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 1030
  1130 300 500 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 Jens
• 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
• Childrens Hospitals
• Community Parks Rec
• Elite sports
• Outdoor Programs
• Consulting

14
Final thoughts.

• ASK! Dont try to figure everything out on your
  own
• Everyones 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