What is the main difference between the Rehabilitation Track and the Recreational Therapy Track?
The Rehabilitation Track is designed for students who want to go into allied health care fields and want flexibility in the curriculum to take prerequisite courses for other graduate programs. The rehabilitation track makes students eligible for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification via NCTRC’s Equivalency Path. Rehabilitation Track students have 30 credits of required courses, no required internships and 30 credits of electives. View Rehabilitation track courses
The Recreational Therapy track is designed for students who want a career in Recreational Therapy. The Recreational Therapy track curriculum makes students eligible for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification via NCTRC’s Academic Path. The Recreational Therapy track has 39 credits of required courses, 18 credits of internship, and 3 credits of electives. View Recreational Therapy track courses
What sets the RRT degree at FIU apart from degrees at other universities?
Our innovative program is intentionally designed to provide students with exciting learning opportunities. Some of the highlights of our degree include:
- Only RT degree available in the state of Florida
- Two tracks for more flexibility to meet your career and education goals
- Fully online degree option
- Standalone degree rather than a track
- Focus on experiential education and hands-on learning experiences
- Opportunities to learn novel recreational therapy modalities such as scuba diving, yoga, validation therapy, aquatics, therapeutic drumming, reiki, aroma therapy
- Diverse faculty and student population
- FIU is located in a vibrant city with access to year-round outdoor leisure and recreation opportunities
- Florida is the state with the largest population of older adults
What is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational Therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illness and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.
What is a CTRS?
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is a certified recreational therapist who has demonstrated professional competence by acquiring a specific body of knowledge and passing the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam and is the most qualified professional to provide recreational therapy services. A CTRS often serves as a member of the health care treatment team with other health care professionals.
What is NCTRC?
The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is the premier credentialing organization for the field of recreational therapy. NCTRC sets standards for certification, including education, experience and continuing professional development. FIU’s RRT program is based on NCTRC standards.
How do I become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)?
NCTRC has two paths for certification, the Academic Path and the Equivalency Path. Students who graduate from the Recreational Therapy track are immediately eligible to sit for the NCTRC exam to become a CTRS under the Academic Path. Students who graduate from the Rehabilitation Track are eligible to become a CTRS through the Equivalency Path after working a minimum of 1,500 hours under the supervision of a CTRS.