Therapeutic Recreation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Therapeutic Recreation is a specialized field focused on using structured recreational activities to support the physical, emotional, and cognitive recovery of individuals with disabilities or health challenges. This program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to design and implement personalized leisure experiences that enhance quality of life, foster independence, and promote holistic well-being.
- Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation: Explores the historical, theoretical, and philosophical underpinnings of using recreation as a tool for healing and rehabilitation across diverse populations.
- Leisure Education and Counseling: Teaches strategies to help individuals develop meaningful leisure lifestyles, including self-awareness, goal setting, and decision-making in recreational contexts.
- Program Planning and Implementation: Focuses on designing, organizing, and evaluating recreational interventions tailored to individual needs and therapeutic objectives.
- Therapeutic Recreational Modalities: Covers a range of evidence-based techniques—such as arts and crafts, music, sports, and adventure therapy—used to achieve specific health outcomes.
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology: Provides essential understanding of human body systems to inform safe and effective activity design for individuals with physical impairments.
- Psychology and Human Behavior: Examines cognitive, emotional, and behavioral principles relevant to working with individuals experiencing mental or emotional challenges.
- Medical Terminology: Builds proficiency in the language of healthcare to improve communication with medical professionals and understand patient conditions.
- Human Growth and Development: Studies developmental stages across the lifespan to adapt recreational programming for children, adolescents, and older adults.
- Patient Observation and Evaluation: Trains students in assessing client needs, tracking progress, and modifying interventions based on individual responses.
- Special Needs Populations: Addresses the unique requirements of individuals with physical disabilities, neurological conditions, psychiatric disorders, and developmental challenges.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Emphasizes legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing practice in therapeutic recreation settings.
Therapeutic Recreation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Therapeutic Recreation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Therapeutic Recreation degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Recreational Therapists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 244,780 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Recreational Therapists 29-1125 | $60,280 | $39,520 - $96,600 | 15,060 | $28.98 |
Therapeutic Recreation Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $126,920 in District of Columbia—a 164% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arkansas, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 244,780 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Therapeutic Recreation by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 52 institutions offering Therapeutic Recreation programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Therapeutic Recreation is found at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (49 graduates), Temple University (45 graduates), University of Wisconsin (UWL), La Crosse (43 graduates), CUNY Lehman College (38 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (36 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 722 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Southern University and A & M College (SUBR) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | subr.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | wssu.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Longwood University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Farmville, Virginia | Public | longwood.edu |
| Aurora University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Aurora, Illinois | Private | aurora.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
12 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| Fremont University |
Associate's
|
11 | Cerritos, California | Private | fremont.edu |
| Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | vwu.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
8 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Catawba College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Private | catawba.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| CUNY Bronx Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Bronx, New York | Public | bcc.cuny.edu |
| Prescott College (PC) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Associate's
|
5 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Morganton, North Carolina | Public | wpcc.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Private | indianatech.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Associate's
|
3 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sparkill, New York | Private | stac.edu |
| Utica University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Other Award
|
3 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| University of St Francis (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Joliet, Illinois | Private | stfrancis.edu |
| Unity Environmental University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Gloucester, Maine | Private | unity.edu |
| Regis College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Weston, Massachusetts | Private | regiscollege.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Therapeutic Recreation programs
How much can I earn with a Therapeutic Recreation degree?
Salaries for Therapeutic Recreation graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Recreational Therapists earn around $60,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $126,920 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 244,780 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Therapeutic Recreation programs?
Currently 52 accredited institutions offer Therapeutic Recreation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (49 graduates), Temple University (45 graduates), and University of Wisconsin (UWL), La Crosse (43 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Therapeutic Recreation growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 613 in 2010 to a peak of 969 in 2020, before declining slightly to 722 in 2023-24. This represents a 18% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Therapeutic Recreation degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Recreational Therapists, . Related occupations employ approximately 244,780 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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