.
Why Choose Recreational Therapy?
- Fast-Track Your Career: Start a professional health care career with a bachelor’s degree.
- A Career in Health Care and Human Services: RT professionals are essential providers using activity-based interventions to treat the "whole person" rather than just symptoms.
- Health Care Without the Desk: Spend your days actively engaging in meaningful activities with clients—not just sitting behind a desk or a computer.
- Versatile Launchpad: This degree is an ideal foundation for graduate programs in social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or advanced RT degrees.
RT is ideal for students who want hands-on work, creativity, and a career built around improving lives.
RT Professionals Help
|
|
What RT Professionals Do
- Assess client needs and strengths
- Select purposeful activities to support individual client goals—improving balance, building social skills, reducing anxiety, strengthening memory, etc.
- Modify recreation and leisure activities so people with physical or cognitive limitations can participate
- Use tabletop games, creative arts, hiking, biking, sports, video games, virtual reality, and more to support individuals with diverse needs
- Lead therapeutic sessions and adapt activities based on progress
In short: RT professionals use fun, meaningful activities to help people heal, flourish, and thrive.
RT Work Settings
Recreational therapists are needed in many settings, giving you the flexibility to choose the environment that fits your personality and passions.
|
|
RT in Action
- Facilitate rock climbing or ropes courses to help individuals managing anxiety or PTSD build self-efficacy, foster trust, and develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Implement Virtual Reality (VR) experiences to provide immersive pain management or to help motivate patients during repetitive physical rehabilitation exercises.
- Utilize Adaptive Sports—such as modified cycling or wheelchair basketball—to improve motor coordination and foster social inclusion for individuals with limited mobility.
- Engage in Expressive Arts—such as music or guided painting—to stimulate memory, reduce isolation, and improve emotional well-being in seniors with dementia.
Interested in Learning More?
Talk to an academic advisor or sign up for a class (open to all students):
- RECTH 2010: Introduction to RT (3 Credits Spring Semester)
- RECTH 2410: Adventure and Experiential RT (1 Credit Fall Semester)
- RECTH 2420: Adaptive Sport & Recreation in RT (1 Credit Fall Semester)
- RECTH 3330: Foundations of RT (3 Credits Fall Semester)
Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), verifies that the following program is judged to be in compliance with the nationally established standards and awarded Initial accreditation on September 17, 2021.
Recreational Therapy
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Contact Us
Have questions about the Recreational Therapy undergraduate program? Our team is here to provide the information you need.
