Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Recreational Therapy, Bachelor of Science (BS)

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Degree Program Writing Competency: Upon completion of the degree program RT students will write professionally and effectively, according to expectations of the Recreational Therapy profession. – UG1

2. Life-Long Learning: Recognize the importance of lifelong learning and demonstrates responsibly for self-assessment and growth.  This ability is evident through the demonstration of self-initiating behaviors, anticipating and responding to changes in a productive manner, assuming responsibility for continuous self-reflection assessment of strengths and limitations and in seeking out information from a variety of resources in an independent manner. – UG5, UG6

3. Methodological Proficiency: Upon completion of the degree program RT students will use an analytical framework to facilitate the Recreational Therapy process to meet the needs of individuals. The abilities developed include a solid knowledge of the RT process, assessment methods, planning skills, intervention, techniques and strategies, and evaluation skills. – UG2, UG3, UG4,

4. Professional Decision Making: Analyze and synthesize complex information to make sound clinical decisions.  This ability is inclusive of areas such as problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation and organization with application to clinical and non-clinical areas. – UG10

5. Professional Interactions: Effectively communicates with people in a variety of professional contexts including assisting clients in confronting and coping with life challenges, collaborating on teams and presenting information in oral and written formats. The abilities developed include striving to maintain objectivity, tolerating ambiguity, appreciating diversity and adhering to conventional standards of expression. – UG8, UG10,

6. Valuing Ethical Responsibilities: Act with professional values in all situations.  These skills include maintaining appropriate humane and ethical treatment of individuals as well as upholding the professional code of ethics. This expertise includes formulating value judgments reflecting a respect for dignity and individuality of every person. – UG7, UG8, UG9

RELATED LINKS

Recreational Therapy, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements57
Professional Electives6
NCTRC Certification Requirements18
Electives18

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Required Thematic Thread Coursework: 212
Medical/Health Care Ethics
Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions
Introduction to Psychology
Additional 300-400 Level Course
Additional 100-200 Level Course
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

  • 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • Students must become certified in First Aid and CPR. This can be accomplished by taking a course (example: American Heart Association or by completing SAFE 205–First Aid & Safety).
Recreational Therapy Courses
Must earn a “C” or better in all of the following RCTH courses:
RCTH 120Disability, Community Inclusion, and Diversity 13
RCTH 220Recreational Therapy Services 13
RCTH 232Recreational Therapy for People with Physical Disabilities 13
RCTH 233Recreational Therapy for People with Psychosocial and Mental Disorders 13
RCTH 314Clinical Aspects of Recreational Therapy 13
RCTH 316Applied Research and Evidenced-Based Practice 13
RCTH 317Organization and Management of Recreational Therapy Practice 13
RCTH 319Client Assessment in Recreational Therapy 13
RCTH 320Recreational Therapy Program Design 13
RCTH 351Recreational Therapy Practicum 13
RCTH 364Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities3
RCTH 415Challenges and Trends in Recreational Therapy 13
RCTH 420Recreational Therapy for Older Adults 13
RCTH 422Leisure Education and Counseling 13
RCTH 423Facilitation of RT Interventions 13
RCTH 450Internship 1, 212
Subtotal57
Total Hours57
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

Evidence of current First Aid & CPR certification must be provided prior to enrollment

3

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVES

PHIL 325Medical/Health Care Ethics 13
or HCAM 375 Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions
PSYC 276Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
Total Hours6
1

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total

NCTRC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

These courses must be completed by the student in order to be eligible to take NCTRC Certification Exam

PE 360Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Physical Activity/Lab3
PHIL 325Medical/Health Care Ethics 13
or HCAM 375 Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology 13
PSYC 244Developmental Psychology 13
PSYC 276Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
RCTH 364Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities3
Total Hours18
1

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Student leadership development
  4. Service-learning classes
  5. Internships
  6. Volunteering

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

RECREATIONAL THERAPY - BS (6393)
This program is effective as of Summer 2024
Revised 05.16.2024
UCC 04.16.2024

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
RCTH 120 Disability, Community Inclusion, and Diversity 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
RCTH 220 Recreational Therapy Services 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
PSYC 244 Developmental Psychology 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
RCTH 233 Recreational Therapy for People with Psychosocial and Mental Disorders 3
PSYC 276 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Humanities Inquiry 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
RCTH 232
Recreational Therapy for People with Physical Disabilities (RCTH 232 is offered in Spring term only)
or Recreational Therapy for People with Psychosocial and Mental Disorders
3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective/Minor 6
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
RCTH 316 Applied Research and Evidenced-Based Practice 3
RCTH 319 Client Assessment in Recreational Therapy 3
PE 360 Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Physical Activity/Lab 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring
RCTH 314 Clinical Aspects of Recreational Therapy 3
RCTH 317 Organization and Management of Recreational Therapy Practice 3
RCTH 364 Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities 3
RCTH 415 Challenges and Trends in Recreational Therapy 3
RCTH 423 Facilitation of RT Interventions 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
RCTH 320 Recreational Therapy Program Design 3
RCTH 351 Recreational Therapy Practicum 3
RCTH 420 Recreational Therapy for Older Adults 3
RCTH 422 Leisure Education and Counseling 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring
RCTH 450 Internship 12
PHIL 325
Medical/Health Care Ethics
or Ethics & Legal Fundamentals for the Health Professions
3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 6393
Revised: 04.12.2024