Application Opens: October 1st
Priority Application Deadline: February 15th
Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.

The Recreational Therapy program at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a Secondary Admission Program. Transfer students will follow the same process and meet the same criteria. Transfer students should also provide a copy of the course syllabus for any recreation/therapeutic recreation classes they want to transfer to Grand Valley State University.

Application Requirements:

1. GVSU Admissions Undergraduate Application (only required for students who are not currently a GVSU student). Students must be admitted to Grand Valley State University prior to the program application deadline.
    
2. Recreational Therapy Secondary Program Application (use link above) - Please Note: Plan to fully complete and submit this online application in one sitting as it cannot be saved to return to later.
    
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
    
4. Prerequisites - PSY 101 (or plan to complete by program fall start)
    
5. Personal Essay (2-3 pages) - Explain why the applicant has selected this career and what you have done to prepare for it. Include your leadership and work with persons who have disabilities (attach to application)
    
6. Statement of Professional Goals (1-2 pages) - Identify your future goals in this career (attach to application)
   1. How to write a professional goals statement
       
7. Two electronic recommendations:
   • Applicant will provide the full name and email address for their two recommenders in the application. Ensure the email addresses are correct and free of any typos
   • The College of Health Professions Student Services office will send the recommender a link to our electronic recommendation form. Once submitted, the form will be added to the applicant's file.
   • The recommendation link cannot be sent out until after we receive your completed application, therefore you are encouraged to submit your application no later than two weeks before the February 15th application deadline.
   • It is your responsibility and a professional courtesy to notify your recommender in advance that they will be receiving a link from our office and to respond promptly.
      
8. Summary & Verification of Paid/Volunteer Experience in Therapeutic Setting(s) form - Verify 50 hours minimum; 20 of these hours must be completed with a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)/Recreational Therapist (use link above). This form can either be attached to the application OR submitted directly from the supervisor to [email protected].
    
9. Official and updated copies of ALL non-GVSU transcripts need to be sent directly to the Admissions Office at:
   • Grand Valley State University, Attn: Admissions Office, 1 Campus Drive - 150 STU, Allendale, MI 49401,
   • or by email to: [email protected]
      
10. For those applicants not currently enrolled at GVSU or have not yet taken GVSU classes, you should meet with a CHP academic advisor as soon as possible to review your transfer course equivalencies and program eligibility. Go to our CHP Student Services Office website or call our office at (616) 331-5900 to set up a prospective student advising appointment.
     

Electronic submission of application materials is preferred, however if mailing of materials is necessary please use the following address:

College of Health Professions - Student Services
Grand Valley State University 
301 Michigan St NE, Suite #113
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3314

Questions about admissions and applications? 
Call the CHP Student Services Office at (616) 331-5900 or email Emma Woodward at [email protected]

Applicant Notification:
Upon completion of the above requirements, applicants will be notified of provisional admission into the program and asked to set up an advising appointment with a member of the Recreational Therapy faculty to register for the first semester of RTX coursework (RTX 300, RTX 302, RTX 304 & RTX 389). Upon successful completion of these four courses (80% competency/B- in each course), they will be granted full admission into the Recreational Therapy program.