Western Carolina University

What makes this program special?
WCU is the first accredited university in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science degree specifically in Recreational Therapy. In a 2005 study of the 150 undergraduate programs in Recreational Therapy in the U.S., WCU’s Recreational Therapy degree program was rated as one of the top 10 programs, along with Indiana and Temple universities. Our Recreational Therapy program meets national curriculum guidelines for the field and graduates are successful in obtaining state licensure and national certification based on their educational degree requirements.

Are there any additional admission requirements?  
No additional requirements are necessary beyond being accepted to WCU, but students are encouraged to declare Recreational Therapy as their major early and start taking courses in the program since there are many specific courses required for graduation. Courses are sequenced and prerequisite requirements are in place so that freshman-level requirements are necessary for enrollment in later courses.

What scholarship monies are available?
All students are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Additional scholarships are available based on FAFSA information. Students may also qualify for North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association Student Academic Scholarships of $500, or AMBUCS scholarships of $500 to $1,500 for therapists in their junior or senior years of undergraduate studies.

What will I be able to do with this degree when I graduate?
Most recreational therapists are employed by health care agencies and work in inpatient hospitals or health facilities, but an increasing number are being hired in residential facilities, community mental health centers, adult day care programs, substance abuse centers, hospice care, community centers and in school systems. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the greatest job increases for recreational therapists will be in nursing care facilities and in the residential and outpatient settings that serve disabled persons, the elderly, or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems. According to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, the average annual salary for a qualified recreational therapist is $39,000.

What are the professors like?
WCU Recreational Therapy faculty members have attained national recognition in the field. Primary faculty members are all certified therapists with many years of experience as educators, healthcare professionals, and consultants. Support faculty are experts in their respective fields - human anatomy and physiology, counseling, psychology, pharmacology, medical sciences, child development and family relations. The Recreational Therapy faculty is always available to students and provide professional mentorship and career planning as well as general advising and teaching.

What are the students in the program doing?
Students pursue a variety of interests related to Recreational Therapy services while completing their undergraduate education. Some students pursue specializations in pediatrics, geriatrics, aquatic therapy, and adventure-based therapy. Our students attain highly competitive clinical internship experiences at agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, UNC Hospitals, Wake Forest Medical Center and Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospitals. Upon graduation, WCU Recreational Therapy alumni are recognized leaders in the field of recreational therapy in the state and throughout the nation.

Will I be able to participate in internships, clubs and other extracurricular opportunities?
Recreational Therapy students are encouraged to participate in the WCU Recreational Therapy Association. The association is structured along the lines of a professional membership society and aids students in professional development and career planning. RTA sponsors special workshops on topics such as aquatic and adventure-based therapy. Students are very involved in the state and national professional organizations through their affiliation with RTA. As part of the curriculum requirements, students complete a semester-long clinical internship in a major health care agency. Clinical internships are available throughout the U.S. Service learning projects are also under way with local agencies serving people with disabilities.

Contact

Dr. Peg Connolly, TRS/CTRS
E-mail: mconnolly@email.wcu.edu
phone: 828-227-3546
Visit the Recreational Therapy Program Website