Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation

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.

Momentum Defines SUNY Cortland

You can’t miss the momentum that’s everywhere on the SUNY Cortland campus, whether it's through our active student body involved in research projects, clubs, and organizations or the energy and spirit of the crowds who cheer on our Red Dragon athletic teams. You will love collaborating with your faculty on everything from scholarly pursuits to community service activities. Our devoted alumni participate in programs designed to connect them with current students and return to campus for reunions, athletic events or to be honored by the College. The momentum is in the air. You can feel it!

Uniquely SUNY Cortland

The inspiration to be a champion in every aspect of life — that’s the value of the experiences and education at SUNY Cortland. It’s what makes us unique as a college; it’s what contributes to our success in the classroom, on the field and in the wide range of careers our students choose.

Our Mission

SUNY Cortland is an academic community dedicated to diverse learning experiences. Students grow as engaged citizens with a strong social conscience fostered by outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service.

Our Vision

SUNY Cortland will be a college of opportunity, from which students graduate with the knowledge, integrity, skills, and compassion to excel as leaders, citizens, scholars, teachers, and champions of excellence. Prospective students and employees will choose the College in response to its nationally recognized academic programs, innovation and experiential learning, and the rich intellectual, social, and athletic life on the campus. SUNY Cortland will be a center for intellectual, cultural, and economic growth, distinguished by successful partnerships with organizations, schools, agencies, and businesses throughout the region, the nation, and the world.

Quality of Student Life

You can make plenty of friends and engage in activities, including clubs, organizations, and sports from intercollegiate athletics teams to intramurals or recreation. Our active and fulfilling student life supports and encourages well-being.

Hands-On Learning

Opportunities to apply classroom knowledge while exploring career choices exist in every major. Internships, co-ops, volunteer options, student-teaching placements, field trips, study-abroad research collaborations more provide you with experiences that build professional skills.

Champions

Outstanding academic programs, award-winning athletics, and high-impact learning opportunities create champions in the classroom, in athletic competitions, in serving the community and in preparing you for a profession and rewarding life.

Athletic Excellence

Success for our 25 Red Dragon intercollegiate athletic teams shows up in multiple national team championships and nearly 100 individual national titles — at least one each year since 1986. Our winning momentum continues!

Teacher Education

We offer the largest nationally accredited program on the East Coast, where you'll benefit from extensive teacher observation and early field experiences. Our teacher education program prides itself on a 99 percent pass rate for assessment tests, as well as options for certification in nearly every subject area imaginable.

Sustainability

From composting to solar panels to geothermal energy, SUNY Cortland is committed to reducing energy use. Find out why the CEO of New York Power Authority called SUNY Cortland's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, "Nothing short of extraordinary."