Combined Degree: Recreational Therapy B.S. and M.S.
Grand Valley State University combined degree programs offer current
qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to complete both an
undergraduate and graduate degree, meeting their unique personal,
academic, and career goals. Pursuing a combined degree can reduce the
cost and total time required to complete both.
Visit the program website for more information.
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Program Overview
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the program and obtain both the B.S. and M.S. in recreational therapy within the accelerated time frame.
Students interested in the combined degree program will follow the undergraduate curriculum for recreational therapy, and will apply to the graduate program during their first year of undergraduate recreational therapy coursework.
Application requirements include:
- Demonstrate the potential to succeed in the combined program based on a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Earn a grade of C or higher (or CR or X) in each undergraduate non-recreational therapy course attempted.
- Earn a B- or higher in recreational therapy courses.
- Provide a letter of intent to pursue the combined degree.
- Have the recommendation of GVSU recreational therapy faculty members based on course performance.
Why Pursue a Combined Degree at Grand Valley?
- This program is the only recreational therapy master's program in Michigan, and the first in the United States designed as an advanced-practice program.
- GVSU's recreational therapy program is designed to meet the increasingly complex needs for more research and evidence-based practice to support the work of clinicians and advance recognition of the field.
- Nationally recognized curriculum with diverse opportunities for employment after graduation.
- Located in the state-of-the-art Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall with a one-of-a-kind recreational therapy classroom/lab space including adventure therapy course and adaptive sports court(s), in close proximity to five hospitals, and many research, clinical, and treatment facilities.
- Graduates enter a satisfying helping profession that assists people with disabilities to be more independent and achieve a higher quality of life, changing lives through transformative and innovative application of recreation and leisure.
Career Insights
This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.
Location & Format
Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.
Format:Coursework
Students will earn a maximum of nine graduate credits during their undergraduate program from the courses listed below. Students are encouraged to work with faculty advisors to ensure all requirements are met. Students may dual-count nine credits from the following courses toward their degrees:
- RTX 504 - Trends and Issues in Recreational Therapy
- RTX 505 - Management in Recreational Therapy
- RTX 510 - Research and Evaluation in Recreational Therapy
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the combined program, students must have junior or senior status and already be accepted into the GVSU recreational therapy undergraduate program. Visit the online catalog for information about the admission requirements for the combined bachelor of science and master of science in recreational therapy.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Health ProfessionsRecreational Therapy
106 Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall
500 Lafayette Ave. NE
Grand
Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 331-5600