Application Deadline: February 1st

Recreational therapy is the specialized application of recreation, leisure, and experiential activities and interventions to maintain or improve the health, functioning, and quality of life for people with disabilities and chronic conditions.

• The program is the only recreational therapy master's program in Michigan and the first advanced-practice program in the U.S. within a college of health professions.
• 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.
• The nationally recognized curriculum offers 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.

Priority Application Deadline: February 1st 

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited university
  •  Completed prior to the start of the MSRT 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. 
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credits in their undergraduate degree. 
• Submit a resume. 
  • Demonstrate related work and/or volunteer experiences and accomplishments related to recreational therapy interventions, populations, programs, and/or processes. 
• Write a personal statement describing: 
  • Goals for your graduate studies, professional career, and relevant professional experience if applicable 
  • Why are you pursuing a graduate degree? In what ways would your degree contribute to your future and/or career? 
  • Identification of your specialty/practice area of interest. 
• Submit two graduate program recommendation forms, 
  • one from an instructor/professor and one from a professional; and 
• Participate in an interview if requested. 

Admission into the Master of Science in Recreational Therapy program is competitive. The maximum class size for hybrid classes is 20. Priority is given to application materials received by February 1st with courses beginning in August. Applications are reviewed by the Recreational Therapy faculty and ranked on a total score basis. The top 20 candidates are offered seats in the program. If any original candidate declines admission, an alternate candidate will be selected based on their total application score.