Therapeutic Recreation – What to know to graduate

1. Therapeutic Recreation – What to know to graduate Therapeutic Recreation Option Advisor Jennifer Piatt

2. The TR Faculty & Advisors Faculty: • Jen Piatt , CTRS– TR Coordinator • Physical medicine and rehabilitation, inclusive recreation, mental health, adaptive sports camps, Paralympic movement, seniors and wellness • Arlene Krause, CTRS – Part-time Instructor • Non-profit management, advocacy and persons with disabilities, legislation • Jenn Taylor, CTRS- Part-time Instructor • Mental health, youth with diabetes, camps, management of TR services • Kath Pinch – Grad Coordinator • Adventure therapy, outdoor programming for individuals with disabilities, adaptive golf, camps and youth with disabilities, experiential education including ropes courses for individuals with disabilities Advisors: • Jen Piatt (Appointments only August 25 – Sept 5) • Lisa Jorgensen (Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30 – 11:30; 3:00 – 5:00; Wednesday by appointment only) • Beth Erickson (Office Hours: TBA)

3. The basics • Know your catalog rights • Become familiar with graduation requirements • Meet with TR advisor • Bring transcripts from all universities • Be ready to discuss classes and internships • Also, meet with GE advisor (this is separate from the TR advising)

4. Advising orientation • TR curriculum and the NCTRC Job Tasks Analysis • Internship requirements • Certification eligibility • Job prospects

5. Core Classes in the RPTA Major

6. TR Option

7. Deadlines to file for Graduation • Applications are due ONE YEAR prior to graduation • Fall – November 1st • Spring – May 1st • You must have the forms to your advisor at least two weeks prior to the university deadline • TR Grad Check can be downloaded from Jen’s website

8. The Internship

9. Internship requirements • Internship manual is available on the RPTMA website • Takes place after all coursework is complete • Pre-internship hours = 600 • Work directly under the supervision of a CTRS • Internship = 480 hours minimum • 12 consecutive weeks (30 hours per week minimum) • Many sites require additional hours (up to 600 hours) • University clinical contract must be in place prior to internship start date (this can take up to 5 months to complete) • Plan on applying one year prior to internship start date

10. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) • All information for certification can be found at www.nctrc.org. • All courses meet the requirements for eligibility to sit for the NCTRC exam • You can apply and sit for the examination during your internship (strongly recommended!) • Most agencies require national certification prior to employment • Title Protection law in California

11. How to prepare yourself • Start saving now for application fee • $400 for professional eligibility and exam registration • $425 if applying for eligibility prior to degree completion • Application Deadlines for Certification Exam • October 1, 2007 for January 7-11, 2008 exam • February 1, 2008 for May 5-9, 2008 exam • July 1, 2008 for October 6-10, 2008 exam

12. How to prepare yourself cont. • Purchase the NCTRC Exam Study Guide • Print off the application from the NCTRC website and become familiar with what is required • Take practice exams online • Form a study group • Make the commitment to become certified

13. Job Prospects • Veterans Administration • Corrections • Mental Health • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation • State Hospitals • Children’s Hospitals • Community Parks & Rec • Elite sports • Outdoor Programs • Consulting

14. Final thoughts…. • ASK! Don’t try to figure everything out on your own • Everyone’s advising plan is different – your TR buddies plan might be different than yours • Start building your reputation NOW – the field is small – you are already building your professional portfolio • Still have questions? Go to: • http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/piattj/

15. Questions & Comments