Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy colleges in the U.S. 2024

Recreational therapists predominantly work in state, local, and private hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities. They are compassionate and patient people who work with individuals who have varying illnesses and diseases. Recreational therapists record and analyze a patient's progress, assess a patient's needs through observation and medical records, and work with other health care professionals to establish treatment plans. They reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and promote restoration and rehabilitation through the usage of arts and crafts, games, sports, and dance and movement.

Optional, though highly recommended by several employers, is the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification's offering, the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential to candidates who pass a written exam and complete a supervised internship. There are also specialty certifications NCTRC offers in geriatrics, community inclusion services, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. An individual who has a degree and certification?especially in a specialization?tends to have better job prospects. Some states also require licensure, so check with the state in which you intend to practice.

Typically, students earn their bachelor's degrees in therapeutic recreation to get into the field, but associate or graduate degrees are also available. Human behavior, health, psychology, anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic modalities are common courses students will take to prepare them for a career as a recreational therapist.

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Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy colleges in the U.S. for 2024

University of South Alabama offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city.

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 6 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 6 Bachelor's degrees.

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Prescott College
Prescott, AZ

Prescott College offers 4 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 6 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 6 Certificates.

City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College of San Francisco offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city.

Manchester Community College offers 2 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 6 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 4 Associate's degrees, and 2 Certificates.

Middlesex Community College offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a small city. In 2022, 2 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 2 Certificates.

Northwestern Connecticut Community College offers 2 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying town. In 2022, 5 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 5 Certificates.

Gateway Community College offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2022, 4 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 4 Certificates.

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Nova Southeastern University offers 2 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb.

Brigham Young University-Idaho offers 1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2022, 43 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students graduated with students earning 43 Bachelor's degrees.

List of all Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy colleges in the U.S.

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Sinclair Community College Logo Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
2/5
56 : 1 17,591
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Logo Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ
3/5
24 : 1 80,065
Genesee Community College Logo Genesee Community College Batavia, NY
2/5
63 : 1 4,323
Edmonds College Logo Edmonds College Lynnwood, WA
2/5
55 : 1 5,753
University of Southern Maine Logo University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
3/5
27 : 1 7,583