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.

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Therapeutic Recreation major Nico Mercadante trained to be a recreational therapist at Kean. — 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.*

What You Learn

In New Jersey's only Recreational Therapy degree program, you will gain practical skills that will prepare you to work in a variety of settings. Recreational therapy students will participate in hands on experiences through labs and multiple fieldwork experiences to enhance their skills leading to employment as a recreational therapist.

Recreational Therapy students will learn how to:

Conduct leisure and functional assessments to determine their clients strengths and areas in need of improvement
Plan, manage and administer recreation-based treatment interventions and programs for people with disabilities, injuries, illnesses or limitations
Assist clients in developing the ability to adapt to their disability supporting inclusion, independence and maximum engagement in leisure and community activities for overall health and wellness
Collaborate with other health professionals including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language therapists, behavioral health counselors, psychologists, social workers, teachers, physicians and others

Kean University’s Recreational Therapy program prepares you to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam administered by The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification; a requirement for being licensed as a Recreational Therapist in the State of New Jersey.

The Recreational Therapy program is offered at both the Kean Union and Kean Ocean campuses.

Faculty

Frances Stavola-Daly, Ed.D., Professor
Pamela Griffin, Lecturer

B.A. in Recreational Therapy

Study therapeutic and recreational theory and practice to enable individuals to improve function and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Recreational Therapy Curriculum

Minor in Recreational Therapy

Kean Ocean

Recreational Therapy Pre-Professional Program

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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."

Veronica Spinden '18

Allied Clinical Therapist

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.