Recreational Therapy
Restore, Remediate, and Rehabilitate the Lives of Others by becoming a recreational therapist at Catawba College.
Designed for those with a heart to serve in meaningful ways, the Recreational Therapy degree affords you the unique ability to have a direct, positive impact on individuals with disabilities and illnesses. Leisure-based interventions work to help clients reach physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual goals to reach higher levels of health and wellbeing.
Catawba College is proud to be one of the select colleges in the South to offer a degree in Recreational Therapy; a balanced curriculum that includes courses in psychology, anatomy, leadership, and medical terminology. We put even further emphasis on experiential learning in this holistic degree program through a required 80-hour practicum plus a full-time internship under the supervision of a NC Licensed Recreational Therapist (LRT) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Catawba College Recreational Therapy majors benefit from working with individuals from all types of populations: military veterans, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injury and stroke, and many more. Catawba College’s strong community partnerships include:
- Physical rehabilitation hospitals
- Day and residential programs for people with disabilities
- Correctional institutions
- Equine therapy facilities
- Camp and outdoor recreation organizations
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Continuum of care retirement homes and skilled nursing homes
- Behavioral health hospitals
- School systems
Program Highlights
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Degree Practicum
Gain practical experience in a variety of careers: Recreational Therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Research, Equine Therapy, Social Work, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Activity Directing, Healthcare Administration, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology.
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Master Program Readiness
Catawba’s Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy meets most of the admission requirements for master’s programs that include Advanced-Practice Recreational Therapy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Healthcare Administration, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology.
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Ranked #4
Catawba College is ranked sixth among Best Regional Colleges in the South by U.S. News. Our reputation of being a quality, accessible private college precedes us.
Jared Seamon ’21 Recreational Therapy GraduateI always knew I wanted to help people. I never figured that I would come to love working with people with disabilities and those who are growing older. But now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Program Details
Full-Time Internship
Full-Time Internship
Build experience on your resume and get hands-on experience through a full-time Recreational Therapy internship, whether it’s here in Salisbury, in your hometown, or at another unique location anywhere in the country.
Recreational Therapist Preparedness
Recreational Therapist Preparedness
Graduates of the Recreational Therapy degree program meet the requirements to sit for the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam and then become Licensed Recreational Therapists (LRT) in the state of North Carolina. Recreational Therapists use a variety of leisure-based interventions to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of their clients with disabilities and illness. The ultimate goal of recreational therapy is to improve clients’ quality of life and functional independence in the community.
Net Price Calculator
Net Price Calculator
Estimate your share of college costs and how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive
Our calculator is designed to give you an early indication of what type of financial aid you may qualify for if you were attending Catawba College as a first-year, transfer, online, or graduate student.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Careers - Recreational Therapy majors from Catawba College are improving lives in these positions:
- Recreation Therapist at Veterans Administration Medical Center
- Recreation Therapist at Senior TLC: A Community PACE Program
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services
- Manager of Behavioral Health at Davis Regional Medical Center
Graduate Schools - Grad schools enrolling Catawba Recreational Therapy majors include:
- Winston-Salem State University
- UNC-Greensboro
- Wake Forest University
Catawba College is proud to celebrate the achievements of its Sport Management students in the 2024 National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship (NCSSC), marking a continued legacy of excellence and growth in this competitive arena.
Catawba College’s Goodman School of Education spearheaded an effort to provide over 2,000 gifts to Oakley Elementary School for its annual Holiday Fair. The initiative brought together faculty, staff, and community partners in Rowan County to support students and teachers in Buncombe County, an area recently impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Catawba College Sport Management hosted a remarkable lineup of leaders to speak in its annual ‘Day of Culture’ Sport Lecture Series.
