Recreational Therapy
Recreation therapists help people live their best lives.
The Recreational Therapy program prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities, illnesses, injuries and other limitations so that they can participate in life activities to their greatest potential. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to assess clients and develop and implement purposeful intervention plans.
Recreational therapists utilize a wide variety of activity and community based interventions to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs of their clients, helping them to optimize their health and wellness leading to an improved quality of life.
Recreational therapists may work with a wide range of individuals requiring health services including adults and children with physical disabilities, behavioral health disorders, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the geriatric population.
Kean Recreational Therapy graduates are employed by in-patient hospitals, physical rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health facilities, substance abuse centers, long-term and residential care facilities, adult day programs, community-based programs, schools and camps, and in private practice.
Graduates of the Recreational Therapy program frequently go onto graduate school in pursuit of advanced degrees in recreational therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other health professions. Faculty advisers provide guidance in completion of the prerequisites for graduate school within the four year program.

Senior therapeutic recreation major Nico Mercadante plays on Kean's men's volleyball team.
Recreational Therapy Pre-Professional Program
The Recreational Therapy Pre-professional Program is for those students who have an undergraduate degree in another field but want to pursue certification as a Recreational Therapist through the National Council for Therapeutic Certification (NCTRC). The Program offers the student the ability to fulfill the academic requirements for certification including 18 credits of core requirements. Students must apply to the program through the admissions process, must have a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and must submit transcripts from all institutions attended. For more information contact Professor Griffin at pgriffin@kean.edu. Please note that this program meets only the core recreational therapy requirements for NCTRC Certification. For information on all the certification requirements go to www.nctrc.org.
Other programs you might be interested in
The Classroom and Beyond
At Kean, we believe learning extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms and labs. That's why we encourage you to get involved in clubs and organizations, study abroad at our campus in China or elsewhere and pursue internships that will advance your career. Find out more.

My field experience allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to the workplace, which gave me an advantage when applying for jobs. I'm currently working at the same place where I completed my senior internship."

After Kean
Recreation therapists have meaningful careers in a variety of settings, helping people maximize independence and engagement in life and leisure as:
- Recreation or activity therapists
- Therapeutic recreation directors
- Mental health specialists
- Youth development counselors
- Inclusion specialists
- Life enrichment coordinators
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NCAA Division III Varsity Sports
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Average class size at Kean

Accreditation
Since 1955, Kean’s College of Education has earned accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Notably, only one-third of the schools that produce teachers in the United States and New Jersey earn this accreditation.
CAEP advances equity and excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.

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