Graduates with this advanced degree will be able: 1) to demonstrate knowledge of systems and practices of therapeutic recreation directed at improving the health-related quality of life of persons with physical, psychological, and cognitive disabilities; 2) to demonstrate a sophisticated use of language in written and verbal communication with regard to intervention, assessment, and documentation of client/patient outcomes and professional interaction with interdisciplinary teams; 3) prepared to pass the state and national certification exams in order to practice in Texas as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas (TRS/TXC) governed by the Therapeutic Recreation Consortium of Texas and as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) governed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Employment Options

Recreational therapists work in nursing care facilities, residential and outpatient settings with the elderly or those who are physically disabled, or diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems. For those positions that involve teaching, research, consultation, supervision, and/or administration, a graduate degree in TR is typically preferred/required.

The Faculty

Members of the Recreation graduate faculty are national leaders in the field of Recreation Management and/or Therapeutic Recreation. They are the authors of numerous peer-reviewed publications and set the high standards for students in the graduate Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation Programs at Texas State University. These members include:

·   A minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hr of undergraduate coursework leading to a baccalaureate, or

·   Conditional Admission may be granted to applicants with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.74 on the last 60 hr of undergraduate course work.

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships. The Department of HPER annually awards competitive graduate assistantships to highly qualified individuals interested in serving as either research or teaching assistants. Selection is based on the graduate students’ academic background and professional experience. For more information, interested students should contact Stephen Awoniyi, Recreation Coordinator, at 512-245-1313 or sa11@txstate.edu.

Interim Degree Plan Spring 2009:

Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services major in Recreation and Leisure Services-Therapeutic Recreation

The proposed 36-hour degree program is as follows:

Curriculum

·         Required Courses (24 hours):

REC 5310 Philosophical Foundations in Recreation and Leisure Services

REC 5346 Literature & Research

REC 5337 Directed Study (Internship in TR)

REC 5318F Philosophical Foundations of TR

REC 5318G Advanced Practices and Interventions in TR

REC 5318H Advanced Assessment and Documentation in TR

REC 5318I Advanced Principles in TR

REC 5318J Advanced TR in Psychology 
 

·         Prescribed Elective Courses (12 Hours):

PSY 5310 Advanced Abnormal Psychology (can replace PSY 3315)

PSY 5331 The Emotional Problems of Childhood

SPED 5310 Selected Topics in Special Education

SPED 5325 Development Perspectives of the Mildly Disabled

SPED 5326 Educating Students with Mild Disabilities

SPED 5327 Educating Students with Mental Retardation and Other Severe Disabilities

SPED 5360 Survey of Exceptionality

SOCI 5316 Seminar in Deviation and Social Problems

SOCI 5337 Seminar in Family

SOCI 5343 Seminar in Criminology

SOCI 5363 Seminar in Medical Sociology

PE 5320 Kinesiology

PE 5311 Programming in Adapted Physical Education