Program Information

The therapeutic recreation is a major that focuses on the philosophy that recreation is essential to people’s overall development.

Following the guidelines set by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, students work in settings serving people with physical, emotional, psychiatric, and developmental disabilities. Students also work with older adults, people with chronic illness, people with substance abuse problems, and individuals in correctional institutions.

Graduates are able to help people develop and maintain their health and well-being through therapy, leisure education, and recreation activities to promote a quality leisure lifestyle. Completing the option will prepare students for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist.

Students in therapeutic recreation take courses in leadership, program planning, processes in therapeutic recreation, and introductory management in TR settings. They also take courses in psychology of disability and illness and programming for persons with disabilities.
 

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Therapeutic Recreation

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change

Contact Information

For more information about the Therapeutic Recreation major, contact Dr. Kevin McAllister, chairperson of the Sport Management and Recreation Department, at (413) 748-3476 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. 

For specific requirements, see the General Education Program - Traditional Undergraduate Students (40 - 46 credits)  section.

I. Major Requirements

II. Additional Program Requirements (13 credits)

• BIOL 130 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Credits: 3
• BIOL 132 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Lab Credits: 1
• PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3
• PSYC 221 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3

III. Select two courses from the following (6 credits)

• ARTS 118 - Introduction to Community Arts Credits: 3
• HSCI 201 - Introduction to Health Care Ethics Credits: 3
• RHDS 230 - Psychology of Disability and Illness Credits: 3
• SMRT 114 - Leisure in Modern Society Credits: 3

IV. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Note:

For students planning to enter the graduate progrm in Therapeutic Recreation Managament upon completion of their undergraduate program, it is suggested that they enroll in SMRT 642  and SMRT 643   during the studnet’s 4th year in the undergraduate program.