All students wishing to declare recreation therapy must adhere to the Recreation Therapy Program Admission Procedure which includes completion of at least 45 credit hours of college/university credit, and timely submission of (a) the Recreation Therapy Application form, (b) an essay explaining why they want to major in recreation therapy, (c) signed Recreation Therapy Technical Standards; and (d) an interview with a recreation therapy faculty member (see Application Form).
Minimum criteria for acceptance into the program will include:
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- 45 earned credit hours prior to beginning the RTH program
- successful completion of EXS 216/217 or BIO 240/241, or transfer equivalency (EXS 217 or BIO 241 can be in progress); and
- a minimum of 50 hours experience working or volunteering with individuals with disabilities, disabling conditions or illnesses.
Completed applications includes (a) essay, (b) signed technical standards, and (c) current degree audit must be submitted by Feb. 15th for priority consideration for fall admission, and Sept. 15th priority consideration for spring admission. After the priority deadlines, applications will be reviewed if there is space available.
The top applicants will be admitted to the Recreation Therapy Program each fall and spring semester. Each student’s application packet will be evaluated based on the following 100 point scale to determine admission:
- Essay: 50% (see Essay and Interview Guidelines document)
- Interview: 40% (see Essay and Interview Guidelines document)
- Documented Experience: 10% (25 hours = 5%; 50+ hours = 10%) (Documentation should be from site/agency or employer and include name, address, and phone number or email address of person verifying hours.)
Students who are not admitted may reapply following the procedures outlined above.