Master of Science in Recreation with an Emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation Online

Broaden your expertise and follow your passion into therapy for adults and children in a variety of settings.

Apply by: 1/3/25
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Discover the Northwest online therapeutic recreation degree

Prepare for leading roles in recreational therapy with the real-world abilities you'll gain in the M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation online program from Northwest Missouri State University. Develop a well-rounded background applicable to adaptive youth sports, adult therapies, care agencies—and more.

In this online recreation master's program, your studies will includes strength-based practices and interventions, psychological theories in recreational therapy, and managerial functions. Our core coursework covers broader topics such as data analytics, risk management, grant writing, and human resources.

The M.S. in Recreation with an Emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation does not cover all requirements for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam. You may need up to 15 extra credit hours and a 560-hour internship, available separately at Northwest.

Our online students may also join campus associations and student organizations, such as the Health Science and Wellness Future Professionals, to broaden networking opportunities with peers.

Therapeutic recreation job opportunities:

  • Recreational Therapist
  • Wellness Coordinator
  • Activities Director
  • Specialty Camp Director/Manager
  • Recreational Therapist
  • Wellness Coordinator
  • Activities Director
  • Specialty Camp Director/Manager

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Also available

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online degree options. Check out our other online graduate programs.

Total Tuition $11,730*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30
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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

Our M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation online programs offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
M.S. Recreation – Therapeutic Recreation $391 $1,173 $11,730

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $11,730*
Per Credit Hour $391

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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45
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

See the important dates for our students

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/7/2410/10/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/6/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/21/254/24/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 1/3/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

Find your fit for our therapeutic recreation degree online

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:

  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript from a regionally accredited institution OR an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA on six hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
  • Documentation of ONE of the following:
    • Score of 280 or higher on GRE combined score
      • OR
    • 3.0 Overall undergraduate GPA
      • OR
    • Two years of documented full-time employment (minimum average 30 hours per week) in the field of study
      • OR
    • Successful completion of another master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with at least a 2.75 GPA

If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.

Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

The degree plan for our therapeutic recreation online master’s program

For the therapeutic recreation degree online program, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 18 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of emphasis courses.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Familiarizes the student with appropriate assessment/evaluation techniques as they are utilized in various leisure service settings. Techniques related to the delivery of recreation programs, park and recreation resources, and personnel are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those assessment/evaluation skills used by leisure professionals to determine the extent to which programmatic and organizational goals and objectives have been achieved.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to familiarize students with tasks common to mid-level managers in the field. Offers opportunities to confront ethical issues and discuss possible solutions in the context of information learned in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to present-day methods and techniques of research, applicable to the fields of health, physical education and recreation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Basic foundation of data analysis covering descriptive and inferential statistics and how to use these to improve practice and research and to appropriately assess findings. Covers both parametric and nonparametric applications to the health, physical education, recreation and dance fields.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to give students a basic understanding of their legal responsibilities as teachers, coaches, trainers and recreation professionals to provide a safe environment for those they serve and to develop an understanding of the law and how it may apply to the rights of students, special populations, women and coworkers.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Acquaints students with the vocabulary, concept and practices in the study of grants administration and management. Enables practicing the skills necessary in obtaining outside funding and provides awareness of the individual roles and agencies within public funding.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course is designed to promote the exploration of therapeutic recreation practice from a strengths-based approach. Practice models, theories, and the therapeutic recreation process will be examined from the strengths perspective. Implications related to a paradigm shift from traditional medical models toward the strengths approach will be explored. Practical application will be the focus of discussion assignments, weekly written assignments, and exams. Students will also examine implications for their own professional development, their personal philosophy for practice, and future professional goals.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to familiarize students with existing trends in therapeutic recreation programming, to discuss current legal issues, current societal attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, trends within the healthcare delivery system and other current trends and issues related to therapeutic recreation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to general managerial functions and useful theories in administration of Therapeutic Recreation programs. Major topics include financial management, personnel (including volunteers and interns) management, quality improvement, and marketing.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed for graduate-/advanced-level students studying Therapeutic Recreation. In Psychological Aspects of Therapeutic Recreation, various psychology-based theories and frameworks relevant to the application of therapeutic recreation practice and interventions will be explored. Students will develop a detailed understanding of presented theories and apply this knowledge as they develop therapeutic recreation interventions that are intended to enhance the psychological well-being of clients.

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

**Most software will be free for student use, but there might be nominal fees associated with some of these.

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