What degree do you need to be a recreational therapist

High School

You can prepare for a career as a recreational therapist by taking your high school's college preparatory program. This should include science classes, such as biology and chemistry, as well as mathematics and history classes. You can begin to gain an understanding of human behavior by taking psychology and sociology classes. For exposure to a variety of recreation specialties, take physical education, art, music, and drama classes. Verbal and written communication skills are essential for this work, so take English and speech classes. This job will require you to write reports and work with databases, so computer science skills are also essential.

Postsecondary Training

More than 100 recreational therapy programs, which offer degrees ranging from the associate to the doctoral level, are currently available in the United States. While associate degrees in recreational therapy exist, such a degree will allow you only to work at the paraprofessional level. To be eligible for an entry-level professional position as a recreational therapist, you will need a bachelor's degree. Acceptable majors are recreational therapy, therapeutic recreation, and recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. A typical four-year bachelor's degree program includes courses in both natural science (such as biology, behavioral science, and human anatomy) and social science (such as psychology and sociology). Courses more specific to the profession include programming for special populations; rehabilitative techniques including self-help skills, mobility, signing for the deaf, and orientation for the blind; medical equipment; current treatment approaches; legal issues; and professional ethics. In addition, you will need to complete a supervised internship or field placement lasting a minimum of 480 hours.

Those with degrees in related fields can enter the profession by earning master's degrees in therapeutic recreation. Advanced degrees are recommended for those seeking advancement to supervisory, administrative, and teaching positions. These requirements will become stricter as more professionals enter the field.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education is increasingly becoming a requirement for professionals in this field. Many therapists attend conferences and seminars and take additional university courses. A number of professional organizations (for example, the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, and SHAPE America) offer continuing education opportunities.

Home » Counseling » Recreational Therapist Careers

Learn how to become a recreational therapist.

Throughout its long evolution, recreational therapy (its practitioners are known as recreational therapists or therapeutic recreation specialists) has helped people across the globe who have become mentally or physically injured become active again.

Recreational therapists understand better than some other specialists how to use creative therapeutic methods to help their patients get over the stages of grief, build confidence again, and regain control of their lives.

Some therapies include:

• Music
• Sports
• Games
• Arts and crafts
• Animals
• Dance, movement and drama

Besides physical activity, recreational therapists also help individuals with illnesses and disabilities maintain physical, mental and emotional stability by assessing medical records, weighing observations from family members and medical staff. By using recreational activities, these therapists help patients reduce stress and anxiety, combat depression and recover motor skills and reasoning functionality. Recreational therapists also help patients with disabilities reenter the community by teaching them how to understand and use community resources and facilities.

Recreational Therapist Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Employment Statistics, the job growth for recreational therapists is 4 percent through 2031, which is slightly below average compared to all careers nationally (5 percent growth). Take a look at median annual salaries:

Recreational Therapist Work Environment

The majority of recreational therapists are employed in nursing care facilities, but other institutions, such as hospitals, residential care facilities and state and government agencies, also provide employment opportunities.

Recreational therapists may choose to maintain a private practice and these therapists will work with community programs, school special education programs or assisted living or substance abuse rehabilitation centers.

Training and Education

Psychology students interested in becoming a recreational therapist will need at least a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. This recreational therapist degree program offers training in assessment, treatment, program planning and intervention.

Certification is not mandatory for recreational therapy jobs, but it is generally acknowledged that employers prefer candidates who have obtained certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. This credential is awarded to recreational therapists who have passed a written exam and completed a supervised internship of at least 480 hours.

Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of recreational therapy, finding the right accredited psychology school will help you achieve your career goals and get on the path to becoming a recreational therapist.

Sources: Recreationtherapy.com

What degree do I need to be a recreational therapist?

How do I become a recreational therapist?

How to become a Certified recreational therapist?

What schools offer recreation therapy?

What qualities do you need to be a recreational therapist?

What state pays recreational therapists the most?

What's the difference between a physical therapist and a recreational therapist?

What is the job outlook for a recreational therapist?