Recreational Therapy

In New Jersey's only Recreational Therapy program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to work with individuals with disabilities, illnesses, injuries or limitations so that they can participate in life activities. Recreational therapists may work with a wide range of individuals including adults and children with physical disabilities, behavioral health disorders, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the geriatric population.

Kean recreational therapy majors learn how to plan, manage and administer recreation-based treatment interventions. Our graduates are employed by in-patient hospitals, physical rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health facilities, substance abuse centers, long-term and residential care facilities, adult day programs, community-based programs, schools and camps, and in private practice.

Recreational therapy graduates also pursue advanced degrees in recreational therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health professions. Faculty advisers provide guidance in the completion of the prerequisites for these graduate school programs.

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Therapeutic Recreation major Nico Mercadante trained to be a recreational therapist at Kean. — Senior therapeutic recreation major Nico Mercadante plays on Kean's men's volleyball team.

What You Learn

In New Jersey's only Recreational Therapy degree program, you will gain practical skills that will prepare you to work in a variety of settings.

Recreational Therapy students will learn how to:

Conduct leisure and functional assessments to determine their clients' strengths and areas in need of improvement
Plan, manage and administer recreation-based treatment interventions and programs
Participate in hands-on experiences through labs and multiple fieldwork experiences
Assist clients in developing the ability to adapt to their disability for overall health and wellness
Collaborate with other health professionals including therapists, behavioral health counselors and physicians as well as with psychologists, social workers and teachers

Kean University’s Recreational Therapy program prepares you to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam administered by The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification; a requirement for being licensed as a Recreational Therapist in the State of New Jersey.

The Recreational Therapy program is offered at both the Kean Union and Kean Ocean campuses.

Faculty

Frances Stavola-Daly, Ed.D., Professor

B.A. in Recreational Therapy

Study therapeutic and recreational theory and practice to enable individuals to improve function and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Recreational Therapy Curriculum

Minor in Recreational Therapy

Kean Ocean

Recreational Therapy Pre-Professional Program

The Recreational Therapy Pre-professional Program is for those students who have an undergraduate degree in another field but want to pursue certification as a Recreational Therapist through the National Council for Therapeutic Certification (NCTRC). The Program offers the student the ability to fulfill the academic requirements for certification including 18 credits of core requirements. Students must apply to the program, must have a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and must submit transcripts from all institutions attended. For more information contact Jill Kellett at jkellett@kean.edu. Please note that this program meets only the core recreational therapy requirements for NCTRC Certification. For information on all the certification requirements go to www.nctrc.org.

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My field experience allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to the workplace, which gave me an advantage when applying for jobs. I'm currently working at the same place where I completed my senior internship."

Veronica Spinden

Allied Clinical Therapist

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At Kean, we believe learning extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms and labs. That's why we encourage you to live on campus, study abroad and pursue internships that will advance your career. Find out more.