Therapeutic Recreation
The Therapeutic Recreation option is part of the Sport Science Department in the College of Education and Related Professions. Students majoring in therapeutic recreation complete institutional requirements, professional program core requirements which several are required for certification. If students transfer into the major after their basic course work has been complete, they may be advised to take courses from the institutional requirements and professional core to fulfill degree requirements making them eligible for certification processes. The student will complete thirteen (13) professional courses, 3 of which are field-based within the Recreation major. Additionally, each student completes specific professional courses in therapeutic recreation. The classes are sequenced and to be permitted to enter the field experiences, specific admissions, GPA requirements, and experience hours must be achieved and verified. Also, in the area of electives, students are encouraged to visit with their advisor to select course work required by professional certification standards set by autonomous certifying bodies external to Ashland University. These requirements may be above and beyond graduation requirements.
The Therapeutic Recreation program is designed to prepare supervisory and administrative personnel for therapeutic recreation services in clinical and non-clinical positions. The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist is a member of an interdisciplinary team that works with persons who have physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, chronic illness, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional disabilities, and with at-risk youth and children. Career opportunities are available in:
- medical, surgical and psychiatric hospitals
- senior centers
- child life programs
- agencies that serve persons with mental retardation
- sheltered workshops
- mental health agencies
- community agencies providing specialized recreation
- vocational training centers
- long term care facilities/nursing homes
- outdoor settings