Department website: https://www.atu.edu/krs/

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is a specialized field within Rehabilitation Science that utilizes structured recreational activities to enhance the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of individuals with various health conditions or disabilities. By integrating leisure activities into therapeutic interventions, TR aims to improve quality of life and promote functional independence.

Role of Therapeutic Recreation in Rehabilitation Science:

In the context of Rehabilitation Science, Therapeutic Recreation serves as a vital component of holistic care. It focuses on:

1. Assessment: Evaluating the individual's abilities, needs, and interests to develop personalized therapeutic plans.
2. Planning: Developing an individual intervention plan based off of the identified goals, objectives, and treatment plan from the Assessment.
3. Intervention: Implementing recreational activities tailored to therapeutic goals, such as improving mobility, enhancing cognitive function, or fostering social interaction.
4. Evaluation: Monitoring progress and adjusting interventions to ensure optimal outcomes.

Benefits of Therapeutic Recreation:

Engaging in Therapeutic Recreation offers numerous benefits, including:

• Physical Health Improvement: Activities like adaptive sports or aquatic therapy can enhance strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
• Emotional Well-being: Creative arts and leisure activities provide emotional expression and stress relief.
• Cognitive Enhancement: Games and problem-solving activities stimulate cognitive functions and memory.
• Social Interaction: Group activities foster social skills and reduce feelings of isolation.

By incorporating these elements, Therapeutic Recreation contributes significantly to the rehabilitation process, supporting individuals in achieving greater independence and a higher quality of life.

Plan of Study Grid

Freshman
Fall		Hours
ENGL 1013	Composition I	3
FAH 1XXX	Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1	3
MATH XXXX	Mathematics 1	3
RS 2003	Introduction to Rehabilitation Science	3
SS 1XXX	Social Science Courses 1	3
TECH 1001	Orientation to the University	1
	Hours	16
Spring
ENGL 1023	Composition II	3
PSY 2003	General Psychology	3
SCIL 1XXX	Science with Laboratory 1	4
USHG 1XXX	U.S. History and Government 1	3
	Hours	13
Sophomore
Fall
BIOL 2004	Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology	4
COMM 2003	Public Speaking	3
PSY 3813	Lifespan Development	3
RS 3204	Interviewing Skills 2	4
RS 4123	Survey of Counseling Theories	3
	Hours	17
Spring
FAH 1XXX	Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1	3
PSY/SOC 2063	Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences	3
PSY 3003	Abnormal Psychology	3
RS 4003	Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability	3
RS 4023	Case Management Strategies 2	3
RS 4233	Diversity and Inclusion in Human Service Settings	3
	Hours	18
Junior
Fall
RS 4223	Ethics and Professional Development 2	3
RS 4253	Psychopathology	3
TR/RP 3013	Inclusive Recreation	3
TR/RP 4073	Principles and Techniques of Therapeutic Recreation	3
TR/RP 4173	Therapeutic Recreation Assessment and Documentation	3
	Hours	15
Spring
AHS 2013	Medical Terminology	3
RS 4104	Service Learning in Rehabilitation Science	4
TR/RP 4273	Administration and Operation of Therapeutic Recreation Programs	3
TR/RP 4373	Interventions in Therapeutic Recreation	3
Elective or Minor		3
	Hours	16
Senior
Fall
TR/RP 4473	Issues and Trends in Therapeutic Recreation	3
TR/RP 4573	Interventions in Therapeutic Recreation II	3
Elective or Minor		7
	Hours	13
Spring
TR/RP 4119	Mastery Professional Practice	9
Elective or Minor		3
	Hours	12
	Total Hours	120

¹

See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".

²

A grade of C or better required.

Students graduating from the program will demonstrate:

• an understanding of professional skills and behaviors related to the provision of therapeutic recreation services.
• the ability to create/select, conduct, and evaluate individualized assessment for therapeutic recreation services.
• the ability to conduct individualized planning of therapeutic recreation services and program design.
• the ability to implement and facilitate therapeutic recreation interventions and services for diverse clientele, settings, cultures, and contexts.
• the ability to document therapeutic recreation services according to regulatory, professional, and system requirements.
• the ability to evaluate therapeutic recreation services at the participant and program level and to use evaluation data to improve quality of services.
• entry-level knowledge of facts, concepts, principles, and procedures of management/administration in therapeutic recreation services.

For program assessment visit: https://www.atu.edu/assessment/program_assessment.php