We are proud to say that the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education accredits the Recreational Therapy (RT) Bachelor of Science degree program; we are one of very few such programs in the U.S.
The B.S. in RT is the perfect program for those who want to work with people with a wide range of disabling conditions and to help those people achieve a higher quality of life. Our program has a clinical focus, which means that students will work in settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, substance-abuse centers, psychiatric clinics, and other such settings.
RT specialists touch the lives of those who struggle with physical, cognitive, emotional, or social illnesses, disabilities, and disorders by using recreation activities as modalities to enhance a person's functional abilities and promote independence.
RT graduates spend 15 weeks in a full-time job situation as interns and learn to work with a variety of clientele. Upon graduation, RT students are eligible to sit for the national exam presented by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Once you pass the exam, you will be fully credentialed to work in the field. If you choose to remain in North Carolina, in addition to national certification, you will need to become credentialed as a Licensed Recreational Therapist through the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL).
The vision of our Recreational Therapy degree program is:
To become a Center of Excellence that prepares the highest-quality recreational therapy clinicians and researchers who generate cutting-edge recreational therapy scholarship, and provide leadership to the profession.
The mission of our Recreational Therapy degree program is:
Through education and practical experience, prepare students to obtain professional credentials and provide quality recreational therapy services to consumers; to engage in significant research that supports and demonstrates the efficacy of services; and to provide leadership and service to the community, state, and profession. (Source: RT Faculty Program Planning documents, 2009-2010)
See the specific goals of our Recreational Therapy degree program.Apply to the Recreational Therapy B.S. degree program
