• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    35
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $518.62
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $621.98

Recreation Therapy, MS | (Recreational Therapy)

Master Of Science In Recreation

Recreational therapy employs recreation and leisure activities as a tool to improve function and well-being for people living with disabilities or illnesses. Recreational therapists help maintain or improve a client's physical, mental, and emotional well-being through a variety of techniques, including sport, wellness forums, drama, music, dance, and community reintegration. Therapists assess individuals' needs, plan and implement specific interventions to meet those needs, and document and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. 

The IU Online Master of Science in Recreational Therapy explores courses on measuring clinical outcomes; the delivery of therapeutic interventions; administration theory and management practices; research in health, kinesiology, and recreation; and statistics in public health. Through projects, internship opportunities, and field experiences, you learn how to execute the recreational therapy process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation (APIE), and gain a deeper understanding of theoretical foundations. Further, you acquire program-development and consultation skills, and learn advanced recreational therapy techniques. Both on-campus and online students have opportunities to participate in faculty research teams as well as engage with the IU Wheelchair Basketball Club. 

All students graduating from the major are eligible to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) examination. 

Your IU Online MSR in Recreational Therapy prepares you for such careers as: 

  • Recreational therapist
  • Adaptive sport coordinator
  • Activities director
  • Activity coordinator
  • Therapeutic recreation specialist
  • General activities therapist

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the MSR in Recreational Therapy, you must complete 35 credit hours. 

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Recreational therapy foundation courses (15 credit hours) 
  • Recreational therapy emphasis courses (12 credit hours) 
  • Recreational therapy capstone project (3-5 credit hours) 
  • Elective courses (3 credit hours) 

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. A bachelor's degree

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:

Complete an online application that includes:

  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation 
  • Statement of purpose (600 words or less)
  • Resume
  • GRE scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only) 

Courses

Core
SPH-Q 501Introduction to Statistics in Public Health3 Credits
SPH-R 510Philosophy of Leisure and Recreation3 Credits
SPH-R 512Administration Theory and Management Practices in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Public Lands3 Credits
SPH-R 697Internship in Recreation and Parks3 Credits
SPH-X 590Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation3 Credits
SPH-Y 560Professional Development of Therapeutic Recreation3 Credits
SPH-Y 561Advanced Therapeutic Recreation Processes3 Credits
SPH-Y 562Social Psychology of Therapeutic Recreation3 Credits
SPH-Y 563Program Development and Consultation in Therapeutic Recreation3 Credits
SPH-Y 564Advanced Facilitation Techniques in Recreational Therapy3 Credits
Elective
SPH-R 550Special Concerns in Parks and Recreation3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $518.62
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1555.86
Note:
  Additional fees will apply.
Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $621.98
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1865.94
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