The Recreational Therapy program prepares students to work as professionals in the field of Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. Students in the SRU Recreational Therapy program will have an opportunity to:

• work with a variety of clinical populations,
• engage in experiential learning,
• and study evidence-based research in the field of therapeutic recreation.

Recreational therapists work in a variety of settings, including long term care, addictions treatment, physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, serving at-risk youth, and with people with developmental disabilities.

The Recreational Therapy degree program is designed to prepare competent entry-level recreational therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Successful completion of Recreational Therapy coursework and a 14 week internship results in student eligibility for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) examination and entry-level employment in the Therapeutic Recreation profession.

The Recreational Therapy program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Committee on the Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE). You can learn more about the profession of Therapeutic Recreation at the American Therapeutic Recreation Association's website.

Stay connected with Recreational Therapy by joining the RT Facebook group.

CARTE Program Outcome Results

National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Exam Results

The NCTRC exam results for the testing period of 2018-2020; First-Time Candidate Report indicates that of the 57 students that took the examination during the testing period, the pass rate was well above the national average. The Slippery Rock University student pass rate was 93.0 % compared to the national pass rate of 87.0%. The Comprehensive School Report during the same time-period indicated similar results, the pass rate for the 60 SRU students were 88.3% compared to the national pass rate of 80.1%. 

Clinical Performance Appraisal Summary Result

In 2020, of the 34 internship students rated, 72% were rated as "exceeds expectation," 18% were rated as "above expectations," and 5% were rated as "achieves expectations." Overall, 100% of the interns were rated at "achieves expectations" or higher on their final site supervisor evaluation.  

Apply Now

Are you interested in majoring in Recreational Therapy? Are you interested in SRU? If so, you could be a "Recreational Therapy Major for a Day." Prospective students are invited to come to SRU to experience a day in the life of a Recreational Therapy major. The faculty members will pair you with a current students and you will attend classes just as if you are a RT major!

Sound like fun? Dr. Colleen Cooke, or Dr. Betsy Kemeny to establish a date and time for your visit.

To apply for admission to the Recreational Therapy program, follow these steps:

1. Submit your application to SRU.
2. Set-up a campus visit, either with the admissions department or by contacting Recreational Therapy faculty members Dr. Colleen Cooke, or Dr. Betsy Kemeny.