Undergraduate Academic Programs

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Recreation (BSR), Therapeutic Recreation Major

Description of Program

The option of therapeutic recreation prepares students to assume positions as recreation therapy specialists. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings, therapists treat and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients. Professionals assess individuals' needs, plan and implement specific interventions to meet those needs, and document and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. All students graduating from the major are eligible to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) examination.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Recreation degree with a major in therapeutic recreation  will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the therapeutic recreation program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

  • The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
  • The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation as an therapeutic recreation major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

  • The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
  • The student must have a minimum 2.3 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in therapeutic recreation to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status.

International transfer applicants to the School of HPER, whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper- based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test, is required for direct admission to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. For students from countries where the TOEFL is not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take the Indiana University English language examination before registering for course work. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of test results.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering.  Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section.  There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity.  

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements.  If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency.  If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country.  In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to the degree, Bachelor of Science in Recreation with a major in therapeutic recreation. The therapeutic recreation program prepares students to assume positions as recreation therapy specialists. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings, therapists treat and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients. Professionals assess individuals' needs, plan and implement specific interventions to meet those needs, and document and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. All students graduating from the major are eligible to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) examination. A minimum of 26 successfully completed credit hours and a minimum 2.3 cumulative grade point average (GPA) are required for admission to this program.  Graduation requirements include:

  • completion of general education requirements.
  • completion of therapeutic recreation major requirements.
  • a minimum of 124 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses with the following department code-prefixes: HPER-R and HPER-L. 
  • No Pass/Fail except for free electives.
General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students at IU Bloomington in or after the summer term of 2011 must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2011-2012 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students on the IU Bloomington campus in the summer or fall terms of 2010, or the spring term of 2011, must complete the School of HPER general education requirements which are described below. Unlike the 2011-2112 Bloomington campus-wide general education requirements, the 2010 School of HPER general education requirements do not include a residency requirement, nor do they restrict the use of extended-term, independent study or correspondence courses.

2010 School of HPER General Education Requirements

English Composition (0 to 3 credits required, C- minimum required in the course used to satisfy this requirement)
Complete one of the following options:

  • CMCL-C 110 Writing the World (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W 170 Introduction to Argumentative Writing: Projects in Reading and Writing (3 cr. - this topic only)
  • ENG-W 131 EX Elementary Composition by Examination (0 cr.)

Mathematical Modeling (3 to 4 credits required)
Complete one of the following options:

  • MATH-A 118 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
  • MATH-D 116 AND MATH-D 117 Introduction to Finite Mathematics I-II (4 cr.)
  • MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-S 118 Honors Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
  • MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite and Consumer Mathematics (3 cr.)
  • MATH-J 113 Introduction to Calculus with Applications (3 cr.)
  • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus 1 (3 cr.)
  • MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.)
  • MATH-M 213 Accelerated Calculus (4 cr.)

Note: The course(s) used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be applied to the natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

Natural and Mathematical Sciences (5 to 6 cr.)

Complete either six credits of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses, or a single, approved, five-credit N&M course with a substantial laboratory component. The course used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be used to fulfill this requirement. Visit the list of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses for choices and more information.

Arts and Humanities (6 credits required)
Complete six credits of acceptable arts and humanities (A&H) courses.

Social and Historical Studies (6 credits required.)
Complete six credits of acceptable social and historical studies (S&H) courses.

World Languages and Cultures (0 to 14 cr., most commonly 6 credits)
There are three options for completion of the world languages and cultures requirement.

Major (87-90 cr.)

Professional Recreation Requirement (33 cr.)
(A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in the following courses.)
Complete each of the following courses:

  • HPER-R 160 Foundations of Recreation and Leisure (3 cr.) +(S&H)
  • HPER-R 270 Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 272 Recreation Activity Leadership Methods (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 301 Preparation for Internship (1 cr.)
  • HPER-R 340 Leisure in Modern Society (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 363 Professional Internship (14 cr.)
  • HPER-R 390 Statistical Applications in Leisure Studies (3 cr.) or ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics (3 cr.) or MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or PSY-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or SOC-S 371 Statistics for Sociology or SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 490 Research and Evaluation (3 cr.)

Therapeutic Recreation Specialization Requirement (54-57 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

  • HPER-R 277 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 279 Outdoor Adventure Education (2 cr.)
  • HPER-R 362 Therapeutic Communication (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 378 Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr.) (minimum grade of C)
  • HPER-R 379 Clinical Practice in Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr.) (minimum grade of C)
  • HPER-R 402 Senior Seminar (1 cr.)
  • HPER-R 462 Organization and Management of Therapeutic Recreation Programs (3 cr.)
  • HPER-R 479 Trends and Issues in Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr.)
  • HPER-P 398 Adapted Physical Education (3 cr.)
  • ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +(N&M) or HPER-P 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (2 cr.)
  • PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology (5 cr.) +(N&M)
  • PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology (3 cr.) or HPER-F 150 Introduction to Life Span Human Development (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
  • PSY-P 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3 cr.) +(S&H)
  • PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
  • SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +(S&H)
  • Sociology elective (any 3 cr. sociology course or PSY-P 304 Social Psychology of Individual Difference (3 cr.)
  • Therapeutic intervention elective (2-3 cr.) Consult with academic advisor.

+ Courses followed by a N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Special Opportunities

The major in therapeutic recreation provides students with opportunities for direct experience with clients with disabilities through local agencies. Through class practica, projects, internship opportunities, and field experiences, students learn intervention planning, therapeutic communication skills, service planning, and intervention techniques. The Therapeutic Recreation Club is a student club that promotes the professional development and growth of its majors. Students in both undergraduate and graduate programs have opportunities to participate in faculty research.

Careers

Graduates with a B.S. assume positions in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, community settings, residential programs, school settings, adult day care facilities, chemical dependency units, partial hospitalization programs, and others. The largest area of employment is in psychiatric/behavioral health settings, followed by geriatric settings, physical rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities.

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