Bachelor's in Recreational Therapy

The Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy program at UNCG provides students with requirements necessary to become nationally certified and licensed recreational therapists in North Carolina. Students in this program learn how to assess client needs, develop and implement individualized treatment plans, and document and evaluate client progress and program effectiveness.

Classroom lessons often incorporate service-learning, giving students hands-on experience in the field while serving the local community. Graduates can enter the workforce as licensed recreational therapists in settings including rehabilitation hospitals, drug and alcohol treatment centers, mental health facilities, assisted living and memory care units, and community inclusion. Students may also use this degree as a path to apply for graduate study in occupational therapy.

Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy Program Distinctions

Students in the Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy program (RT) learn from nationally regarded faculty and a program that has numerous accreditations.

• All Recreational Therapy faculty members are certified recreational therapists and licensed by the state of North Carolina.
• Recreational Therapy faculty member Joan Sutton is the board chair for the state RT licensure board.
• Recreational Therapy faculty member Dr. Brent Wolfe is the executive director for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.
• RT students have a higher-than-average 87% pass rate on the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam.
• Accreditations and Affiliations include:
  • Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions
  • American Therapeutic Recreation Association
  • North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association
  • North Carolina Recreation and Park Association

Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy Program Student Experience

Students in the Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy program will graduate from a rigorous program that requires extensive experience in the field. By graduation, students will have:

• Taken courses such as assessment, clinical procedures, facilitation techniques, abnormal psychology, human development, anatomy/physiology, helping skills, and medical terminology.
• Completed a semester-long fieldwork practicum and a semester-long internship, totaling over 600 hours of field experience.
• The opportunity to participate in research assistantships with faculty to gain valuable experience.

Other benefits of studying at UNCG include:

• The Accelerated Master’s Program. Students in this program can graduate with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in five years.
• Our students consistently earn scholarships and awards from state and national professional associations.
• Service-learning and volunteer opportunities offer hands-on practical experience in a myriad of professional and community settings.
• Students and the community have access to a 1,000 square foot lab for training and research.

After Graduating with a bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy

Graduates are prepared for careers in multiple settings, such as:

• Assisted living facilities
• Community and adaptive recreation programs
• Behavioral and mental health centers
• Animal assisted therapy
• Camps
• Correctional facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Schools

AFFILIATED MINORS

UNCG offers several minors that complement a Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy. They include:

• American Sign Language
• Gerontology
• Disability Studies
• Human Development and Family Studies