Therapeutic Recreation

Program Description

The mission of the Therapeutic Recreation program is to prepare students for the workplace, or for further education leading to a baccalaureate degree, by providing the core information and skills necessary to improve leisure time functioning and quality of life for individuals living with a wide range of chronic health conditions or disabilities.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialists are employed in health and human services settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, adult day care facilities, youth agencies, drug treatment centers and homeless shelters. This is a rewarding career for those interested in improving the quality of lives for people with health conditions and disabilities. The Therapeutic Recreation Associate of Science (AS) degree program is a joint degree program with Lehman College’s B.S. program in Therapeutic Recreation.

Upon completion of the curriculum at Bronx Community College students will automatically be accepted into Lehman College’s Recreation Education Program. At Lehman, students can continue in the specialization of Therapeutic Recreation or Administration. Upon graduation from Lehman College students in Therapeutic Recreation are eligible to take the National Certification Examination for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) administered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Students in the administration specialization are employed in public parks and recreation agencies, not-for-profit organizations such as P.A.L. and the YMCA, health and fitness centers, camps and sports associations. Upon graduation from Lehman College, students can sit for the national certifying examination for Certified Leisure Professional (CLP) administered by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Therapeutic Recreation degree program requirements, students will be able to:

1.  Identify the relationship between leisure and health/well-being.
2.   Conduct formal and informal assessment(s) and analyze results with acuity.
3.   Discuss the impact of culture on leisure/health behaviors.
4.   Demonstrate the ability to effectively plan and facilitate therapeutic programs and activities.
5.   Identify the role of the Therapeutic Recreation specialist within an interdisciplinary team.
6.  Examine and analyze attitudes towards individuals with social, emotional, or physical disabilities.

Program Director: Professor Tiquana Gatlin