The Graduate Certificate in Recreational Therapy provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in community and rehabilitative healthcare settings. The curriculum grounds students in the therapeutic use of recreational activities to improve physical, cognitive, social, and emotional functioning in patients and clients of all ages.
Coursework covers foundational concepts such as theories of recreation, leisure, play, and recreational therapy programming. Evidence-informed practice, assessment procedures, treatment plan development, documentation, and recreational therapy interventions for specific populations are explored. Class formats utilize lectures, discussions, case studies, and hands-on simulated practice to build clinical skills. Students gain an understanding of the psychological, physiological, and social benefits of recreational therapy across the lifespan.
The graduate certificate curriculum meets the “Therapeutic Recreation Content Courses” requirements to be eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC, 2023). With this credential, recreational therapists can work in clinical and community settings such as hospitals, rehab centers, mental health clinics, adaptive sports programs, schools, senior centers, and more. They join an interprofessional team providing recreational therapy services aimed at improving health, rehabilitation, recovery, function, leisure participation, and quality of life.
Through a blend of academic coursework and practical application, a Graduate Certificate in Recreational Therapy supplies the specialized knowledge to begin a career optimizing well-being and independence through recreational activities tailored to clients' needs and interests. Graduates are prepared to fill the growing need for certified recreational therapists.
Therapeutic Recreation is a helping profession providing recreation services to people from all backgrounds and abilities to improve their quality of life. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS®) are the qualified providers and are also referred to as Recreational Therapists. Recreational Therapists use recreation activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, games, outdoor adventure, and outings to help improve their clients' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Specific responsibilities include assessing clients' needs and interests, developing and leading individual and group therapy sessions, documenting progress, and working as part of a healthcare team to set and achieve treatment goals. With their background in recreation programming, psychology, and therapeutic techniques, recreational therapists enhance their clients' health, independence, and quality of life.
A graduate certificate provides the education and training needed to gain certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist. This graduate certificate helps individuals who are seeking either A) the academic pathway requirements to be eligible for the NCTRC exam, or B) the professional pathway requirements to be eligible for the NCTRC exam. Along with passing the national exam, having this certification allows recreational therapy graduates to advance in their careers.
A graduate certificate in recreational therapy opens a variety of career opportunities for students. Practitioners are found in communities working in not-for-profit, for-profit, and public agencies. This includes but is not limited to, schools, primary, acute, and tertiary hospitals, behavioral health facilities, juvenile halls and prisons, outdoor and adventure programs, community recreation facilities, independent and assisted living facilities, and long-term and skilled nursing centers.
Advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctorate, would allow students to advance to leadership and supervisory roles in therapeutic recreation settings or within other allied health roles, work in higher education as instructors/professors, or conduct research at research agencies. Students with teaching credentials may be eligible for teaching-related positions in the K-12 school system.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 18 |
| Major GPA | 3.0 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The Graduate Certificate in Recreational Therapy (RT) is designed to meet the needs of the field of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) by preparing future Recreational Therapists (RT) to meet the qualifications of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam. Therapeutic Recreation is a helping profession providing recreation services to people from all backgrounds and abilities to improve their quality of life. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS®) are the qualified providers and are also referred to as Recreational Therapists. Practitioners are found in communities working in not-for-profit, for-profit, and public agencies. This includes but is not limited to, schools, primary, acute, and tertiary hospitals, behavioral health facilities, juvenile halls and prisons, outdoor and adventure programs, independent and assisted living facilities, and long-term and skilled nursing centers.
The content of the program aligns with the ten job analysis task domains found on the NCTRC exam which include professional relationships and responsibilities, assessment, plan interventions and/or programs, implementation of interventions and/or programs, evaluation outcomes of the interventions and/or programs, document intervention services, treatment teams and/or service providers, develop and maintain programs, manage RT services, and awareness and advocacy. These ten categories are career-ready skills and knowledge areas common in RT higher education curricula across the United States and Canada.
In 2018, the Academic Action Task Force of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) determined to maintain a bachelor’s entry to the field rather than shift to a master’s level entry like other Allied Health industries. With this decision, people can continue to apply for the NCTRC exam based on two eligibility pathways: Academic and Professional. This graduate certificate would help individuals who are seeking either A) the academic pathway requirements to be eligible for the NCTRC exam, or B) the professional pathway requirements to be eligible for the NCTRC exam. Both entry pathways to credentialing require the same six-course RT curriculum. The only difference is that the academic pathway requires internship experience, and the professional pathway requires experience hours.
Student Learning Outcomes
Academic Pathway Students
The proposed certificate will meet established international competencies including Assessment, Intervention and Program Planning, Implementation, Documentation, Evaluation, Communication, Ethics, Professionalism, and Client-centered care.
Competencies further align with the 2023 NCTRC Certification standards:
Knowledge Domain 1: Professionalism
Job Task 1.01: Develop professional relationships.
Job Task 1.02: Maintain professional competencies.
Knowledge Domain 2: Assessment
Job Task 2.01: Conduct the assessment process.
Job Task 2.02: Apply assessment data to plan care.
Knowledge Domain 3: Planning
Job Task 3.01: Develop individualized plan of care.
Job Task 3.02: Design Program Services
Knowledge Domain 4: Implementation
Job Task 4.01: Deliver Program Services
Job Task 4.02: Adhere to risk management protocols.
Knowledge Domain 5: Evaluation and Documentation
Job Task 5.01: Document client progress
Job Task 5.02: Document program and client incident
Knowledge Domain 6: Administration
Job Task 6.01: Maintain department documentation.
Job Task 6.02: Assign and monitor personnel.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Take the following 18 - 21 units:
*Students who are pursuing the academic pathway to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) are required to complete the PRM 608 course with a minimum of 14 weeks, 560 hours of internship.
Students pursuing certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) are strongly encouraged to complete the following courses prior to enrollment or during the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Recreational Therapy. Consult with the PRM Program Coordinator for details.
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.