May 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Recreation Therapy, B.S.


Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy (120 units)

This degree is approved for distance education by the WSCUC.

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy is a program that prepares individuals to plan, organize, and direct recreational activities designed to promote health and well-being for individuals with disabling conditions and other limitations. In particular, upon the completion of the program, students will be eligible to take both state (CA) and national recreation therapy certification.

Students intending to transfer from community colleges to this University are advised to complete general education requirements while attending the community college. Courses equivalent to H SC 150 BIOL 207 , BIOL 208 , PSY 100  should be taken while attending community college if offered. Other recreation courses taken at community colleges cannot be substituted for upper-division recreation courses.

Careers 

Recreational therapists hold about 20,000 jobs in the states. The largest employers of recreational therapists are hospitals (e.g., state, local and private), government (e.g., VAs, Correctional Systems, etc.), nursing care facilities (e.g., skilled nursing, assistive living, daily living facilities, etc.), ambulatory healthcare services, and other social and human services. Lately, there is a growing trend for recreational therapists to work in private practice providing services in the home and community as well. Depending on the settings, recreational therapists will be working with diverse populations such as individuals with physical disabilities, older adults, individuals with psychiatric disorders, pediatric patients, youth at risk, and people with developmental or mental disabilities.

Admission Requirements


To be considered for freshman admission to CSULB applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Complete each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C or higher prior to high school graduation.
  2. Graduate from high school by the end of the Spring term prior to Fall enrollment.
  3. Have a minimum “Eligibility Index” to be considered. The “Eligibility Index” is the result of a formula that combines your achievement in high school college preparatory courses with the results of the redesigned SAT, old SAT or ACT

To be considered for transfer admission to CSULB, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0

And, to be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.4
  • Minimum lower division preparation (grade of C or better required): (Major preparation course: PSY 100 - General Psychology)
  • Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:
    • Written Communication
    • Oral Communication
    • Critical Thinking
    • Mathematics if Statistics course above is not GE approved

Degree Requirements (65-74Units)


Recreation Therapy (REC) Courses (18 units): 

Recreation Therapy (RT) Fieldwork and Internship (9-18 units):


Elective Courses (6 units)


Advisor approved elective courses from social sciences and humanities such as Anthropology, Biology, Communication, Dance, Educational Psychology, Gerontology, Health Science, Human Development, Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology.