2021-2022 Catalog

Recreational Therapy Assistant A.A.S.

A45150

The recreational therapy assistant curriculum prepares individuals to plan, implement, and document therapeutic recreation interventions, according to national standards of practice. The curriculum emphasizes the use of recreation as treatment designed to (re)habilitate a client’s level of functioning and independence.

Coursework includes facilitating adaptive, inclusive and universal activities (ropes courses, creative arts, water sports, etc.) and leading or co-leading recreational therapy sessions (social skills, team building, problem solving, leisure education etc.) for people with disabilities and their families.

Graduates should qualify for a LRTA license from the North Carolina Board for Recreational Therapy Licensure. Employment opportunities include group homes, retirement facilities, agencies serving people with developmental disabilities, psychiatric or mental health agencies, and other rehabilitation facilities. Students should consult their advisor for information about course scheduling.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  • Utilize systematic procedures for collection of patient/client information
  • Identify activities and activity adaptations that may be included in the individual treatment plan
  • Plan and implement group and individual recreational therapy
  • Observe response to activity/intervention and clearly report observations in written form
  • Work effectively and appropriately with others through collaboration and teamwork 

Admission Policy

Program Information

Clinical facilities may require students to submit a physical and emotional health form. Students must submit a completed criminal background check and drug screen to the clinical facility for approval to participate in clinical training in the facility. If a clinical facility denies admission to a student for any reason, the student will not be able to complete the program.

General Education

Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
BIO 163Basic Anatomy & Physiology

5

FA, SP
ENG 111Writing and Inquiry

3

FA, SP, SU
PSY 150General Psychology

3

FA, SP, SU

Communications

Select 6 semester hours credit from the following

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
COM 110Introduction to Communication

3

FA, SP
COM 120Intro Interpersonal Com

3

COM 231Public Speaking

3

FA, SP, SU
ENG 114Prof Research & Reporting

3

FA, SP, SU

Humanities/Fine Arts

Select 3 semester hours credit from the following

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
ART 111Art Appreciation

3

FA, SP, SU
DRA 111Theatre Appreciation

3

FA, SP, SU
DRA 126Storytelling

3

FA, SP, SU
MUS 110Music Appreciation

3

FA, SP
PHI 240Introduction to Ethics

3

FA, SP, SU
REL 110World Religions

3

FA, SP

Major Courses

Core Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
TRE 110Intro to Recreational Therapy

3

SP
TRE 111Leisure Education

3

SP
TRE 112Inclusive Programming

3

FA
TRE 120Adapted Activities

2

SP
TRE 171Social Skills Lab

1

SP
TRE 172Team Building Lab

2

FA
TRE 210Rec Therapy Programming

3

FA
TRE 211Recreational Therapy Prof

3

FA
TRE 220Initiatives/Challenge Course

2

FA
TRE 288Rec Ther Internship III

8

SP

Other Major Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
MED 120Survey of Medical Terminology

2

FA, SP
PSY 241Developmental Psychology

3

FA, SP, SU
PSY 281Abnormal Psychology

3

FA, SP, SU
TRE 121Creative Expressive Arts I

2

FA
TRE 122Activity Coordinator

4

FA
TRE 170Recreational Therapy Psych Lab

1

FA
TRE 173Community Integration Lab

1

FA
TRE 270Intellectual Dev Dis Lab

1

FA
TRE 271Rec Therapy Geriatrics Lab

1

SP
TRE 282Rec Ther Internship III Superv

1

SP

Physical Education Elective

Select 2 semester hours credit from the following courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
PED XXXPick from all PED courses

2

Total Credit Hours: 71