Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation SUNY Cortland

Online or on campus, the M.S. degree’s concentration in therapeutic recreation prepares you to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS).

Regardless of their undergraduate major — anything from art to English to the natural sciences — students can pursue their 34-credit master’s degree.

Our M.S. concentration in therapeutic recreation, which can be pursued in person or fully online, prepares students to become Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS). We also offer a six-course online certificate for professionals who require the necessary coursework to become a CTRS. Those courses can be applied to the M.S. if students wish to continue their studies at SUNY Cortland.

Students finish their studies with an internship that integrates theory with practice. They choose from an array of clinical or community-based settings and work under the guidance of a CTRS and faculty supervisor.

NCTRC, the national certifying body for therapeutic recreation, offers the NCTRC scholarship. Individuals may apply for an NCTRC Scholarship for full or partial reimbursement of funds associated with successful completion (earned grade of C or better) of academic credit generating course(s) completed within the past 12 months. Academic courses must lead to an application for Professional Eligibility, recertification of their CTRS® credential, Area of Specialization Designation, progress toward advancing a degree in TR/RT, or enhanced recreational therapy knowledge to provide improved quality of care.

Exceptional Faculty

Lynn Anderson, Susan Barnett, Jackie Dyke, and Susan Wilson serve as professors for most therapeutic recreation courses. They all are award-winning, nationally-recognized experts in the fields of outdoor, therapeutic, and inclusive recreation who boast impressive records of scholarship and service. Because our classes are small and our student-centered approach, you will get the guidance you need.