1. Major Academic Plan (MAP)
Associate in Arts
BA in Therapeutic Recreation
(101 credits)
Physical Education, Health, and Recreation Department
College of Arts, Letters, and Education
Why study Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists are involved in helping individuals with disabilities or illnesses learn the skills necessary to develop satisfying leisure lifestyles. By using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animal assisted therapy, sports, games, dance and movement, and community outings, the Recreation Therapist helps individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively.
Career Opportunities
As an allied health professional, a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist would work in the following settings:
Rehabilitation facilities (dealing with head injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and orthopedics)
Psychiatric hospitals
State institutions (for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities)
Corrections
Group homes
Camps for individuals with disabilities
Long-term care
Treatment centers for substance abuse
Community parks and recreation departments
Program Director and Advisor
Dr. Emily Messina
200 PE Building
Cheney, WA 99004
Department Chair
Matthew Chase, Ph.D
PE Building, Pec 249
Department Assistant
Colleen Mastel
200 PE Building
Cheney, WA 99004
Sample Careers
Recreation Therapist

2. AA-DTA Degree Requirements with Suggested Classes that Fulfill EWU Prerequisites/Requirements
LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE COURSES
E.W.U. COURSE EQUIVALENT
COMMUNICATIONS (15 credits)
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5)
ENGL 101 College Composition: Exposition and Argument (5)
ENGL& 102 English Composition II (5)
ENGL 201 College Composition: Analysis, Research, Document (5)
QUANTITATIVE/SYMBOLIC REASONING (5 credits)
Consult your advisor for course options.
HUMANITIES (15 credits)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (15 credits)
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5)
PSYC 201 Lifespan Psychology (5)
PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5)
PSYC 302 Abnormal Psychology (5)
NATURAL SCIENCES (15 credits)
BIOL& 241 Human A&P 1 (5)
BIOL 233 Human A&P Non-Bio. Majors (5)
ELECTIVES (25 credits)
BIOL& 242 Human A&P 2 (5)
BIOL 234 Human A&P Non-Bio. Majors (5)
DIVERSITY (5 credits)
See courses listed below labeled “DIV*”
The courses listed below transfer to satisfy EWU Graduation Requirements and can be taken before or during the major program
Foreign Language Two full years of high school-level or one full year of college-level credit is required for graduation.
Cultural Diversity (one course)
ART 206 Arts of the Americas: DIV* (5)
CDS 202 Chemical Dependency Counseling with Diverse Populations (3)
HIST& 215 Women in U.S. History: DIV* (5)
HUM 164 Lifestyles (5)
SOC 225 Race and Ethnicity: DIV* (5)
International Studies (one course)
ENVS 150 Environment and Society: DIV * (5)
HIST 205 History of East Asia: DIV* (5)
HUM 210 Myths and Rites: DIV* (5)
POLS 107 Comparative Government (5)
POLS& 203 International Relations (5)