Post-Bac in Recreation Therapy
This certificate is designed for people who seek employment in the recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation field and DO NOT meet one of the following:
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A bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation.
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A bachelor's degree with an option in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation.
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A bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation, recreation, or leisure with a combination with other fields of study (e.g., Health Studies; Recreation and Sports Management; Leisure and Tourism)
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A bachelor's degree in another field of study with a concentration/emphasis/sub-plan/option/minor/certificate in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation.
This certificate prepares students for both State and National certifications; the California Board of Recreation Therapy Certification (CBRTC; formally known as CBRPC) and National Certified Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
* A baccalaureate degree, which may be completed concurrently, is required for the completion of the certificate program. State and National Certificate Exam requirements are varied and can change, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that their program of study meets the exam certificate requirements of the agency governing the certificate they wish to pursue.
* This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department website for required Federal disclosure information.
Recreational therapists hold about 20,000 jobs in the states. The largest employers of recreational therapists are hospitals (e.g., state, local and private), government (e.g., VAs, Correctional Systems, etc.), nursing care facilities (e.g., skilled nursing, assistive living, daily living facilities, etc.), ambulatory healthcare services, and other social and human services. Lately, there is a growing trend for recreational therapists to work in private practice providing services in the home and community as well. Depending on the settings, recreational therapists will be working with diverse populations such as individuals with physical disabilities, older adults, individuals with psychiatric disorders, pediatric patients, youth at risk, and people with developmental or mental disabilities.
- A baccalaureate degree in progress or completed with a GPA of 3.0 or above or explain why the GPA is lower in the Statement of Purpose
- Submit Application and Supporting Documents by Deadline: November 1 and June 1
- Official Transcripts uploaded to Cal State apply from all relevant degree programs
- CV/resume
- Statement of Purpose that describes any experience in Recreation Therapy, explains interest in Recreation Therapy and the reason for seeking admission to the post bac certificate program.
This certificate prepares students for the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification exam. A baccalaureate degree, which may be awarded concurrently, is required for completion of this certificate program.
This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department website for required Federal disclosure information.
Recreation Therapy Requirements (24-30 units)
- REC 351 - Foundations of Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy (3 units) *”C” or better required.
- REC 451 - Management and Administration of Recreation Therapy Services (3 units) /
- REC 551 - Management and Administration of Recreation Therapy Services (3 units)
- REC 452 - Assessment and Documentation in Recreation Therapy (3 units) /
- REC 552 - Assessment and Documentation in Recreation Therapy (3 units)
- REC 453 - Comprehensive Programming and Evaluation in Recreation Therapy (3 units) /
- REC 553 - Comprehensive Programming and Evaluation in Recreation Therapy (3 units)
- REC 455 - Recreation Therapy for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (3 units) *”C” or better required OR
- REC 456 - Recreation Therapy for Individuals with Psychiatric Disorders (3 units) *”C” or better required
- REC 458 - Clinical Techniques in Recreation Therapy (3 units) /
- REC 558 - Clinical Techniques in Recreation Therapy (3 units)
- REC 498 - Internship in Leisure Services (6-12 units)
Recreation Therapy Supportive Courses (17 units)
- ANTH 319 - Human Growth and Development (3 units)
- BIOL 207 - Human Physiology (4 units)
- BIOL 208 - Human Anatomy (4 units)
- PSY 100 - General Psychology (3 units)
- PSY 370 - Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
Take nine (9) units of Advisor-Approved Recreation Courses
Take (9) units of Advisor-Approved Elective Courses from:
Anthropology, Biology, Communication, Dance, Educational Psychology, Gerontology, Health Science, Human Development, Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology
