Chair to be appointed
The Department of Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Services offers two majors --- one in therapeutic recreation and one in leisure services. These majors lead to a broad range of leisure service careers. Both programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the American Association for Leisure and Recreation (AALR). In addition to a general core of professional studies, the therapeutic recreation major and the leisure services major allow students to specialize in recreation program areas and settings of particular interest. Two minors are also available --- one in recreation and one in outdoor recreation.
B.S. in Leisure Services |
This program prepares students for diverse career opportunities within the recreation, parks, and leisure service field. Leisure service professionals work in a variety of settings. In commercial recreation and tourism, opportunities exist in theme parks, resorts, hotels, convention centers, and visitors bureaus. In outdoor recreation, opportunities exist in state and federal land management agencies and a variety of outdoor adventure companies. In community recreation, opportunities exist in nonprofit youth service organizations, public parks and recreation programs, and a variety of governmental agencies.
1. A student in this major must receive a semester grade of at least C- in all required 661-xxxxx courses.
2. A student who fails to complete a required 661-xxxxx course with a grade of at least C- must repeat the course. The Ithaca College policies on repeating courses stated on p. 343 must be followed.
3. A student who receives less than a C- after repeating a required 661-xxxxx course will be subject to dismissal from the program. A student dismissed from the program may be eligible to enter other Ithaca College degree programs.
4. A student dismissed from a professional practicum is subject to receiving a failing grade and in that case must complete a prescribed program of remediation prior to a second placement. The student must register again for the practicum. A student dismissed from a professional practicum a second time is subject to dismissal from the program.
5. In exceptional cases, a student may be readmitted to the program upon satisfying conditions determined by the faculty.
At least 60 credits of liberal arts are required to graduate with a B.S. degree. All candidates for the B.S. degree in leisure services must complete a minimum of 124 credits in the components described below.
303-xxxxx |
Biology course or |
|
663-12000 |
Anatomy and Physiology I (4) |
3-4 |
311-xxxxx |
History elective |
3 |
313-xxxxx |
Mathematics elective |
3-4 |
319-xxxxx |
Speech communication elective (319-11000, 319-11500, 319-14000, or 319-14900) |
3 |
330-10400 |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology or |
|
330-20400 |
Principles of Developmental Psychology |
3 |
331-xxxxx |
Sociology elective |
3 |
377-10600 |
Academic Writing I or |
|
377-10700 |
Academic Writing II |
3 |
377-xxxxx |
Applied writing elective (not 377-10100) |
3 |
Cultural diversity elective --- one of the following
310-12900 |
Introduction to Global Studies (3) |
|
331-11600 |
Introduction to Multicultural Studies (3) |
|
331-13000 |
Youth and Youth Cultures (3) |
|
331-20700 |
Race and Ethnicity (3) |
|
331-22600 |
Sociology of Hispanic Americans (3) |
|
331-30300 |
Global Race and Ethnic Relations (3) |
|
339-10400 |
Cultural Anthropology (3) |
|
339-12900 |
Introduction to Global Studies (3) |
3 |
Fine arts elective |
3 | |
Liberal arts electives |
19-21 | |
Total, general requirements (LA) |
51 |
661-10300 |
Challenge of Recreation and Leisure |
3 |
661-10400 |
New Games |
1 |
661-10500 |
Leadership |
3 |
661-12500 |
Introduction to Special Populations |
3 |
661-13900 |
Computer Applications in Recreation |
3 |
661-23200 |
Program Planning |
3 |
661-23500 |
Design and Operation of Areas and Facilities |
3 |
661-33000 |
Administration and Supervision |
3 |
661-33200 |
Research Methods |
3 |
661-34000 661-45300 |
Inclusive Community Leisure Services Seminar: Professional Development |
3 3 |
662-12200 |
Emergency Health Care |
1 |
Total, professional core |
32 |
A minimum of 15 credits is required. Three credits must be completed in each of the three groupings below. The other 6 credits can be in Groups I, II, and/or III, or can be 3-credit leisure services electives not listed under those groups.
Group I --- commercial recreation and tourism
661-13700 |
Leisure Travel (3) |
|
661-33600 |
Commercial Recreation (3) |
|
661-33700 |
Tourism Systems and Policies (3) |
|
661-43100 |
Feasibility Studies in Commercial Recreation (3) |
|
661-xxxxx |
Experimental or new course related to commercial recreation or tourism (3) |
3-9 |
Group II --- outdoor recreation and resource interpretation
661-21600 |
Outdoor Adventure Skills (3) |
|
661-22100 |
Wilderness Travel (3) |
|
661-25100 |
Foundations of Outdoor Adventure Pursuits (3) |
|
661-25300 |
Project Adventure (3) |
|
661-35200 |
Outdoor Education (3) |
|
661-35400 |
Leadership Techniques in Outdoor Recreation (3) |
|
661-xxxxx |
Experimental or new course related to outdoor recreation and resource interpretation (3) |
3-9 |
Group III --- general recreation
661-21500 |
Youth at Risk (3) |
|
661-23800 |
Leisure and Aging (3) |
|
661-24300 |
Interventions and Protocols in Therapeutic Recreation (3) |
|
661-xxxxx |
Experimental or new course related to general recreation (3) |
|
661-33400 |
Leisure Education (3) |
|
661-45000 |
Independent Study (1-3) |
3-9 |
Total, professional electives |
15 |
A minimum of 6 credits must be earned in either 661-34900 or 661-44100, both of which can be taken for variable credit. The total number of practicum credits earned for the degree may not exceed 15, including those earned in fieldwork courses outside the major. Practicum credits beyond the 12 required may be counted as free electives.
Internships must be approved by the department chair. To be eligible for an internship (661-44100), a leisure services major must meet the following prerequisites:
1. A GPA of at least 2.50 in Department of Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Services courses
2. A minimum average of 3.00 in 661-24800 and 661-34800, Fieldwork I and II
3. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 24 credits earned in the last 12 months
4. Completion of at least 24 credits of required recreation (661-xxxxx) courses and at least 6 credits of leisure services electives (661-xxxxx)
661-24800 |
Fieldwork I |
3 |
661-34800 |
Fieldwork II |
3 |
661-34900 |
Advanced Fieldwork or |
|
661-44100 |
Internship in Recreation and Leisure Studies |
6-9 |
Total, professional practicum |
12-15 |
|
Total |
11-14 |
|
General requirements (LA) |
51 |
|
Professional core |
32 |
|
Leisure services electives |
15 |
|
Professional practicum |
12-15 |
|
Free electives |
11-14 |
Total, B.S. in leisure services |
124 |
B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation |
Therapeutic recreation offers career opportunities for those who are interested in working with individuals with disabling conditions and who enjoy involvement in recreation and leisure-based activities. Therapeutic recreation specialists assess physical, social, emotional, and mental functioning to determine the individual's needs, interests, and abilities. With this information, they develop individualized treatment plans and intervention strategies to address the client's functional deficits and enhance quality of life.
Therapeutic recreation specialists utilize medically approved activities to rehabilitate or maintain their clients' functional abilities. These activities can include arts, crafts, music, dance, drama, horticulture, adventure programs, interaction with pets, sports, games, and community-based outings and field trips. These activities help clients build their self-esteem, interact effectively with others, develop physical and cognitive abilities, and learn new skills.
Therapeutic recreation specialists work in a variety of settings. In clinical settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, they treat or rehabilitate individuals with specific medical problems in cooperation with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, etc. In nursing homes and residential facilities, they utilize activities to enhance general health and quality of life. In the community, therapeutic recreation specialists work with recreation departments, special education programs, correctional facilities, programs for youth at risk, and centers for older adults. In these settings, therapeutic recreation specialists develop programs and provide activities that include exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun.
1. A student in the therapeutic recreation major must receive a semester grade of at least C- in all required 661-xxxxx courses.
2. A student who fails to complete a required 661-xxxxx course with at least a C- grade must repeat the course. The Ithaca College policies on repeating courses stated on p. 343 must be followed.
3. A student who receives less than a C- after repeating a required 661-xxxxx course will be subject to dismissal from the program. A student dismissed from the program may be eligible to enter other Ithaca College degree programs.
4. A student dismissed from a professional practicum is subject to receiving a failing grade and in that case must complete a prescribed program of remediation prior to a second placement. The student must register again for the practicum. A student dismissed from a professional practicum a second time is subject to dismissal from the program.
5. In an exceptional case, a student may be readmitted to this program upon satisfying conditions determined by the faculty.
At least 60 credit hours of liberal arts courses are required to graduate with a B.S. degree. All candidates for the B.S. degree in therapeutic recreation must complete a minimum of 125 credits in the various components described below.
311-xxxxx |
History elective |
3 |
313-xxxxx |
Math elective |
3-4 |
314-23000 |
Medical Ethics |
3 |
319-xxxxx |
Speech Communication (319-11000, 319-11500, 319-14000, or 319-14900) |
3 |
330-10400 |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology or |
|
330-20400 |
Principles of Developmental Psychology |
3 |
330-32100 |
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
331-xxxxx |
Sociology elective |
3 |
377-10600 |
Academic Writing I or |
|
377-10700 |
Academic Writing II (by placement) |
3 |
377-xxxxx |
Writing elective (not 377-10100) |
3 |
Cultural diversity elective --- one of the following:
310-12900 |
Introduction to Global Studies |
|
331-11600 |
Introduction to Multicultural Studies |
|
331-13000 |
Youth and Youth Cultures |
|
331-20700 |
Race and Ethnicity |
|
331-22600 |
Sociology of Hispanic Americans |
|
331-30300 |
Global Race and Ethnic Relations |
|
339-10400 |
Cultural Anthropology |
|
339-12900 |
Introduction to Global Studies |
3 |
Total, general requirements |
30-31 |
620-10900 |
Sign Language I |
3 |
640-10200 |
Medical Terminology |
3 |
640-20500 |
Critical Health Issues |
3 |
662-12200 |
Emergency Health Care |
1 |
663-12000 |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
663-12100 |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
Total, required health science courses |
18 |
661-10300 |
Challenge of Recreation and Leisure |
3 |
661-10400 |
New Games |
1 |
661-10500 |
Leadership |
3 |
661-12500 |
Introduction to Special Populations |
3 |
661-13900 |
Computer Applications in Recreation |
3 |
661-23200 |
Program Planning |
3 |
661-23500 |
Design and Operation of Areas and Facilities |
3 |
661-33000 |
Administration and Supervision |
3 |
661-33200 |
Research Methods |
3 |
661-xxxxx |
Recreation elective: any recreation course not required in the major |
3 |
Total, general recreation courses |
28 |
661-23300 |
Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
661-24300 |
Interventions and Protocols in Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
661-33400 |
Leisure Education |
3 |
661-34000 661-34400 |
Inclusive Community Leisure Services Programming and Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation |
3 3 |
661-35600 |
Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
661-43300 |
Administration of Therapeutic Recreation |
3 |
661-45300 |
Seminar: Professional Development |
3 |
Total, therapeutic recreation professional core courses |
24 |
A minimum of 6 credits must be earned in either 661-34900 or 661-44100, both of which can be taken for variable credit. The total number of practicum credits earned for the degree may not exceed 15, including those credits earned in fieldwork courses outside the major. Practicum credits beyond the 12 required credits may be counted as free electives. Students must complete a minimum of 480 hours over a period of no less than 12 consecutive weeks. No less than 20 hours can be completed in any week.
Internships must be approved by the department chair. To be eligible for an internship (661-44100), a therapeutic recreation major must meet the following prerequisites:
1. A GPA of at least 2.50 in Department of Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Services (661-xxxxx) courses
2. Minimum average of 3.00 in 661-24800 Fieldwork I and 661-34800 Fieldwork II
3. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 24 credits earned in the last 12 months
4. Completion of a majority of the therapeutic recreation professional core.
661-24800 |
Fieldwork I |
3 |
661-34800 |
Fieldwork II |
3 |
661-34900 |
Advanced Fieldwork or |
|
661-44100 |
Internship in Recreation and Leisure Studies |
6-9 |
Total, professional practicum |
12-15 |
Total |
7-8 |
|
Total |
2-5 |
|
General requirements |
30-31 |
|
Required health science courses |
18 |
|
General recreation courses |
28 |
|
Therapeutic recreation professional core courses |
24 |
|
Professional practicum |
12-15 |
|
Liberal arts electives |
7-8 |
|
Free electives |
2-5 |
Total, B.S. in therapeutic recreation |
125 |
Minors |
Open to students majoring in all disciplines except leisure services and therapeutic recreation.
The academic minor in recreation is designed to increase the student's awareness of the importance and extent of leisure and recreation in modern society and to prepare the student to plan, organize, and lead a recreation program of limited scope in a variety of settings.
In addition to the minimum credit requirements for this minor, students must either provide documented evidence that they have had at least 200 hours of work or volunteer experience in the areas of recreation programming or leadership with a leisure service agency, or complete the course 661-24800 Fieldwork I as space permits. Experience from other course requirements or before admission to the minor program will not satisfy the experiential requirement.
661-10300 |
Challenge of Recreation and Leisure or |
|
661-10100 |
Leisure and Society |
3 |
661-10500 |
Leadership |
3 |
661-23200 |
Program Planning |
3 |
662-12200 |
Emergency Health Care |
1 |
661-xxxxx |
Recreation electives |
6 |
Total, recreation minor |
16 |
Open to students majoring in all disciplines except leisure services and therapeutic recreation.
Outdoor recreation is being utilized in many settings. Businesses support "high adventure" programs for their executives. Social service agencies offer camping and outdoor adventure programs for clients. Schools use outdoor education and camping programs as part of their curriculum. This academic minor prepares students to plan, organize, and lead outdoor recreation programs of limited scope.
661-10500 |
Leadership |
3 |
661-25100 |
Foundations of Outdoor Adventure Pursuits |
3 |
661-21600 |
Outdoor Adventure Skills or |
|
661-35400 |
Leadership Techniques in Outdoor Recreation |
3 |
662-12200 |
Emergency Health Care |
1 |
661-xxxxx |
Recreation electives (to be chosen as specified below) |
6 |
A minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:
661-21600 |
Outdoor Adventure Skills (3) |
|
661-22100 |
Wilderness Travel (3) |
|
661-25000 |
Rock Climbing (1) |
|
661-25300 |
Project Adventure (3) |
|
661-35200 |
Outdoor Education (3) |
|
661-35400 |
Leadership Techniques in Outdoor Recreation (3) |
|
661-35500 |
Outdoor Adventures for Special Populations (3) |
|
661-xxxxx |
Experimental or new course related to outdoor recreation (1-3) |
|
Total, outdoor recreation minor |
16 |
In addition to the minimum credit-hour requirements to complete the minor, students must provide documented evidence verifying that they have had at least 200 hours of work or volunteer experience in outdoor recreation leadership or programming, or complete the course 661-24800 Fieldwork I. Experience obtained as a result of other course requirements or prior to admission to the minor program will not satisfy the experiential requirement.
A maximum of 6 credits will be accepted in transfer for this minor. These credits may be obtained from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound, or other experiential programs giving academic credit. In most cases these credits will be substituted for 661-21600 Outdoor Adventure Skills or 661-22100 Wilderness Travel.
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