Recreational Therapy
Program Overview
On campus Recreational Therapy program Online Recreational Therapy program
The University of Toledo offers the only CARTE-accredited fully online undergraduate program in Recreational Therapy in the nation.
Our interactive courses are delivered through Blackboard’s advanced online learning platform, designed to enhance engagement and accessibility. Students have access to robust learning resources, live and recorded lectures, and direct faculty interaction through video chats and discussion sessions.
As a student in UToledo’s Recreational Therapy program, you’ll explore the therapeutic value of recreation and leisure activities, including adaptive physical activity, therapeutic arts, and community-based interventions. You’ll also complete fieldwork and internship experiences anywhere in the country, at top healthcare systems, rehabilitation centers, and community agencies.
Graduates are prepared for meaningful careers in:
- Physical and Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Veterans Administration Hospitals
- Geriatric and Pediatric Services
- Community and Residential Programs for Individuals with Disabilities
- Centers for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Camps and Nonprofit Organizations serving diverse populations
What Does a Recreational Therapist Do?
Recreational Therapists (RTs) use evidence-based recreation and leisure interventions to help individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities improve their health, independence, and quality of life.
They collaborate with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans that promote recovery, functional independence, and community integration. According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), the goal of Recreational Therapy is to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate to improve functioning and overall well-being.
Common therapeutic interventions include:
- Leisure education and counseling
- Values clarification
- Bibliotherapy
- Horticulture therapy
- Therapeutic community re-integration
- Humor therapy
- Therapeutic use of touch
- Relaxation techniques
- Physical activity and exercise
- Aromatherapy
- Tai chi
- Assertiveness training
- Social skills training
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Aquatic therapy
- Creative arts therapy
- Reality orientation
- Validation therapy
- Remotivation therapy
- Sensory training
- Self-esteem training
- Reminiscence therapy
Program Details
Students begin as Pre-Recreational Therapy majors and may apply to the Professional Sequence in their sophomore year. Admission is competitive. The program includes required fieldwork experiences that prepare students for their culminating internship in therapeutic recreation, bridging classroom learning with real-world practice.
Staying Connected
Students are encouraged to attend the Recreational Therapy Majors’ Meeting and Orientation held every fall, either on campus or virtually. Throughout the year, students engage in intervention nights, social events, and professional development sessions, building a strong network with peers and practitioners. Opportunities to connect with faculty and attend national and state Recreational Therapy conferences are also available.
Professional Licensure and Certification
Graduates of UToledo’s B.S. in Recreational Therapy program meet the educational requirements
to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam.
Our students consistently achieve pass rates well above the national average.
NCTRC Exam Pass Rate as reported on the NCTRC Comprehensive School Reports
| Year | University of Toledo Pass Rate | National Average Pass Rate |
| 2020-2022 | 82.4% | 77.4% |
| 2021-2022 | 86.8% | 77.1% |
| 2023 | 100% | 77.8% |
| 2023/2024 | 84.6% | 79.6% |
Some states also require professional licensure to practice as a Recreational Therapist. Please visit the Professional Licensure page for more details. Students planning to practice outside Ohio should contact Program Director/Advisor Holly Eichner to review state-specific requirements.
