These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Recreational Therapy is awarded to students upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 121 semester hours of credit with a minimum GPA of 2.00 overall and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for classes in the major. Students completing this degree are eligible to sit for the national credentialing examination for recreational therapists.
Summary of Requirements
University Requirements
- All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum. Please note that the University GenEd curriculum has specific rules regarding the completion of this university requirement (for example, the number of courses a student may take in one department to satisfy GenEd Requirements), so careful review of the GenEd section of this Bulletin is encouraged.
- MATH 0701 (4 credits) and/or ENG 0701 (4 credits), if required by placement testing.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. Writing Intensive classes in Recreational Therapy include:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours RCTH 3096 Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy 3 RCTH 4196 Recreational Therapy Clinical Procedures 3 - Students are also encouraged to review university requirements for successful progression through their academic careers. Knowledge of course repeat policies, including the withdrawal policy, academic standing, and rules on taking courses elsewhere can be found in the Academic Policies section of this Bulletin.
College Requirement
All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core Course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.
Clearance Requirements
Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in-person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements. Visit Student Health Services for more information on Prematriculation Requirements.
All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents is required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.
Students who attend CPH programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprinting is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.
The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.
In addition to the above, students attending the Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification for Healthcare Professionals.
Recreational Therapy Program Requirements
Students must complete a set of specific courses in the major, including Health Related Professions Core, Cognate Core, Recreational Therapy major courses, and two credit-earning field-based clinical internships (RCTH 3185 and RCTH 4185). Students must also complete other non-credit earning requirements as part of the major, including 70 hours of professional development / volunteer experiences relevant to the major, criminal and child abuse clearances, health immunization and physical documentation, and certification in First-Aid/CPR.
All Recreational Therapy courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Health Related Professions Core 1 | ||
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| Cognate Core 1 | ||
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| or PSY 1003 | Statistics for Psychology | |
| or SOC 1167 | Social Statistics | |
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 2 | 3-4 |
| or KINS 1221 | Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2 | 3-4 |
| or KINS 1222 | Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| KINS 2204 | Motor Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2201 | Foundations of Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 2301 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Lower-Division Recreational Therapy Coursework | ||
| RCTH 1102 | Inclusive Recreation and Sports Services | 3 |
| RCTH 2103 | Foundations of Recreational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| Upper-Division Recreational Therapy Coursework | ||
| RCTH 2104 | Recreational Therapy Modalities | 3 |
| RCTH 3096 | Assessment and Documentation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 3111 | Health Promotion through Leisure Education | 3 |
| RCTH 3801 | Physical and Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| RCTH 3802 | Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| RCTH 4102 | Research and Evaluation in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4103 | Professional Issues in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4111 | Administration of Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4196 | Recreational Therapy Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| Internship Experience | ||
| RCTH 3185 | Internship I in Recreational Therapy | 3 |
| RCTH 4185 | Internship II in Recreational Therapy | 12 |
| Recreational Therapy Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
RCTH 2203 | Assistive Technology in Recreation | |
RCTH 2205 | Adventure Challenge/Programming | |
RCTH 3201 | Health, Activity, and Aging | |
RCTH 4213 | Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Children's Health | |
| Total Credit Hours | 81-83 | |
- 1
Students must successfully pass all Health Related Professions courses and Cognate Core courses with a minimum grade of C. Students not demonstrating the ability to meet this academic requirement will not be permitted to progress to the upper-division Recreational Therapy Core and related electives in the curriculum.
- 2
Students should consult with their advisor for information on the distinctions between Anatomy and Physiology selection sequence and its implication for the degree and career goals. Satisfactory completion of KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 sequence or KINS 1223 and KINS 1224 sequence will meet the two-course GenEd Science and Technology requirement. The courses are similar, but not interchangeable, and must be taken in the correct sequence. Students choosing the KINS 1221 and KINS 1222 sequence may need to take an additional 2-credit elective to meet the minimum 121 credit hour degree requirement. Please see a departmental advisor for clarification.