School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in Therapeutic Recreation are expected to grow the fastest through 2012 in community, residential, and health service settings serving persons with disabilities, senior citizens, or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems. 

Students graduating from the Therapeutic Recreation sequence who have met all the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) requirements are eligible to apply to sit for the examination to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. For more information on Therapeutic Recreation program, please consult the Illinois State University undergraduate catalog.

Download an application to the Recreation and Park Administration. You can specify in the application that you are selecting Therapeutic Recreation.

Examples of Senior Internship Sites:

  • Glen Oaks Hospital and Medical Centers (Glendale Heights, IL)
  • Veteran's Administration Medical Center (Danville, IL)
  • Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (North Aurora, IL)
  • Van Matre Rehabilitation (Rockford, IL)
  • St. Joseph Hospital (Elgin, IL)
  • Alexian Brothers Medical Center (Elk Grove, IL)
  • Wilmar Regional Treatment Center (Wilmar, MN)
  • Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services (Wassaic, NY)

Employment Settings for Therapeutic Recreation Professionals:

  • Special recreation associations
  • Hospitals
  • Mental health centers
  • Substance abuse facilities
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • Residential and group homes
  • Long term care facilities

Expected Salaries of Therapeutic Recreation Professionals:

Entry-level $26,000-34,000
Experienced $40,000
Highly experienced $65,000

 

Examples of Position Titles of our Therapeutic Recreation Graduates:  

  • Therapeutic recreation specialist
  • Recreation therapist
  • Department director
  • Department supervisor
  • Inclusion coordinator
  • Program specialist
  • Activity coordinator
  • Activity therapist

Certification Opportunities

Students graduating from this program are immediately eligible to apply to sit for the examination to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Professional Organizations in Therapeutic Recreation