Certificate in Recreation Therapy

Certificate in Recreation Therapy

Are you passionate about helping others and interested in a rewarding career in healthcare, mental health, or community wellness? The Recreation Therapy Certificate is your opportunity to turn that passion into a meaningful career!

What is Recreation Therapy?

Recreation therapy (also known as therapeutic recreation) uses activity-based interventions—like sports, arts, music, and outdoor recreation—to support individuals with disabilities, illnesses, or other challenges. It’s a holistic, client-centered approach that improves physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Recreation therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehab centers, and community programs to help people regain independence, build confidence, and improve their quality of life.

Why Choose This Certificate?

This program is open to all majors and is perfect for students in health sciences, psychology, social work, education, or kinesiology fields. Whether you’re looking to enhance your degree, boost your résumé, or explore a high-impact career in healthcare and human services, this certificate provides hands-on learning and real-world applications.

It also meets the coursework requirements for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Professional (CTRS) credential, a nationally recognized certification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities in recreation therapy.

Career Opportunities

With this certificate, you’ll be prepared to work in a variety of in-demand settings, including:

• Hospitals & Rehab Centers – Help patients recover through play, recreation, and leisure--based activities.
• Mental & Behavioral Health Facilities – Support mental wellness and coping strategies
  Schools & Community Programs – Design inclusive activities for children and adults with disabilities
• Long-Term Care & Assisted Living – Improve quality of life for older adults
• Outdoor & Adaptive Recreation – Work with parks, nonprofits, and adventure therapy programs

Why Choose Our Program?

🌟One-of-a-kind in the Pacific Northwest! We’re the only in-person Recreation Therapy program in Washington and the PNW.
📈 Top Exam Pass Rates! Our students excel on the NCTRC certification exam (100% pass rate for the previous 3 years) and land competitive jobs.
🎓 Strong Career Outcomes! Our graduates are leading recreation therapy programs in healthcare, nonprofits, and community agencies.
🚀 Grad School Ready! This certificate is an excellent foundation for students interested in graduate degrees in occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and other healthcare fields.

Certificate in Recreation Therapy (23-37 Credits)

For students interested in recreation therapy without certification, complete (23-25 Credits):

Core Requirements (12 Credits)
RECR 274: Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation (3 credits)
RECR 375: Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation (4 credits)
RECR 376: Therapeutic Recreation Program Design (5 credits)

Electives (Choose 3 of the following courses; 11-13 credits)
RECR 330: Critical Disability Studies (5 credits)
RECR 360: Professional Preparation (3 credits)
RECR 380: Therapeutic Recreation Principles, Practices and Techniques (5 credits)
RECR 421: Therapeutic Recreation Trends and Issues (3 credits)

For students interested in taking the NCTRC exam and earning the CTRS credential, you’ll complete 7 courses (35 credits), including:

RECR 274: Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation (3 credits)
RECR 360: Professional Preparation (3 credits)
RECR 375: Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation (4 credits)
RECR 376: Therapeutic Recreation Program Design (5 credits)
RECR 380: Therapeutic Recreation Principles, Practices and Techniques (5 credits)
RECR 421: Therapeutic Recreation Trends and Issues (3 credits)
RECR 472: Internship (12 Credits)

Links of Interest

American Therapeutic Recreation Association

National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification

Get Started Today!

Take the first step toward a meaningful, hands-on career that changes lives! Contact Jen Leita, Melissa D’Eloia, or Kristen Chmielewski to learn more about adding the Recreation Therapy Certificate to your academic plan.

Melissa D’Eloia, Ph.D., CTRS: deloiam@wwu.edu

Kristen Chmielewski, Ph.D., CTRS: chmielk@wwu.edu