Therapeutic Recreation, A.S. Degree
Program Design
The Therapeutic Recreation associate degree program is designed to address the need for a degree beyond the Therapeutic Recreation certificate for students pursuing careers as a therapeutic recreation director or supervisor in long-term care facilities. The associate degree in therapeutic recreation will also prepare students to work in a variety of therapeutic recreation settings such as rehabilitation facilities, penal institutions, group homes, facilities for developmentally disabled individuals and in psychiatric settings. Students can expect to obtain employment upon completion of this degree program or transfer to a baccalaureate institution in therapeutic recreation. Therapeutic recreation is a specialized allied health field within the recreation profession. Associated with leisure aspects of medical treatment, therapeutic recreation attempts to physically and socially rehabilitate patients who have chronic physical, psychological and social disabilities. It involves recreation services that give the patient an opportunity to participate in recreational, leisure and group activities specifically designed to aid in the recovery or adjustment to illness, disability or a specific social problem. Due to standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), students are advised that the healthcare facilities to which they are assigned for clinical rotations may require that they submit to a criminal background check before beginning their clinical experiences. Manchester Community College cannot be responsible for finding an alternate clinical placement for a student who fails to pass the background check. A student who is unable to complete the required clinical experience will be unable to complete the requirements for the associate degree in Therapeutic Recreation but may be able to apply some or all of the credits completed to an associate degree in General Studies. Students are advised to meet with an MCC counselor to discuss degree completion requirements.
Curriculum
Students may enroll in this program full-time or part-time and attend classes days or evenings.
Therapeutic Recreation Requirements |
||
| Elective | CSA* or CSC* course | 1-2 |
| Gen Ed | ENG* 101: Composition | 3 |
| Gen Ed | PSY* 111: General Psychology I | 3 |
| RLS* 101 | Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services | 3 |
| SSC* 110 | Health and Wellness Principles | 3 |
| RLS* 121 | Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Services | 3 |
| Subtotal: 16-17 | ||
| Elective | gerontology | 3 |
| Gen Ed |
MAT* 109: Quantitative Literacy or MAT* 165: Elementary Statistics with Computer Application |
3-4 |
| PSY* 163 |
Children with Disabilities or Adults with Disabilities |
3 |
| SSC* 294 | Cooperative Education / Work Experience | 3 |
| RLS* 122 | Processes and Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| Subtotal: 15-16 | ||
| Gen Ed ^ | BIO* 115: Human Biology | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Mode 1 | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Mode 3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed | PSY* 201: Life Span Development | 3 |
| RLS* 221 | Therapeutic Recreation Programming | 3 |
| Subtotal: 16 | ||
| Gen Ed | COM* 173: Public Speaking | 3 |
| Choose | any ANT*, ECN*, GEO*, HIS*, POL*, PSY*, SOC* or |
3 |
| RLS* 223 | Leisure and Aging | 3 |
| RLS* 295 | Professional Practicum in Therapeutic Recreation | 4 |
| Subtotal: 13 | ||
| Total Credits Required: 60-62 | ||
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all Therapeutic Recreation degree program requirements, graduates will
- Meet the state health code requirements to hold the position of a therapeutic recreation director in the State of Connecticut.
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and apply the necessary skills required of a therapeutic recreation director.
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend the needs of individuals with special needs and the positive outcomes of therapeutic recreation intervention.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with special needs both in a clinical and community setting.
- Have developed leadership, interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work in a healthcare or community-based setting.
- Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with the therapeutic recreation code of ethics.
- Demonstrate skills for work as a therapeutic recreation program supervisor in long-term care facilities.
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a variety of therapeutic recreation settings such as rehabilitation facilities, penal institutions, group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, psychiatric settings and a variety of other settings servicing individuals with special needs in a therapeutic recreation settings.
- Demonstrate computer skills necessary to the therapeutic recreation profession.
- Demonstrate accurate problem-solving abilities when working in the therapeutic recreation environment.
In addition, the graduate will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes identified with the General Education Core.
^ Students planning to transfer to a baccalaureate program should take BIO* 211 and BIO* 212.
Division of Mathematics, Science and Health Careers: 860-512-2700
Source: 2011-2012 Course Catalog
