A.S. Degree: Recreation and Recreation Therapy Concentration

 

 

 

Recreation:  Recreation majors work in leadership positions in Parks and Recreation departments on local, state and national levels setting up outdoor and indoor recreational activities throughout the year. In YMCA's, recreation majors will schedule classes, conduct recreational activities and events. Recreation majors working in non-profit Community Centers, Boys Clubs, and Senior Centers will provide recreation and sports leisure services across the life span (from youth to older adults). In addition, recreation majors can start their own business in the field.

Recreation Therapy: Therapeutic Recreation is the use of leisure activities to promote wellness and improve physical, social, mental, and emotional functioning for individuals with various special needs. Recreation therapists provide services in a variety of settings including nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, day centers, and day treatment programs. Services include treatment and therapy programs, leisure education and skill development activities as well as inclusive recreation programming in community settings. In 2014, Forbes identified Recreation Therapy as the number one profession in the country least likely to be replaced by automation.

The Program: in Recreation and Recreation Therapy emphasizes learning by doing. Students take activity skills courses in Arts and Crafts, Social Recreation, and participate in recreational and disability activities among other required courses in our 60 credit degree major. In addition, students complete one semester of 100 hours of supervised fieldwork experience at one of the forty community agencies (including hospitals; nursing homes, YMCA's, Community Centers etc...) with whom our program has fieldwork agreements. These experiences prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to be able to assume a leadership role in recreation and recreation therapy.

Certification: Graduates of the Program continue to work towards their B.S. Degree in Recreation and Recreation Therapy at Lehman and St. Joseph College as well as other area schools. Once students complete their B.A. degree, they can apply to take the National Certification exam. Upon passing, students become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). CTRS's are in great demand! 

Course Requirements for Recreation and Recreation Therapy   
(Note: All courses are 3 credits)

RPE 11 - Introduction to Recreation  
RPE 12 - Leadership In Recreation and Physical Education 
RPE 13 - Social Recreation  
RPE 31 - Therapeutic Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities I 
RPE.32 - Organization and Administration of Recreation 
RPE 34 - Methods and Materials in Arts and Crafts 
RPE 35 - Therapeutic Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities II
RPE 36 - Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation 
RPE 91 - Fieldwork Experience in Physical Education, Recreation and Recreation Therapy 

Students interested in Recreation and Recreation Therapy can call co-director,  
Professor Michele Bracco (718-368-5197) or office phone at 718-368-5831

Email: mbracco@kbcc.cuny.edu

Room: G-306