The Recreational Therapy Degree has a competitive admissions program. To declare a major in Recreational Therapy, students submit a written application with a transcript and interview with the RT faculty. The minimum academic requirements for admission are: 2.0 overall GPA; no more than 10 semester hours remaining in general education. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS The 123 semester hours of credit required for a bachelor of science degree in RT includes 42 hours in General Education; 49 hours in the RCLS core; and 20 hours of cognate requirements. Undergraduate RT majors may choose an emphasis area to concentrate their coursework in preparation for vocations in physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, mental health/addiction, geriatrics, and municipal/community wellness.
Career Opportunities
The majority of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work as treatment team members in clinical settings. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, state institutions and long term care facilities have been stable employers of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. RT positions are also available in the community within parks and recreation departments, independent living centers, and community reintegration programs. North Carolina is highly supportive of Recreational Therapy with two very active professional organizations. There are over 650 nationally certified RT personnel in the state and over 600 who are certified through the North Carolina Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board. Locally, Greenville, the University, and its Medical School offer an excellent environment for health related experiences. Agencies providing RT experiences for students include a level one trauma hospital/rehabilitation center, substance abuse treatment center, community parks and recreation department, nursing homes, and state institutions for persons with developmental disabilities and psychiatric impairments.
Contact:
Dr. David Loy TRS/CTRS
Carol G. Belk Building, Room 2405
Curry Court
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-2718
loyd@ecu.edu
