RT at Temple

Recreational Therapy (RT) utilizes activity-based interventions to prevent health conditions, as well as address the assessed needs of individuals with health conditions, as a means to maximize health, recovery, and well-being.

Temple’s RT program is ranked #1 on the College Factual’s Best Schools for Recreational Therapy in the United States and Pennsylvania.

Temple’s RT program within the Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences is highly regarded nationally for excellence in teaching and research. Faculty are established leaders in advancing RT as a health and human service discipline and have been recognized with numerous professional awards. Our pass rate for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam to become a nationally certified recreational therapist is consistently above the national average. In 2023, we had a 100% NCTRC exam pass rate (the national average pass rate was 85%). Because of Temple’s outstanding reputation for quality, RT students do very well in both internship and employment opportunities. Another good reason to choose Temple is “location, location, location.” Philadelphia is the third-highest employer of recreational therapists in the United States. The metropolitan Philadelphia area offers students a “living classroom” comprised of many diverse health care and human services agencies. Students affiliate with agencies for course projects, internship placements, and career-related paid employment.

Degrees

Temple University offers a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, an accelerated 4+1 Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Recreational Therapy, and a fully online Master of Science in Recreational Therapy.

If you are interested in learning more about the Bachelor’s degree, contact the RT Undergraduate Program Director, Aurora Verlin at aurora.verlin@temple.edu. If you are interested in learning more about the accelerated 4+1 program or the Master’s degree, contact the RT Graduate Program Director, Gena Vargas at gena.vargas@temple.edu.

Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Research and Practice

The Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University is committed to the advancement of the Recreational Therapy profession through the translation of knowledge to students, practitioners, health care administrators, and policy makers.

Mission Statement

The Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University prepares graduates who value strategic health-focused, interprofessional, and research-grounded services and respect diversity of location, language, and culture. We generate research and scholarship that advances health and rehabilitation practices, and we provide graduates with opportunities to acquire and create knowledge and skills necessary to serve as effective practitioners, researchers, administrators and leaders in dynamic community and healthcare environments.

Student Spotlights

Temple University RT students are doing wonderful things in the world! Check out what some of them are doing.

Student Voices

Hear what Temple University RT students are saying about the RT Program at Temple.