Program Detail





Therapeutic Recreation The Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation degree is an accredited program of the Council on Accreditation of Recreation, Parks and Tourism (COAPRT). The program exists within the framework to utilize recreation activities and other active treatment modalities, to increase the functional abilities and quality of life of people of all ages with disabilities and illnesses. This preparation places priority on the development of skills through applied learning experiences and community involvement. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam and credentialed to work in the field. Longwood's nationally recognized Therapeutic recreation program provides students with a comprehensive foundation of: liberal arts, biological and health sciences, social sciences, disability studies and leisure theory. The technical aspects of the Therapeutic Recreation profession are taught within specialty courses emphasizing professional and therapeutic communication, program planning, intervention techniques, clinical assessment and documentation, clinical reasoning, management and research.

COAPRT Standard 7.01. - Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.
  • Outcome:
    Students shall identify the role of a therapeutic recreation professional as an advocate for leisure, human rights, and services for individuals with illnesses and disabilities (7.01a). Students shall Identify various professional settings in therapeutic recreation and populations served in each setting (7.01a).
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Job Search Assignment Students research three active recreational therapy job postings. Within those job postings, the students are tasked with accurately identifying the job setting and population served. Additionally, students analyze services offered, daily tasks, and other job requirements of the CTRS. This is a new assignment in the RECR 110: Introduction to the Therapeutic Recreation Profession course.
  • Result:
    In the fall of 2022, 90% scored an 80% or better on the grading rubric for the assignment. In the spring of 2023, 93% scored an 80% or better on the grading rubric.
COAPRT Standard 7.02. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
  • Outcome:
    Students will plan and effectively implement facilitation techniques/modalities and interventions in individual and/or group formats (7.02c).
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Intervention Facilitation Assignment Students planned and implemented a 20-25 minute session for an assigned therapeutic recreation intervention. The students utilized a variety of facilitation techniques to implement the group session. This assignment is in the RECR 321: Facilitation Techniques/Interventions II in Therapeutic Recreation course.
  • Result:
    In the spring of 2023, 100% of students scored an 80% or higher on the grading rubric for the assignment.
COAPRT Standard 7.03. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions..
  • Outcome:
    Students will learn about the application of management theory and techniques of leisure service delivery, including such areas as organization, supervision techniques, financing and budget, personnel, public relations, legal foundations and liability. RECR 410: Supervision & Administration of Leisure Services course description
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Written Plan of Operation Assignment Students develop a Written Plan of Operation (WPO) for a therapeutic recreation department. The WPO includes a mission/vision, departmental goals and objectives, information about the population served, policies and procedures, risk management plan, a departmental budget, staffing information and methods of program evaluation. This assignment is in the RECR 410: Supervision & Administration of Leisure Services course.
  • Result:
    100% of students scored and 80% or higher on the WPO grading rubric.