2019-2020 Catalog

Recreation Therapy, A.A.S.

A.A.S. Degree—63 credit hours

Curriculum Code 1259

This program prepares students for a professional career in recreation therapy. Recreation Therapy professionals help people in community and clinical settings. Recreation therapists plan, and implement therapeutic-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. These therapists use a variety of modalities including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, aquatics and community outings to help maintain or improve a person's physical, social, cognitive, spiritual and emotional well-being. Graduates are eligible for employment in physical rehabilitation centers, medical rehabilitation centers, hospitals, long-term care, skilled care, adult day care, alcohol and drug treatment centers, special recreation associations, and mental health agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average of all occupations. As the large baby-boom generation ages, they will need recreational therapists to help treat age-related injuries and illnesses and to help them maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Hospitals will provide a large number of recreation therapy jobs, with additional jobs provided by long-term rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals. Continued growth is expected in community residential facilities, park districts and day care programs for people with disabilities.

Required General Education Courses

26 credit hours as follows:

BIO-115Anatomy and Physiology

5

COM-101Composition I

3

COM-102Composition II

3

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

MTH-120General Education Mathematics

3

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

SOC-101General Sociology

3

(Note: Take MTH-120 or higher.)

A minimum level of competency in mathematics is required for graduation for all A.A.S. degrees. This minimum competency may be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  • Placement into MTH-120 or higher; or
  • Successful completion with a minimum grade of “C” or better in BUS-120, MTH-102, MTH-109, MTH-121, or MTH-133 or higher-level mathematics course for designated career programs; or
  • An equivalent transfer course from another college with a minimum grade of “C”.

Select 3 credit hours from Humanities and Fine Arts:

ARB, ART, FRE, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, SPA, THE

Required Career Courses

27 credit hours as follows:

REC-101Rec Therapy and Sport Management

3

REC-102Older Adult Recreation and Wellness

3

REC-180Perceptual Motor Development

3

REC-182Recreation for Special Populations

3

REC-201Applied Leadership Essentials

3

REC-205Professional Issues

2

THR-150Recreation Therapy Techniques I

3

THR-152Recreation Therapy Techniques II

3

THR-233Recreation Therapy Practicum

3

THR-237Recreation Therapy Seminar

1

Electives - Select 10 credit hours from the following:

Electives to enhance skills identified to be important in the field.

ADC-101Introduction to Addiction Counseling

3

CRJ-107Juvenile Delinquency & Procedures

3

MRT-110Medical Terminology

3

PEH-160Fundamentals of Human Movement

3

PEH-170First Aid

3

PEH-171A Healthy Lifestyle and You

3

PEH-190Outdoor Recreation & Nature Study

3

PEH-___PEH-105, 107, 108, 120, or 140

1

Electives to ease transfer for those interested students.

PSY-104Life-Span Developmental Psychology

3

PSY-105Child Psychology

3

PSY-106Adolescent Psychology

3

PSY-205Abnormal Psychology

3

PSY-210Adult Psychology

3

SPA-101Spanish I

4

SPA-102Spanish II

4

Suggested Schedule

Semester 1 (15 credit hours)

COM-101Composition I

3

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

REC-101Rec Therapy and Sport Management

3

THR-150Recreation Therapy Techniques I

3

___-___Career Elective

3

Semester 2 (16 credit hours)

COM-102Composition II

3

REC-102Older Adult Recreation and Wellness

3

REC-180Perceptual Motor Development

3

SOC-101General Sociology

3

THR-152Recreation Therapy Techniques II

3

PEH-___PEH-105, 107, 108, 120, or 140

1

Semester 3 (15 credit hours)

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

MTH-120General Education Mathematics

3

REC-182Recreation for Special Populations

3

REC-201Applied Leadership Essentials

3

___-___Career Elective

3

(Note: Take MTH-120 or higher)

Semester 4 (17 credit hours)

BIO-115Anatomy and Physiology

5

REC-205Professional Issues

2

THR-233Recreation Therapy Practicum

3

THR-237Recreation Therapy Seminar

1

___-___Humanities and Fine Arts Elective

3

___-___Career Elective

3