Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Recreation and Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation Concentration, B.S.


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The purpose of therapeutic recreation is to promote development of functional independence and to facilitate development, maintenance, and expression of an appropriate leisure lifestyle for persons with mental, physical, emotional, or social limitations. Accordingly, this purpose is accomplished through provision of educational and participatory services in both treatment and non-treatment settings. These services assist clientele in eliminating barriers to leisure, developing leisure skills and attitudes that meet their needs, and optimizing their leisure involvement. Therapeutic recreation professionals use leisure and recreation to enhance each client’s health status and leisure lifestyle, both of which are imperative to the development of human potential.

Upon completion of the degree requirements, the student may seek employment as a recreation therapist, recreation staff in a variety of municipal or nonprofit environments, activity coordinator, or recreation generalist. Students who complete internships under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist will be eligible to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification examination.

Program Requirements


Students will graduate with a BS in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation when the following requirements are satisfied:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • Completion of all University Core Curriculum requirements.
  • Completion of all therapeutic recreation required core and major coursework with minimum grades of C-. Students receiving a grade below C- will not be allowed to sequence into post-requisite coursework until the prerequisite deficiency has been rectified.
  • Completion of 120 credits.

University Core Courses (32.5 credits)


Recreation and Leisure Studies Approved Elective Courses (9 credits)


Students have the option to select electives from their declared minor and should consult with their faculty advisor.

Recreation and Leisure Studies General Electives


Students should consult with their advisor to determine if electives are needed to complete the 120-credit minimum graduation requirement. Elective courses require advisor approval.

Students wishing to pursue a Holistic and Integrative Health minor should consult with their faculty advisor in Recreation and Leisure Studies.

USM Core Requirements


The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.

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