Education · 1 of 5
The path
Four years, an unpaid internship, then a national exam.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Biology, psychology and health, plus any sport, music or art you actually enjoy. You will use those activities as tools.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Therapeutic recreation, or recreation with a therapeutic option, or another major if you complete the required coursework.
- 3
Required coursework
Inside the degree
At least 18 semester hours of therapeutic recreation content across 6 or more courses, plus 18 semester hours of supporting courses including anatomy and physiology, abnormal psychology and human growth and development.
- 4
Internship
One semester
A minimum 560 hour, 14 week internship for academic credit, supervised by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist at the site and at your college.
- 5
Certification exam
Months
Apply to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, allow 4 to 6 weeks for the eligibility review, then sit the national exam.