2022-2023 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Master of Science in Recreational Therapy
The Master of Science in recreational therapy (M.S. in RT) degree is a graduate program that leads to an advanced practice degree. This master's degree program focuses on advanced practice issues and competencies to enhance the recreational therapist's skills and competencies to meet increasingly complex consumers in a variety of health care and community settings. The program is one year. The M.S. in RT is offered as a hybrid program; the majority of coursework is online with one to three in-seat classes per semester.
Admission into the M.S. in RT
- One-Year Master's Degree Track: For those who have a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation and are already a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or CTRS eligible, who desire to pursue an M.S. in RT. It requires a total of 33 credits. Students are expected to complete the NCTRC exam after their undergraduate coursework and prior to beginning their graduate coursework.
- Combined Degree Track: Accelerated B.S./M.S. in RT is a 33-credit master's degree with nine dual-listed credits that can be taken while completing the undergraduate degree (RTX 504, RTX 505, and RTX 510). Students will be able to complete both the B.S. and M.S. within five years. Students are expected to have their CTRS in this option.
Admission into the Master of Science in recreational therapy is competitive. Maximum class size for hybrid classes is 20 students. Application materials are due by February 1 with courses beginning in August. Applications are reviewed by recreational therapy faculty members and ranked on a total score basis. The top 20 candidates are offered seats in the program. Each alternative candidate is offered admission based on total score, if any of the original candidates declines admission.
Application Process into the Combined Degree (Accelerated B.S./M.S.) in Recreational Therapy
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the combined bachelor's/master's program and obtain both a B.S. and M.S. in recreational therapy within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to the combined program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to nine credits of graduate work (dual-listed courses RTX 504, RTX 505, and RTX 510) may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. Students should note that RTX 504, RTX 505, and RTX 510 may require graduate level tuition.
If students earn at least a grade of B in each of these three classes (nine credits), they are granted advanced standing in the master's program. Then they must complete an additional 24 credits to earn a master's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met, including the Capstone course (RTX 698). A minimum of 24 credits in the M.S. in RT program must be completed after the 120 credits for the bachelor's degree are awarded to receive the M.S. in RT.
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;
- 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, X, or I) in each undergraduate nonrecreational therapy course attempted;
- earn a B- or higher in recreational therapy courses;
- provide a letter of intent to pursue the combined degree;
- be prepared to take three dual-listed graduate level courses as an undergraduate, which may require graduate level tuition (RTX 504, RTX 505, and RTX 510); and
- possess the recommendation of GVSU recreational therapy faculty members based on course performance.
Graduation Without Completion of the Graduate Program
If a student decides at some point to pursue only the undergraduate degree, the recreational therapy program will still recognize the graduate courses (RTX 504, RTX 505, and RTX 510) for completion of the undergraduate degree only. Credit from these courses cannot be used toward a graduate degree at a later date; therefore, the student would be admitted to the MSRT under the one-year program, rather than the combined program.
Application Process into the One-Year Master of Science in Recreational Therapy
To be admitted to the one year M.S. in RT track, applicants must
- hold a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy/recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation from an accredited university completed prior to the start of the M.S. in RT program;
- provide proof of certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or prove to be CTRS eligible;
- demonstrate coursework in research methods and introduction to statistics;
- have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credits in their undergraduate degree;
- submit a resume demonstrating related work and/or volunteer experiences and accomplishments related to recreational therapy interventions, populations, programs, and/or processes;
- write a personal statement that
- describes goals for your graduate studies and your professional career (if appropriate, describe your relevant professional experience);
- tells why you are pursuing a graduate degree, and in what ways your degree would contribute to your future and/or career; and
- identify your specialty/practice area of interest;
- provide two graduate program recommendation forms, one from an instructor/professor and one from a professional; and
- participate in an interview, if requested.