BS in Recreation Therapy

Units required for Major: 70-71
Total units required for BS: 120

Program Description

The BS in Recreation Therapy focuses on recreation services for individuals who are ill, disabled, elderly, or incarcerated. It can be applied in clinical, transitional, and community based settings. Emphasis is on therapeutic recreation as it applies to children and adults who are physically, mentally, socially, and/or emotionally challenged.

Note:

  • Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Therapy will not be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.
  • No more than 6 units of RPTA 198 and RPTA 199 in combination may be used to meet program requirements. No more than 3 units of RPTA 198 may be used to meet major requirements.
  • RPTA 21, RPTA 100 and RPTA 122 may not be used to meet program requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Grade of "C-" or better is required in all courses applied to the major. 

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses (10 Units)
RPTA 1Orientation to Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration1
RPTA 30Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Contemporary Society3
RPTA 32Leadership and Group Development3
RPTA 42Recreation and Parks: Natural, Cultural, and Heritage Resources3
Required Upper Division Courses (42-43 Units)
RPTA 102Recreation Therapy Professional Practice1
RPTA 105Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
RPTA 106Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy3
RPTA 110Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
RPTA 115Recreation Therapy Assessment and Documentation3
RPTA 116Recreation Therapy Principles and Practices and the Recreation Therapy Process3
RPTA 117Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability3
RPTA 118Recreation Therapy Facilitation Techniques3
RPTA 119Recreation Therapy Management and Advancement of the Profession3
RPTA 136Program and Event Planning in Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
RPTA 195DRecreation Therapy Internship14 - 15
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework (18 Units)
Select 18 units 118
Total Units70-71
1

Supportive coursework units selected in consultation with a major advisor, including at least 3 units each in

  1. Abnormal Psychology, Life span Human Development, and Human Anatomy/Human Physiology;
  2. 9 units of Human Service Classes, as defined by NCTRC.

Advisor approval required to assure compliance with certification requirements.

General Education Requirements 

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development
Area E Course0
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units46

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Recreation Therapy, BS: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
RPTA 1 Orientation to Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration 1
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
RPTA 30 Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Contemporary Society 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework: GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3 3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
RPTA 32 Leadership and Group Development 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units16
Second Semester
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
RPTA 42 Recreation and Parks: Natural, Cultural, and Heritage Resources 3
RPTA 106 Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units15
Year 3
First Semester
RPTA 105 Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
RPTA 116 Recreation Therapy Principles and Practices and the Recreation Therapy Process 3
RPTA 117 Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
 Units15
Second Semester
RPTA 110 Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
RPTA 115 Recreation Therapy Assessment and Documentation 3
RPTA 118 Recreation Therapy Facilitation Techniques 3
RPTA 136 Program and Event Planning in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
 Units15
Year 4
First Semester
RPTA 102 Recreation Therapy Professional Practice 1
RPTA 119 Recreation Therapy Management and Advancement of the Profession 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
RPTA 195D Recreation Therapy Internship 10 - 15
Elective of Choice 3
 Units13-18
 Total Units121-126

Recreation Therapy, BS: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
RPTA 105 Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
RPTA 106 Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy 3
RPTA 116 Recreation Therapy Principles and Practices and the Recreation Therapy Process 3
RPTA 117 Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
 Units18
Second Semester
RPTA 110 Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
RPTA 115 Recreation Therapy Assessment and Documentation 3
RPTA 118 Recreation Therapy Facilitation Techniques 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 3
 Units18
Year 2
First Semester
RPTA 102 Recreation Therapy Professional Practice 1
RPTA 119 Recreation Therapy Management and Advancement of the Profession 3
RPTA 136 Program and Event Planning in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 3
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
 Units16
Second Semester
RPTA 195D Recreation Therapy Internship 10 - 15
Recreation Therapy Non-RPTA Supportive Coursework 3 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units16-21
 Total Units68-73
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.