Recreational Therapist Schools

California State University, Long Beach

• The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies of the California State University at Long Beach offers a therapeutic recreation certificate program. The program requires a bachelor's degree, which can be awarded concurrently with the certificate through the bachelor of arts in recreation program. You are also eligible for the certificate if you have already earned a bachelor's degree in recreation elsewhere. The certificate program prepares you for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam and the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification exam which are often required for employment in the recreational therapy field. The program consists of 37 semester units. Tuition is $5,008 per year as of May 2010.

  California State University, Long Beach
  1250 Bellflower Boulevard
  Long Beach, California 90840
  562-985-4071
  csulb.edu

SUNY: The College at Brockport

• The State University of New York's College at Brockport offers a therapeutic recreation emphasis as part of its recreation and leisure studies bachelor's degree program. The recreational therapy emphasis is consistent with the standards set by the National Therapeutic Recreation Society and will prepare you for the NCTRC certification exam. The coursework consists of 15 credits through 5 classes, including: Introduction to, Leisure Education in, and Methods of Therapeutic Recreation. Brockport also offers a graduate level recreational therapy concentration as part of its master of science in recreation and leisure program. In 2010, annual tuition at Brockport is $4,470 for New York residents and $12,870 for out-of-state residents at the undergraduate level and $8,370 and $13,250 at the graduate level.

  The College at Brockport
  350 New Campus Drive
  Brockport, NY 14420
  585-395-2796
  brockport.edu

Ashland University

• The Sport Science Department in the College of Education and Related Professions at Ashland University in Ashland, OH offers a therapeutic recreation bachelor's program. The program will prepare you for the NCTRC certification exam and will suit you with the skills and experience necessary for a career as a recreation therapist. The Ashland University website reports that its program prepares graduates for work in a wide variety of circumstances including senior centers, mental health agencies, vocational training centers and outdoor settings. Tuition at Ashland University is $13,283 per semester as of May 2010.

  Ashland University
  401 College Avenue
  Ashland, OH 44805
  419-289-4142
  ashland.edu