Online Bachelor of Science Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy: Recreational Therapy Track

What sets the RRT degree at FIU apart from other universities?  Our innovative program is intentionally designed to provide students with exciting learning opportunities. Some of the highlights of our degree include:  

• Only RT degree available in the state of Florida 

• Two tracks (Rehabilitation Track and Recreational Therapy Track) for more flexibility to meet your career and education goals 

• Fully online degree option 

• Stand-alone degree rather than a track 

• Focus on experiential education and hands-on learning experiences 

• Opportunities to learn novel recreational therapy modalities such as scuba diving, yoga, validation therapy, aquatics, therapeutic drumming, reiki, aroma therapy 

• Diverse faculty and student population 

• FIU is geographically located in a vibrant city with access to year-round outdoor leisure and recreation opportunities.  

• Florida is the state with the largest population of older adults.  

Recreational Therapy is a fast-growing profession. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S Department of Labor, employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than average for all occupations. The increase in the number of aging adults is generating recreational therapy jobs nationwide, but especially in Florida as Florida is the state with the highest percentage of persons ages 65 and over.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy: Recreational Therapy Track choose careers pathways in physical medicine and rehabilitation agencies, schools, behavioral/mental health facilities, military services organizations, community-based and disability organizations, assisted living facilities, adapted sports programs, parks and recreation departments, government, and home healthcare.

The Recreational Therapy Track prepares students to be eligible for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) via NCTRC’s academic path. Recreational Therapy jobs are growing due to the prevalence of disability in our society. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have some type of disability. The curriculum in the recreational therapy track emphasizes the role of recreational therapy in the healthcare team through treatment, education, and the provision of recreation and leisure-based interventions – all of which are instrumental to improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional, & social functioning, preventing secondary health conditions, and enhancing quality of life. 

What is a CTRS?  

A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is a certified recreational therapist who has demonstrated professional competence by acquiring a specific body of knowledge and passing the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam and is the most qualified professional to provide recreational therapy services. A CTRS often serves as a member of the healthcare treatment team with other healthcare professionals. 

What is NCTRC?    

The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is the premiere credentialing organization for the field of recreational therapy. NCTRC sets standards for certification including education, experience, and continuing professional development. FIU’s RRT program is based off NCTRC standards.  

How do I become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)?  

Students who graduate from the Recreational Therapy Track are eligible for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) via NCTRC’s academic path, to work as a recreational therapist right after graduation.

A license is required to practice recreational therapy in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah. Licensure is a legal, non-voluntary process regulated by state government. This means that in states that have RT licensure, you cannot practice without a license. If you reside in any of these states, please ensure you investigate the licensure details and contact the appropriate State Department/Agency for further information.

For more information on the Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy program please visit the FIU Course Catalog. If you would like to view the specific courses related to the program, please use the breadcrumbs on the Course Catalog to go back and select the “Courses” tab.

For more information on the admissions process and how to apply please visit the FIU Admissions website.

We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.

Lauren Ortega: Lauren Ortega, MS, CTRS, earned her B.S in Physical Education: Sports and Fitness Studies and her M.S in Recreation and Sport Management: Recreational Therapy from FIU. After getting her M.S. in RT, she started working at FIU as the Internship Coordinator for the Recreational Therapy program. Then, she went to work as an Activities Director at a nursing and rehabilitation center in Miami, FL. Currently she is the Director of the Recreational Therapy Internship Program at FIU and a member of ATRA (American Therapeutic Recreation Association). She has also served as a visiting instructor for the program. Director Ortega also works part time as a Recreational Therapist for Strive Recreational Therapy Services. She has done 1 poster presentation at a ATRA National Conference in 2013 and she has, furthermore, co-authored a chapter on Equine Assisted Therapy in the textbook, Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation (Dattilo & McKenney, 2016). Major areas of interest within RT include Equine Assisted Therapy, Special Olympics, Aquatics, SCUBA therapy, and Paralympics. 

Tonia Porter: Tonia Porter, MS, CTRS/LRT earned her bachelor’s degree in Brain, Behavior & Cognitive Science from University of Michigan and master’s degree in Recreational Therapy Administration from East Carolina University, and is a registered yoga instructor. Porter began her recreational therapy career working in inpatient rehabilitation at Shands Rehab Hospital during which time she co-founded a non-profit organization called Warrior Institute. Warrior Institute provides outdoor recreation programs combined with biofeedback training to military service members, veterans and their families. Porter enjoys introducing individuals to outdoor adventure and facilitating RT programs in nature. She joined FIU for the first time from 2015-2018 and then spent a couple years working between North Carolina and Alaska, happily returning to FIU faculty in 2020.  

Tania Santiago Perez: Tania Santiago Perez, MS, CTRS, has been an Assistant Teaching Professor of Recreational Therapy at Florida International University since 2015, and the leader of the Recreational Therapy tracks since 2018. She earned her B.S. in Exercise and Sports Sciences in 2010, and her M.S. in Recreation and Sport Management, Recreational Therapy track in 2013. She is currently on her third year of doctoral studies at Clemson University in the PhD in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Recreational Therapy cognate area. Her dissertation involves investigating the relationship between scuba social identity and levels of self-efficacy, socio-psycho-bio health, and health-related quality of life among individuals with physical disabilities. Tania has published one article in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, and has an article in press in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Also, she has 3 conference proceedings and 10 presentations at recreational therapy state, regional, and national conferences.  

Tania started her professional career at a nonprofit organization working as a Recreation and Sports Coordinator. After getting her master’s degree, she worked at an Assisted Living Facility helping older adults with neurocognitive conditions. Then, she went to Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces where she worked as a Recreational Therapist with a variety of populations including children and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, children with physical disabilities and/or visual impairments, and veterans.  During her time at FIU, Tania has taught over 60 courses in 8 different topic areas and has co-founded three community programs with students and community partners: 1) a handcycling program for adults with physical disabilities, 2) a soccer program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and 3) a virtual adult day training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tania has served as reviewer for the American Therapeutic Recreation Research Institute since 2015, as board member for the South Florida Paralympic Partners since 2015, as secretary and senator for the United Faculty of Florida-FIU Chapter since 2017, as member of the Faculty Senate Interprofessional Ad Hoc Committee since 2019, as board member of the Therapeutic Scuba Institute since 2019, and as member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association International Committee since 2020.  

Tania has received several FIU awards including the 2017 CASE Engagement Award, the 2018, 2019 & 2020 CASE Service Awards, and the 2019 Top Scholar Award for Teaching and Mentorship.

Emily Messina, PhD, CTRS: Emily Messina is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy at FIU. Messina received her BS and MS in Recreation Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Florida. She has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 2004. She completed her doctoral degree in Public Health (emphasis in social behavioral health science) at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Messina’s research focuses on the benefits of recreation and leisure for marginalized population groups, particularly those within the criminal justice system, behavioral health settings, and those experiencing housing insecurity.

Amelia Saul, PhD, LRT/CTRS: Dr. Amelia D. Saul, LRT/CTRS recently graduated from East Carolina University with her PhD in Addiction and Rehabilitation Studies. Her PhD Dissertation examined the effectiveness of a 2-week at-home paced breathing intervention to reduce anxiety in college students. Prior to receiving her PhD, Dr. Saul studied Recreational Therapy and Recreational Therapy Administration. Dr. Saul is also the Past President of the North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association. Her research interests include examining anxiety and depression in college students, assessing effectiveness of evidence-based stress management techniques, utilizing biofeedback technology to assess coping mechanisms, and implementation of prevention mechanisms for people with a family history of cardiovascular disease.