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What colleges would be good for me to pursue if I desire to be a recreational therapist ?
I am a current junior attending high school in manhattan. I prioritize my studies and desire to keep my grades up to succeed.
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Brandie’s Answer
If you're interested in becoming a recreational therapist, you'll want to look for colleges that offer accredited programs in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy. Accredited programs ensure that the education you receive meets industry standards and can prepare you for certification and professional practice.
Here are some steps to help you find a good college for recreational therapy:
1. **Accreditation**: Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
2. **Certification Preparation**: Choose a program that prepares you for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam, which is the primary certification for recreational therapists in the United States.
3. **Curriculum**: Review the curriculum to ensure it covers areas such as assessment, treatment planning, intervention, documentation, and evaluation of recreational therapy services.
4. **Clinical Experience**: Look for programs that offer hands-on experience through internships, practicums, or fieldwork. This real-world training is crucial for developing practical skills.
5. **Faculty Expertise**: Research the qualifications and backgrounds of the faculty members. Having experienced instructors with strong connections in the field can be beneficial.
6. **Job Placement**: Investigate the program's job placement rates and whether the school has a strong network for career opportunities.
7. **Facilities**: Check if the college has the necessary facilities and resources to support your learning, such as access to therapeutic recreation equipment and spaces.
8. **Student Support**: Consider the support services available to students, including academic advising, career services, and any student organizations related to recreational therapy.
9. **Location**: Think about whether you prefer to study in a particular region and if the location might offer internship opportunities in settings you're interested in, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or community organizations.
10. **Cost and Financial Aid**: Evaluate the cost of the program and what financial aid options are available, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.
Here are a few universities known for their recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation programs:
- Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
- Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
Remember to visit campuses if possible, talk to current students or alumni, and reach out to program advisors to get a better sense of each school's offerings. Your choice should align with your career goals, learning preferences, and personal circumstances.
Here are some steps to help you find a good college for recreational therapy:
1. **Accreditation**: Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
2. **Certification Preparation**: Choose a program that prepares you for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam, which is the primary certification for recreational therapists in the United States.
3. **Curriculum**: Review the curriculum to ensure it covers areas such as assessment, treatment planning, intervention, documentation, and evaluation of recreational therapy services.
4. **Clinical Experience**: Look for programs that offer hands-on experience through internships, practicums, or fieldwork. This real-world training is crucial for developing practical skills.
5. **Faculty Expertise**: Research the qualifications and backgrounds of the faculty members. Having experienced instructors with strong connections in the field can be beneficial.
6. **Job Placement**: Investigate the program's job placement rates and whether the school has a strong network for career opportunities.
7. **Facilities**: Check if the college has the necessary facilities and resources to support your learning, such as access to therapeutic recreation equipment and spaces.
8. **Student Support**: Consider the support services available to students, including academic advising, career services, and any student organizations related to recreational therapy.
9. **Location**: Think about whether you prefer to study in a particular region and if the location might offer internship opportunities in settings you're interested in, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or community organizations.
10. **Cost and Financial Aid**: Evaluate the cost of the program and what financial aid options are available, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.
Here are a few universities known for their recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation programs:
- Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
- Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
Remember to visit campuses if possible, talk to current students or alumni, and reach out to program advisors to get a better sense of each school's offerings. Your choice should align with your career goals, learning preferences, and personal circumstances.
Updated
Faleisha’s Answer
Hello Justin,
That is great to hear that you are a junior at a high school in Manhattan and considering becoming a recreation therapist! As a professional that has not only graduated college with both an Associates and a Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation, but has worked in the field for almost four years now, I'd be more than happy to answer this question for you!
Being that you attend school in Manhattan is already a great advantage especially if you plan on attending a college here in the city. If you are looking to go to a community college, first, to obtain your Associates degree in Therapeutic Recreation (TR), I would suggest attending CUNY Bronx Community College which is where I obtained my Associates degree in TR. However, if you would like to go directly to a senior college after high school then I would suggest attending CUNY Lehman College which is the same college I obtained my Bachelors degree in TR. Lehman College is also a well known and high ranking college for those interested in pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. It is also highly reputable in the recreation field. Many graduates in TR come from Lehman College. I am also aware of LaGuardia Community College in Queens via former classmates who went there and obtained their Associates degree in TR. But I do not know how far you are willing to travel for your college education. Both Lehman and Bronx Community College are located in the Bronx so that may be a better commute for you. And if you are interested in attending a college out of the city or out of state you can do research to see what other colleges have TR majors. But as far as colleges in the city, these are the top three that I am aware of.
I hope that answers your question, Justin. And please feel free to ask any other questions pertaining to Recreation Therapy and the TR field!
Best,
Faleisha
That is great to hear that you are a junior at a high school in Manhattan and considering becoming a recreation therapist! As a professional that has not only graduated college with both an Associates and a Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation, but has worked in the field for almost four years now, I'd be more than happy to answer this question for you!
Being that you attend school in Manhattan is already a great advantage especially if you plan on attending a college here in the city. If you are looking to go to a community college, first, to obtain your Associates degree in Therapeutic Recreation (TR), I would suggest attending CUNY Bronx Community College which is where I obtained my Associates degree in TR. However, if you would like to go directly to a senior college after high school then I would suggest attending CUNY Lehman College which is the same college I obtained my Bachelors degree in TR. Lehman College is also a well known and high ranking college for those interested in pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. It is also highly reputable in the recreation field. Many graduates in TR come from Lehman College. I am also aware of LaGuardia Community College in Queens via former classmates who went there and obtained their Associates degree in TR. But I do not know how far you are willing to travel for your college education. Both Lehman and Bronx Community College are located in the Bronx so that may be a better commute for you. And if you are interested in attending a college out of the city or out of state you can do research to see what other colleges have TR majors. But as far as colleges in the city, these are the top three that I am aware of.
I hope that answers your question, Justin. And please feel free to ask any other questions pertaining to Recreation Therapy and the TR field!
Best,
Faleisha