Bachelor of Science - Recreation Services, Sport and Hospitality Management - Therapeutic Recreation

The Therapeutic Recreation emphasis prepares students for supervisory and leadership positions in various hospital, private and community-based organizations delivering care as recreation therapists to individuals with various disabilities and ability levels. Recreational therapists work with a variety of individuals requiring health services such as: physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental and behavioral health, addictions, veterans and developmental disabilities. Students completing the Therapeutic Recreation emphasis allows them to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Exam.

Pittsburg State University is the only Therapeutic Recreation collegiate program in the state of Kansas. The Ability Lab at Pittsburg State University serves as an experiential classroom that helps prepare Therapeutic Recreation and Recreation students for their chosen fields. The lab is equipped with tools to help further the educational experience for Therapeutic Recreation majors. Equipment includes but not limited to, a custom designed hand-cycle to give Therapeutic Recreation students hands-on experience with operating the cycle and an understanding of specific skills needed in order to ride; goal balls and beeper ball, both sports for individuals with visual impairments; and wheelchairs to provide students opportunities to simulate sports such as wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. Community residents are also welcomed to the lab in order for Therapeutic Recreation students to implement various interventions to gain valuable hands-on experience.