May 12, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness, B.S.


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The Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

Upon successful completion of all college and certification requirements, graduates from both concentrations within the Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness program will be eligible to apply to take an examination to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the National Recreation and Park Association, and a Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) through the National Wellness Institute (NWI). Additionally, graduates with a Therapeutic Recreation concentration are eligible to apply to take a national exam to be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Therapeutic Recreation

The Therapeutic Recreation concentration prepares students for careers in health care and human service programs that serve individuals with disabilities, diagnoses, and/or other treatment related needs including age-related conditions (e.g., pediatric, geriatric), behavioral/mental health, substance addiction recovery, physical rehabilitation (e.g., acquired injuries), chronic illness, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, community inclusion, and adaptive sports and recreation. Examples of agencies that serve this clientele include hospitals, treatment centers, specialized schools/camps, inclusive public recreation, non-profit specialty agencies, and long-term care facilities. 

Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy

The Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration is designed for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness who intend to continue their studies in a Master of Occupational Therapy program. The curriculum provides the academic preparation required for eligibility to pursue certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and incorporates coursework that fulfills the typical prerequisites for graduate study in Occupational Therapy. Because prerequisite requirements differ among institutions, students are responsible for reviewing the specific admission criteria of their prospective graduate programs to ensure appropriate course planning.

Wellness Management

The Wellness Management concentration prepares students to work in a variety of recreation and wellness settings including outdoor recreation, youth development, and family-focused non-profit settings, armed forces MWR, corporate wellness, various fitness and wellness settings, and federal, state, and local public recreation and park agencies. 

Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness, B.S. Learning Outcomes  

Degree Requirements

Institutional Degree Requirements  

Program-Specific Degree Requirements: To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and Wellness must earn a 2.0 or higher in each of the major requirements.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundation Requirements


Communication course:


Choose 3 credits of the following Advanced Communication courses:


Quantitative Fluency course:


Choose 3 credits of the following American Citizenship courses:


Choose 3 credits of the following Global Citizenship courses or students have the option to complete this requirement by successfully completing 6 credits of the same foreign language:


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirements


Choose 3 credits of the following Humanities courses:


Choose 3 credits of the following Arts courses:


Social and Behavioral Sciences course:


Choose 3 credits of the following Natural and Physical Sciences courses:


Constellation Requirements


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements. Students who transfer in 60 credits or more at the time of admission to the college will be waived from the Constellation requirement, except for Education majors. The waiver applies to the requirement for graduation but does not waive the credits to graduate; students need to meet the overall bachelor’s degree credit requirement.

See Generation Next General Education Requirements  for more information.

Required Courses


General Elective Courses


Students in the Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration must take 5 credits of free electives. These electives may be used for additional prerequisites for Master’s programs in Occupational Therapy, such as Physics or Kinesiology.

Students in the Therapeutic Recreation or Wellness Management Concentrations must complete 17 credits of free elective courses. These students are encouraged to either elect a minor or target a substantial portion of their free electives to an area of personal or professional interest.

Suggested Course Sequence


Freshman Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Sophomore Year


Fall Semester (15-16 credits)


​Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:​

​Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration:​

Wellness Management Concentration:

Spring Semester (15 credits)


​Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:

  • Elective course 3 credit hours

​Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration:

 Wellness Management Concentration:

  • Elective course 3 credit hours

Junior Year


Spring Semester (15-16 credits)


  • Constellation course 3 credit hours

Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:

Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration:

​Wellness Management Concentration:

Senior Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


​Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:

  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

​Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration:

  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours

Wellness Management Concentration:

  • Wellness Management Concentration Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

Spring Semester (12-15 credits)


​Therapeutic Recreation Concentration:

​Therapeutic Recreation & Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration:

Wellness Management Concentration:

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