Recreational Therapy
Student resources
Recreational Therapy program resources
Thesis & projects
Recreational Therapy graduate students who are certification-eligible may choose from one of two capstone options for their degree program: thesis or project. Students who are not certification-eligible must complete an internship for their capstone. Please see the Internship section below for more information on this option!
A thesis is a research project resulting in a bound publication explaining the study and its results. A thesis committee consists of a faculty advisor and two other committee members. A project, while not necessarily a research project, is an extensive undertaking. A project committee consists of only one person, the student's project advisor.
Useful Information
Students conducting research will be interested in the following:
Graduate research and travel grants
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Examples of theses and projects include:
Kirschbaum, L. Acquiring Multisensory Environment Training as Professional Development and Implementation for Internship. Masters in Therapeutic Recreation, May 2009, 56 pp.
Miyata, O. A Compendium of Literature on Chemical Dependency for the Leisure and Well Being Model. MS in Therapeutic Recreation, August 2008, 82 pp.
Ertel, J. Pre-trip Training: An Integral Component of Integrated Adventure Programming. MS in Therapeutic Recreation, August 2008, 93 pp.
Fahey, J. The Evaluation and Revision of Leisure Resources Modules for Adult Males with Mental Illnesses. MS in Therapeutic Recreation, May 2007, 190 pp.
Internships
General Overview
- 15 week full time internship
- Supervised by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- Helps the individual transition from student to professional
- Helps the individual develop applied professional competence
Specifics concerning the RT internship
General Guidelines
- The internship experience is a fifteen-week, and 600 hour field placement between the student, an approved agency site with a CTRS supervisor, and a university supervisor who is a CTRS and faculty member.
- The purpose of the experience is to develop interns' competence in the job tasks of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist as a sitting requirement for NCTRC's certification examination.
Information for Agencies Who Want To Become An Approved Site
- If you desire to supervise UW-La Crosse RT interns, please complete the Internship Site Questionnaire after you contact Tara DeLong, Internship Coordinator to see if you meet preliminary requirements (at least two full-time CTRSs who have been in their position for two years or more, comprehensive program delivery, evidence of active involvement in professional organizations, and a planned arrangement to provide daily or weekly clinical supervision to interns beyond managerial supervision.)
- To inquire about exceptions to these requirements, receive material for designing an internship program, or to become an approved site, contact
Tara DeLong. - Upon faculty acceptance of the application, an affiliation agreement must be negotiated. The RMRT Department provides this standard affiliation agreement but will negotiate agency-derived agreements pending the UW-La Crosse risk manager's review.
Information for Prospective Interns
- Students learn procedures and etiquette for securing internships in RTH 496 Orientation To Internship.
- Each student applies to approved sites that match their interest in populations/settings, and secures a student contract.
- Upon acceptance by an approved agency site, students complete the RTH 498 Internship Contract or RTH 700 Internship Contract. Signed contracts are forwarded to the Internship Coordinator, for review.
For more information about internship procedures, please contact Tara DeLong at 608.785.8203 or by email .
Program forms
Advising
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the graduate program cost?
Check out our program's Cost to attend and financial aid page for information on the cost and what we offer to help pay for graduate school at UWL.
Is there tuition reciprocity for students from MN?
Yes! Minnesota residents should complete an Application for Reciprocity Fee Status, to be considered for a lower tuition rate than other non-residents. Learn more on the Financial Aid Office's Graduate Tuition & Fees page.
Can I apply for an out-of-state fee waiver?
Yes! For more information and to apply, contact the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Kate Evans.
How long does the program take?
There are several factors in determining how long it takes to complete the Masters in Therapeutic Recreation. Of course, the number of undergraduate deficiencies has an impact. So does the complexity of a student's research (if he or she chooses to complete a thesis or project). Certainly students already certified in Therapeutic Recreation complete their program more quickly than students who are using the graduate program to be certified-eligible. If a student attends full-time, he or she probably will take anywhere from a calendar year (fall, spring, summer) to two years (fall, spring, summer, fall, spring) to complete the program.
Will I have to take a summer class?
Typically, graduate courses in Therapeutic Recreation are not offered during summer sessions.
Is every graduate course offered every semester?
No. Please refer to the Graduate Program Director for the updated schedule of courses.
What is the usual class size?
Graduate students take two kinds of classes, 500-level courses and 700-level courses. 500-level means that graduate students and upper class undergraduates take the course together. These courses usually have 25-35 students in them. 700-level courses are graduate students only. These courses often have about 15 students in them.
Do most students do a thesis or a project?
The best answer to this question is that it does not matter what most other students do. The options exist in order to cater to the needs of a range of students. For example, students who wish to go on for a Ph.D. should do a thesis. Students who need a TR internship to sit for the national examination must do an internship. Projects often are a good option for students currently working in the field; often their place of employment needs a survey, feasibility study, or some other major undertaking that might also serve as a project. In general, however, about half of our graduate students do an internship and about half do either a thesis or project.
What kind of jobs do RT graduates find?
Check out our Careers page for information about what kinds of jobs are available in Recreational Therapy.
UWL graduate student resources
Graduate students should be aware of resources available as well as the policies and guidelines impacting graduate education. Links to this much of this important information are available below. If you can't find what you need below, please contact us, gradstudies@uwlax.edu.
Academic policies
Graduate students must adhere to university policies as well as program specific requirements. University policy information is available within the Graduate Catalog.
For information related to how to make changes in your student status, such as changing program, adding a concentration or certificate, or requesting a time extension for degree completion, please refer to the Changes in student status page on the Graduate Education website.
Campus resources
Graduate students at UWL have access to numerous campus resources. Visit the Campus Life page to learn about services that are available to grad students.
International student resources
International Education & Engagement
International Education & Engagement (IEE)
The International Education & Engagement office team of advisors and knowledgeable student staff are here to offer specialized support for international students.
Grants & scholarships through Graduate & Extended Learning (GEL)
Graduate and Extended Learning with support from the Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee, and the Graduate Student Organization work to provide funding opportunities for our graduate students. The grant writing and scholarship competition processes involved also serve as unique professional development opportunities for students.
Visit the program's Financial Aid page for additional scholarship opportunities.
Representation - Make your voice heard, get involved
As a graduate student, you are eligible to serve on campus committees and to run for Student Association. University involvement can be an important professional development experience during graduate school, we encourage you to check out the opportunities on our Get involved page!
Not sure where to start?
Graduate & Extended Learning is dedicated to helping graduate students from application through commencement. We are here for you throughout your UWL journey. Email your questions to gradstudies@uwlax.edu.