MS in Recreation Sciences: Recreational Therapy Concentration

MS in Recreation Sciences: Recreational Therapy Concentration

The recreational therapy administration concentration will prepare you to do just that, in a wide range of clinical and community-based settings. You’ll develop expertise by directing your interests to physical rehabilitation, behavioral/ mental health, geriatrics, pediatrics, or in youth development. The concentration in recreational therapy administration provides advanced education for clinical, administrative, and research positions in recreational therapy and healthcare-related careers. Classes focused on administrative and managerial skills, programming, documentation, assessment, and evaluation of evidence-based approaches will prepare you for leadership in the field.

Students in the recreational therapy administration concentration will have the opportunity to earn graduate certificates at ECU such as the Biofeedback Certificate and take available courses related to Leisure, Aging & Health and Disability & Adaptive Sport which prepares students for the Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sport Specialist (CARSS) certification exam. Students will also have the opportunity to be engaged in programs and research being conducted among three Affiliated Research Labs (see the links below) as well as through collaborations and other innovative areas of expertise with recreational therapy faculty (e.g., virtual reality, adaptive recreation and sport, photo voice, etc.).

We accept students who have studied recreational therapy or a related area into the program. Individuals pursuing the recreational therapy administration concentration who do not meet national certification requirements upon admission will be required to take supplemental coursework while enrolled in the graduate program. Be sure to contact one of our recreational therapy liaisons for more information on how to qualify to sit for the national certification exam and how that can be applied to gain licensure in North Carolina and other states that license recreational therapists.

Our graduates find positions as practitioners and administrators in rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, long term care facilities and community-based settings that provide specialized services to individuals with disabilities.

Admission Requirements

Admission to East Carolina University does not guarantee admissions into your desired program of study.

Admission requirements to the MS in Recreation Sciences (Recreational Therapy Administration concentration) at ECU are as follows:

  • A baccalaureate degree in a related field from an institution accredited by a regional association.
  • A grade point average of 2.7 or greater on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work is preferred.
  • Students, whose first language is not English, must achieve an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  • A Statement of Purpose that describes how an MS in Recreation Sciences aligns with one’s career and personal goals.
  • A professional letter of reference from an employer, advisor, mentor, or former professor.

Acceptance is subject to availability of slots in the concentration to which the application is made. For priority review, we encourage application by February 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Recreation Therapy faculty through August 1st.

Affiliated Research Labs

Center for Biofeedback Lab
Sailing Simulation Lab
Sensory and Observation Lab

Program Requirements

The basic curriculum plan for the Master of Science in Recreation Sciences (Recreation Therapy Administration concentration) requires a minimum of 36 s.h. and can be completed in four semesters.

All degree candidates must pass the comprehensive examination related to the course content.  These are completed at the end of each semester where a core course is taken. See the ECU Graduate Catalog to review core and concentration courses that align with plans of study for the Recreational Therapy concentration.

Required Courses

Delivery Methods

This program and required courses are only offered in on-campus and hybrid-online options.

Graduate Assistantships

While pursuing a Masters, many of our students gain valuable hand-on experience in various Graduate Assistantship roles. Graduate assistantships in the Department of Recreation Sciences are available on a competitive basis. A full-time graduate assistantship requires 20 hours per week and pays a minimum of $4500 per semester with some assignments paying higher amounts. In addition, summer session assistantships may also be available. Individuals interested in applying for a graduate assistantship in the Department of Recreation Sciences should request an application from the department chair. Additional GA positions can be found through ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness, Athletics and others. Admitted students will receive priority notification of these opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m an international student, what is the process for applying to your graduate program?

The ECU Recreation Therapy faculty love the perspective that international students can bring to our program. This site will help you navigate the admissions process https://gradschool.ecu.edu/international-students/

What is the most important things faculty look for in an application?

ECU Recreation Therapy faculty will consider the entire applicant package (purpose statement, GPA, references), one piece is not more important than another. It is the entire application package that will be considered by faculty when making a decision for admittance into our graduate program.