The Online Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation Pathway to Professional Excellence Presented by Dr. Lynn Anderson, CTRS, CPRP
Learning Outcomes Participants will gain an understanding of the proposed online graduate certificate program in therapeutic recreation at SUNY Cortland Participants will gain knowledge of professional development opportunities in therapeutic recreation Participants will understand alternate paths to eligibility for certification in the profession
Disclaimer! At the time of this presentation, the Online Graduate Certificate Program in TR is approved at the university level and is now at the system level
Meet Janet. Janet has been working for the state in a job classification of recreation therapist. When she was hired years ago, her college degree in physical education was sufficient to meet the job qualifications. With a state licensure bill on the horizon in therapeutic recreation, Janet wants to pursue national certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with NCTRC so she will be prepared for the licensure law in the future. Janet has well over five years of experience in the field, but lacks the academic courses to pursue certification.
Meet John. John just graduated with his bachelor s degree in psychology. He is interested in working in the field of therapeutic recreation, which he discovered and fell in love with while working in his first job at a human services agency. The therapeutic recreation specialist at the agency is willing to provide a year of mentored supervision needed to pursue national certification as a CTRS, but John lacks the academic coursework he will also need to pursue certification.
Meet Lisa Lisa is a graduate student at a college in the Midwest. Because she needed to miss a semester due to a family crisis, she was unable to complete all her required coursework in therapeutic recreation. In order to graduate in a timely manner, she needs to find a few therapeutic recreation courses online in order to complete her degree requirements.
Meet Samantha Samantha needs to earn continuing education for her recertification in therapeutic recreation. She does not have the time or money to attend several conferences or workshops, so wants to take a college class to earn her CEUs. However, she needs to continue her full-time job and cannot travel to take a class as the nearest university with therapeutic recreation courses is over two hours away. She is looking for an online course to help her with her continued professional development.
Need for online learning in TR Place-bound Limited higher education opportunities geographically spread Inconsistent offerings at some universities Continuing education Looming licensure
Need for continuing education Over 30,000 recreation therapists in the U.S. Only 14,000 are certified
TR is a fast growing field TR is one of the fastest growing health/human services professions according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics TR is listed as one of the top 10 "best jobs to save the world" by CNN Money Healthcare Pathways named therapeutic recreation among its top ten fields of study
TR is a fast growing field AllHealthCare named TR the best paying health care job with a bachelor's degree Kiplinger named TR one of the most lucrative fields with only a bachelor's degree.
Fulfilling a Need An online graduate certificate program in therapeutic recreation would fulfill the varying needs of a large group of entering and practicing professionals in therapeutic recreation
What is a Graduate Certificate? Certificate means a credential issued by an accredited higher education institution in recognition of the completion of a curriculum other than one leading to a degree A graduate certificate is a program composed of graduate level courses
Official Transcript All courses taken are listed on a college transcript The certificate is posted to a college transcript, like a degree
Proposed Certificate Available only to those with bachelor s degrees The set of courses would lead to a Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation (not a degree) Would fulfill academic requirements in therapeutic recreation to enable graduates to sit for the NCTRC national certification exam
Proposed Certificate Could also provide a pathway into a master s in therapeutic recreation Professionals could take just one or a few courses to maintain certification, not the entire certificate program
Source for the following NCTRC information http://nctr c.org/docu ments/1n ewap.pdf
NCTRC Equivalency Paths Equivalency refers to an alternate route to certification based upon specific academic preparation and full-time, paid work experience. There are two equivalency paths to professional eligibility with NCTRC: Equivalency Path A Equivalency Path B
NCTRC Equivalency Path A The eligibility requirements to take the CTRS exam are a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university verified by an official transcript and the following:
NCTRC Equivalency Path A A minimum of 18 semester or 24 quarter hours of therapeutic recreation and general recreation content coursework with no less than a minimum of 15 semester or 20 quarter hours in therapeutic recreation content; A minimum of 5 courses in therapeutic recreation is required and each course must be a minimum of 3 credit hours; AND
NCTRC Equivalency Path A Supportive courses to include a minimum of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in the content areas of social sciences and humanities; AND
NCTRC Equivalency Path A A minimum of five (5) years of full-time paid experience in therapeutic recreation services that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis. Applicants who possess a graduate degree in therapeutic recreation need a minimum of three (3) years of full-time paid experience in therapeutic recreation services that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis.
Equivalency Path Work Experience In order for full-time work experience to be accepted under the equivalency paths, the job title and duties must be full-time in therapeutic recreation as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis.
Equivalency Path Work Experience Full-time work experience is defined as between 32 to 40 hours per week. Part-time work experience in a permanent employment position in therapeutic recreation practice will be accepted as long as it is between 20 to 31 hours per week.
Equivalency Path Work Experience If the part-time experience is ruled to be acceptable under the equivalency paths, it will be prorated (i.e., one year of part-time experience at 20 hours per week will be evaluated as 6 months full-time experience). Seasonal, temporary, and/or consulting experience will not be accepted as full-time or permanent part-time work experience.
NCTRC Equivalency Path B The eligibility requirements to take the CTRS examination are a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university verified by an official transcript and the following:
NCTRC Equivalency Path B A minimum of 18 semester or 24 quarter hours of therapeutic recreation and general recreation content coursework with no less than a minimum of 15 semester or 20 quarter hours in therapeutic recreation content. A minimum of 5 courses in therapeutic recreation is required and each course must be a minimum of 3 credit hours.
NCTRC Equivalency Path B Supportive courses to include a total of 18 semester hours or 24 quarter hours of support coursework with a minimum of: (i) 3 semester hours or 3 quarter hours coursework in the content area of anatomy and physiology; (ii) 3 semester hours or 3 quarter hours coursework in the content area of abnormal psychology; and (iii) 3 semester hours or 3 quarter hours coursework in the content area of human growth and development across the lifespan.
NCTRC Equivalency Path B The remaining semester hours or quarter hours of coursework must be fulfilled in the content areas of social sciences and humanities; AND
NCTRC Equivalency Path B A minimum of one (1) year fulltime, paid work experience in therapeutic recreation services under the supervision of a CTRS that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis
Equivalency Path B Work Experience Required work experience in therapeutic recreation must occur in the 5 years before application. Credit will not be given for administrative or consultant work, which does not include direct client services. One-year full-time experience is defined as a minimum of1500 hours worked (excludes scheduled and unscheduled leave time) within a minimum of a full calendar year (52 weeks). The 1500 hour number is determined from calculating full-time as a minimum of 32 hours per week over 46 weeks. 46 weeks is determined by subtracting potential vacation, holiday and leave time from 52 weeks in a year. A minimum of 32 hours per week will be considered full-time status. Part-time employment of no less than 20 hours per week will be pro-rated to full-time equivalent up to the minimum of 1500 hours of employment.
Equivalency Path B Work Experience The supervisor must hold an active CTRS credential throughout the period of supervision and the supervisor may be either: Employed on-site with direct supervisory responsibility for the applicant (direct supervisory responsibilities refer to having primary responsibility for the applicant s performance evaluation, clinical and/or managerial supervision); or A preceptor or consultant to the agency and applicant. The preceptor/consultant must provide on-site supervision of the applicant for a minimum of one hour for every 10 hours of the applicant s employment for a minimum of 150 hours within the calendar year of supervision. Supervision must include direct observation of practice as well as supervisory meetings. The CTRS supervisor must complete a formal evaluation provided by NCTRC.
Meeting the needs and the standards ONLINE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN TR
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Learning Outcomes: Students completing the graduate certificate program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the nature and scope of the therapeutic recreation profession and its associated service delivery systems, and the foundations of the therapeutic recreation profession in history, theory, science, and philosophy. Students completing the graduate certificate program shall demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services that facilitate targeted outcomes, and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity. Students completing the graduate certificate program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about management/administration of therapeutic recreation services.
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 603 - Historical, Philosophical and Theoretical Perspectives of Recreation and Leisure (3 cr) REC 630 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation (3 cr) REC 530 TR Process I: Assessment (3 cr) REC 533 TR Process II: PIE (3 cr) REC 535 TR Interventions (3 cr) REC 538 Design and Administration of TR Services (3 cr) Total Credit Hours Required: 18
Curriculum Map REC 603 REC 630 REC 530 REC 533 REC 535 REC 538 Historical, Philosophical, & Theoretical Perspective of Recreation & Leisure Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Process I: Assessment Therapeutic Recreation Process II From the NCTRC Test Content Therapeutic Recreation Interventions Therapeutic Recreation Administration Foundational Knowledge: 33.3% of exam Practice of TR/RT: 46.7% of exam Organization of TR/RT: 13.3% Advancement of TR: 6.7% Background Theories and concepts Background Diagnostic groupings Theories and concepts Strategies and guidelines Assessment Documentation Strategies and guidelines Implementation Documentation Strategies and guidelines Implementation TR service delivery Administrative tasks Advancement of TR
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 603 Historical, Philosophical & Theoretical Perspectives of Recreation & Leisure Foundational Knowledge: Theories of play/recreation/leisure Social/psychological aspects of play Leisure throughout the lifespan Leisure lifestyle development Practice of TR/RT: Nature of leisure/recreation activities Advancement of the Profession: Historical development of TR/RT
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 630 Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Foundational Knowledge: Diversity factors Theories of human behavior Concepts of health/human services Impairments Normalization/inclusion (do Inclusion U) Architectural barriers/accessibility Societal attitudes Legislation, relevant guidelines and standards
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 630 Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice of TR/RT: Concepts of TR/RT Models of TR/RT service delivery Practice settings Standards of practice Code of ethics Impact of impairment
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 630 Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Advancement of the Profession: Historical development of TR/RT TR/RT certification/recertification Professional standards/ethical guidelines
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 530 TR Process I: Assessment Foundational Knowledge: Relevant guidelines and standards Practice of TR/RT: Standards of practice Code of ethics
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 530 TR Process I: Assessment Practice of TR/RT: Selection of assessment Behavioral observations and interviewing Functional skills testing for assessment TR/RT/leisure assessment instruments; other inventories/questionnaires and sources of data Interpretation of assessment Sensory, cognitive, social, physical, affective, and leisure assessment Documentation
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 533 TR Process II: PIE Foundational Knowledge: Principles of group interaction/leadership Principles of behavioral change Practice of TR/RT: Standards of practice and code of ethics Documentation Nature of leisure/recreation activities Purpose/techniques of activity analysis Selection of programs Activity modifications
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 533 TR Process II: PIE Organization of TR/RT Services: Program design Writing measurable goals/behavioral objectives Health/human services professions Documentation procedures Interpretation of progress notes Advancement of the Profession: Advocacy Professional standards/ethical guidelines
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 535 TR Interventions Foundational Knowledge: Principles of group interaction/leadership Relevant guidelines and standards Practice of TR/RT: Standards of practice and code of ethics Leisure education/counseling Modalities/interventions Facilitation techniques/approaches
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 538 Design & Administration of TR Services Foundational Knowledge: Legislation Relevant guidelines and standards Practice of TR/RT: Models of TR/RT service delivery Practice settings Standards of practice Code of ethics Documentation
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 538 Design & Administration of TR Services Organization of TR/RT Services: Program design Service delivery systems; related professions Evaluating agency TR/RT service program Quality improvement TR/RT service plan of operation Personnel/intern/volunteer supervision Facility/equipment management Budgeting/fiscal responsibility, payment systems
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Curriculum REC 538 Design & Admin of TR Services Advancement of the Profession: Accreditation standards/regulations Professionalism, professional associations TR/RT certification/recertification Legislation/regulations Professional standards/ethical guidelines Public relations/marketing Maintaining/upgrading professional competencies Partnership for the advancement of TR/RT profession Continuing education/in-service training
The Online Graduate Certificate in TR Schedule
Admissions Requirements Bachelor's degree, completed before classes begin, in any academic major
Requirements for Awarding the Certificate The Certificate is awarded to students who have an overall 3.0 grade point average upon completion of all required coursework in the certificate program.
Tuition Cost For 3 credits: Resident: $1,233 Non-resident: $2,295 For 6 credits: Resident: $2,466 Non-resident: $4,590
Tuition Cost For 9 credits: Resident: $3,699 Non-resident: $6,885 Fees to be determined
Graduate Studies http://www2.cortland.edu/academics/ graduate/
For more information: Lynn.anderson@cortland.edu