About

Recreation is an essential service to build vibrant communities that foster human connections. These programs and resources provide quality of life and personal growth enhancements for people of all abilities and support healthy lifestyles. Undergraduate students in the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation choose a path in Recreational Therapy or Community Recreation and Event Planning. Undergraduate students with a qualifying GPA may enroll in the Accelerated Master’s Degree program to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.

Job opportunities in all areas are growing at a rate faster than other professions, and recreation professionals enjoy meaningful careers positively impacting their communities. 

Degrees offered

Students complete internships, practicums, and projects with our many local and national partners (e.g., City of Greensboro, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Disney, National Park Service, Boys & Girls Clubs). Completion of a bachelor’s degree from our accredited RT program makes students eligible to become Licensed Recreational Therapists (LRT) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) in a variety of clinical settings. Event planning students develop careers as meeting, wedding, and event planners as self-employed entrepreneurs, or in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Community Recreation students are employed as recreation coordinators and directors, athletic directors, youth development specialists, and campus recreation managers. Graduates can become a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

Degree NameDegree TypeClass Type
Community Recreation and Event PlanningB.S.In-Person
Therapeutic RecreationB.S.In-Person
Community Recreation ManagementM.S.In-Person
Therapeutic RecreationM.S.In-Person
Parks and Recreation ManagementAccelerated B.S. to M.S.In-Person
Community RecreationUndergraduate Minor
Community and Therapeutic RecreationUndergraduate Minor
Event PlanningUndergraduate Minor
Recreational TherapyUndergraduate Minor
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Department highlights

  • CTR students receive significant hands-on experience via active learning in classroom and fieldwork programs, including over 600 practicum and internship hours
  • The curriculum emphasizes the use of recreation to promote individual growth, wellbeing, and quality of life both for the student and those they serve
  • Faculty provide individualized advising and career guidance upon entry to the program
  • The Accelerated Master’s Program is one of only two of its kind in a recreation program in the state of North Carolina
  • Students can begin practice as a certified professional (e.g., LRT, CTRS, CPRP) with only a bachelor’s degree
  • Faculty also hold positions as the Executive Director of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and Chair of the NC Board of Recreational Therapy