Dec 10, 2024  
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Therapeutic Recreation Services Home Page

Therapeutic Recreation Services



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(130 semester hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Springfield College has been preparing recreation and leisure professionals for almost fifty years, recognizing the contribution which recreation experiences make to the quality of life. Leadership, management, and program skills are the focus of the curriculum, which is accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association.

The therapeutic recreation services major is an accredited professional program which prepares students to be certified as therapeutic recreation specialists. Graduates plan, develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services in clinical and non-clinical settings. The program explores the use of recreation services to improve or maintain physical, mental, emotional, and/or social functioning and to assist individuals to achieve and sustain self-reliant, high-quality leisure lifestyles. Employment opportunities within the therapeutic recreation profession include:

  • hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities
  • rehabilitation centers
  • mental health and substance abuse agencies
  • correctional facilities
  • senior citizen centers
  • camps and outdoor recreation settings
  • sheltered workshops and vocational training centers
  • schools

Therapeutic recreation services majors can complete the optional child life specialization (requires 10 additional s.h.).

For more information about the therapeutic recreation services major, contact Dr. Matthew J. Pantera, chairperson of the Sport Management and Recreation Department, at (413) 748-3693 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.


Download a Therapeutic Recreation Services Program Checksheet


CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS


I. General Education Program (33 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)


To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Departmental Core Requirements (55 s.h.)


The recreation faculty and National Recreation and Parks Association adjust the core and additional requirements from time to time in order to reflect trends and the most current accreditation standards.

IV. Optional Specialization in Child Life (10 s.h.)


V. Program and Advanced Standing Requirements


Therapeutic Recreation majors must qualify for advanced standing in order to register for the third and fourth year sequences of required courses (including Pre-Practicum and Internship).To qualify for advanced standing, the student must meet the following standards by the conclusion of his or her sophomore year.

  1. The student’s overall cumulative grade point index must meet or exceed a 2.50 GPA.
  2. Proper professional and responsible behavior is expected of each therapeutic recreation student. This includes behavior while a student (on- and off-campus) and as a member of the college community.

After achieving the minimum GPA, the student must maintain those standards through the remainder of the program. If the student fails to meet or maintain those standards, the faculty will review the student’s record and recommend departmental probation (with appropriate prescription to overcome the deficiency) or dismissal from the program.

Appeal Process
A student may appeal any action taken by the department regarding his or her probation or dismissal from the major. In order to appeal, the student must submit a letter to the department chairperson requesting a review of their status. This appeal must be submitted within two weeks of the student being notified of his or her probation or dismissal. The sport management and recreation chairperson will call a meeting of the appropriate faculty to which the student will be invited. The student will be notified within ten days of the meeting regarding the outcome of their appeal.

VI. Sample Program by Year


The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning  their program. In general, students should take a minimum of 17 credits each semester to complete this major in four years. The child life specialization requires an additional semester.

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Literature, Second Language/Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

First Year - Spring or Fall Semesters


  • Credits: 1 s.h
  • PEAC ___* - Skill Electives
  • Credits / Units: 1 s.h.

  • General Education Courses
  • Credits / Units: 9-12 s.h.

Second Year - Fall or Spring Semesters


D. Fourth Year - Fall Semester


Fourth Year - Spring Semester


Fourth Year - Summer


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