North Carolina Central University
Department of Physical Education and Recreation

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Therapeutic recreation services contribute to the broad spectrum of health care through treatment (recreational therapy), education, and the provision of recreational opportunities-all of which are instrumental to improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, preventing secondary health conditions, enhancing independent living skills and the overall quality of life.
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What type of jobs can I expect to find if I earn a degree in Therapeutic Recreation?
With a degree in therapeutic recreation, you can work in a variety of agencies and organizations. The possibilities include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, community recreation centers, pediatric hospitals, group homes, senior centers, community mental health centers, public and private schools, correctional facilities and private practice.

Services are provided for individuals with a variety of disabilities, illnesses and chronic conditions. Individuals of all ages benefit from the services provided by therapeutic recreation specialists.
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What are the salary ranges I can expect with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation?
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) in entry level positions earn $26,000 to $34,000 depending upon location and agency.
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Is graduate school required before you can get a job?
Graduate school is not required for employment as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). However, with advanced degrees (master's degrees) Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) have greater earning power.
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Is there a national examination or certification required?
Yes. For more information on the process visit the National therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) web site.
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Do I need to be licensed?
Yes, most employers require that students be Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). The Therapeutic Recreation Program at North Carolina Central University prepares students for the certification exam. For more information on the certification process, visit the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) web site for certification information
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Is there an internship or field experience required, and if so, how many hours?
Yes! The internship (a practical work experience) at an approved site with an expert supervisor, is the culmination of study.  Students learn to perform various prefessional competencies as well as make valuable contacts for future employment. All internship sites are selected by both the student and their advisor so as to provide the student with an experience that reflects their professional ambition. Internships last 480 hours (twelve 40 hour weeks). 
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How long will it take to complete the program?
The Recreation Administration degree requires 128 credit hours, at 15-16 credits per semester students can complete the course work within four years.
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Is there any kind of career placement in the Dept. of Physical Education and Recreation?
Faculty of the department are committed to working one on one with students in their junior and
senior years to help them identify and contact potential employers. North Carolina Central          Univeristy also has a career placement and counseling service available at no cost to students.

Employment of therapeutic recreation specialists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 chiefly because of anticipated expansion in long - term care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there were approximately 38,000 positions in therapeutic recreation in1996. It is projected that positions will grow at the rate of 20 percent.
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What types of classes are required?

All NCCU students are required to take the following 41 credit hours of CFAS courses:
 

CFAS 1110	English Composition I
CFAS 1120	English Composition II
CFAS 1130	Elements of Speech
CFAS 11X0*	Foreign Language I
CFAS 11X1*	Foreign Language II
CFAS 1220	A Science Odyssey
CFAS 1230	Proficiency in Math
CFAS 1310	Society, Behavior, and Spacial Organization
CFAS 1320	World Societies
CFAS 1410	Arts & Humanities I
CFAS 1420	Arts & Humanities II
CFAS 1521	Dimensions of Learning
CFAS 1531	Health
CFAS 1541	Wellness

*CFAS Foreign Language: 
Student must take a total of 6 cr hrs of a foreign language from the following choices:
CFAS 1140/41 Elementary French I & II
CFAS 1150/51 Elementary Spanish I & II
CFAS 1160/61 Elementary German I & II
CFAS 1170/71 Elementary Japanese I & II

All Recreation Majors must take the Recreation Core Curriculum - Total 45 credit hours

PEDU 1100	Elementary Swimming
RECR 1000	Introduction to Recreation
RECR 2120	Recreation Leadership
RECR 3100	Organization and Administration  of Recreational Sports
RECR 3250	Non-Clinical Application of  Therapeutic Recreation
RECR 3245	Practicum in Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations
PEDU 3500	Emergency Care & Safety Techniques
PEDU 3640	Administration and Management of  Aquatic Programs & Facilities
RECR 4100	Supervision and Management of  Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations
RECR 4150	Recreation and Leisure  Services Programming
RECR 4270	Advanced Concepts in Recreation  and Leisure Studies
RECR 4600	Organization and Administration  Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations
RECR 4610	Finance in Recreation  and Leisure Service Organizations
RECR 4630	Internship in Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations
RECR 4900	Computer Application in  Recreation and Physical Education

Therapeutic Recreation Concentration Courses - Total 38 credit hours
 

PEDU 3000	Motor Learning
RECR 3120	Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
RECR 4140	Program Design and Evaluationin Therapeutic Recreation
PEDU 4500	Adapted Physical Education
BIOL 1610	Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 1620	Human Anatomy and Physiology II
ENG 2200 PEDU 4510	Introduction to Public Speaking or Beginning Sign Language
PSY 2100	General Psychology
PSY 3100	Abnormal Psychology
PSY 3310 or EDU 3010	Human Growth and Development
SOC 2100	Principles of Sociology
SOC	Sociology Elective

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