Florida International University BS/MS Combined Degree (4+1) RT Track Recreational Therapy Program

Last updated: June 27, 2017 Page 1 of 2

RT Program Admission Requirements:

Current enrollment in the Bachelor’s degree program in the Recreation and Sport Management, Pre-Recreational Therapy/Adaptive Recreation Track.

A the time of the application, the student must have completed or in the process of completing 75-90 credits in this Bachelor’s degree program or an equivalent as approved by the College of Arts, Sciences and Education Advising Center and the RT Program.

Current overall GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Must have completed (and passed with a C or better) LEI 3703 prior to the application process OR be enrolled in LEI 3703 during the application process with the condition that you pass with a C or better and maintain a 3.2 GPA.

International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS is required.

RT Program Application Process: Submit in one email all the application materials below by May 15th (for Fall entry term) OR September 15th (for Spring entry term) to the RT Program Combined BS/MS Degree Coordinator, Tania Santiago-Perez at tsantiag@fiu.edu.

Complete and submit the Application for Admission to the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program form from the FIU Graduate School at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/documents/4plus1-Application.pdf. Directions:

o Open this PDF so that you can type in the form (e.g. open in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC). o The program of study in the drop down menu to apply for is Recreation & Sport Management

(BS/MS) [BSMSRECTH2]. o The student must fill in, sign the form electronically, save, and email as a separate file with the

packet below.

Please submit the following as one PDF packet:

o Current resume

o An essay focusing on the following questions. (The essay will be evaluated on content, writing style, and writing ability and must follow APA style submitting a minimum of one double-spaced page per question.)

1) What are your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree? 2) What are your future career plans? 3) What are your reasons for studying recreational therapy?

o Unofficial transcripts (all university and/or college transcripts)

o Proof of an American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare provider’s CPR Card or an

American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR Card

o Signed Letter of Understanding, which outlines the courses, internship, and skill requirements of the Combined BS/MS Degree RT Track.

Florida International University BS/MS Combined Degree (4+1) RT Track Recreational Therapy Program

Last updated: June 27, 2017 Page 2 of 2

RT Program Approval and Final Submission Process:

After May 15th (for Fall entry term) or September 15th (for Spring entry term), the above application materials/requirements are reviewed by the Coordinator, Ms. Santiago-Perez with a committee of RT Program faculty.

If the entire packet is approved, the Coordinator will electronically sign (along with the student’s electronic signature), the Application for Admission to the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program form as a recommendation to the Graduate School.

The student will be sent this approved/signed form through email by May 25th (for Fall entry term) OR September 25th (for Spring entry term).

The student submits the completed and approved Application for Admission to the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program form with all signatures to the FIU Graduate School along with a non-refundable $30.00 Application Fee, made payable to "Florida International University". This form must be received by June 1st (for Fall entry term) OR October 1st (for Spring entry term) by mail (priority express USPS recommended) at FIU Graduate and International Admissions and Recruitment Services, P.O. Box 659004, Miami, FL 33265-9004 OR in person to PC 230. (Only submit the approved form. Do not send the PDF packet.)

Please note: There is no Summer entry term and the above due dates are different and much earlier for International Applicants

For questions about any of the above application process, contact the

RT Program Combined BS/MS Degree Coordinator, Tania Santiago-Perez at tsantiag@fiu.edu or (305) 348-3220.

General FIU Graduate School FAQ for the Combined BS/MS Degrees (4+1)

Do I need to pay an application fee? Students must pay a $30 non‐refundable fee in order for the combined program application to be processed accordingly.

Can I apply online to the 4 +1 program? Students seeking admissions to a combined program cannot apply online. (See p.2 for more directions.)

What is the 4 + 1 program? The combined 4 + 1 program allows students to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time. If a student were to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree independently it would normally take six years, while a combined program allows a student to earn the same credit in a shorter time period. Combined programs may allow up to 12 credits to be shared between degrees.

Who qualifies for the 4 + 1 program? Students who are currently in their senior year of undergraduate studies (working towards a bachelor’s degree) and have earned 75-90 credits are eligible to apply for the combined program. Students having completed more than 90 credits in a bachelor’s program can only be admitted to a combined bachelor/master’s degree program with the approval of the Dean of the University Graduate School.

How do I apply for the 4 + 1 program? See page 1 and 2. Important FIU Graduate School links: https://gradschool.fiu.edu/documents/FAQs_Graduate_Admissions.pdf http://gradschool.fiu.edu/documents/4plus1-Application.pdf https://policies.fiu.edu/files/118.pdf

Last updated: March 30, 2017 Page 1 of 3

Recreational Therapy Program: BS/MS Combined Degree

Letter of Understanding Directions: Provide your initials beside each item and provide your signature of commitment to the Florida International University Recreational Therapy Program at the end of this letter. ______ I understand and am committed to learning:

Recreational Therapy, also known as Therapeutic Recreation, is a profession that contributes to the broad spectrum of health care through treatment, education, and the provision of adapted recreational opportunities--all of which are instrumental to improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, preventing secondary health conditions, enhancing independent living skills and overall quality of life.

______ I understand the purpose of the Florida International University Recreational Therapy Program under the Combined BS/MS Degree RT Track is to:

Provide a nationally recognized curriculum designed “To prepare competent entry-level recreational therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.” Students are prepared to work in a variety of human service settings, ranging from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing facilities to community parks and recreation centers and are prepared to be eligible to sit and pass the NCTRC certification exam. Students learn from faculty members who are all nationally certified and recreational therapists with many years' experience.

______ I understand that I need to complete the following courses as pre-requisites and receive a C or better in:

Human Anatomy: course and lab ++ 4 credits Human Physiology course ++ 3 credits ++ or combined anatomy and physiology course and lab (4) Human Growth & Development 3 credits

______ I understand that the BS portion of the BS/MS Combined Degree RT Track (4+1) is comprised of the following undergraduate upper degree level courses and three (online only) graduate degree courses (57 credits total). All undergraduate courses must be completed with a C or better and all three graduate courses must be completed with a B or better.

RT Courses (12 credits): LEI 3703: Introduction to RT 3 credits LEI 4711: Assessment, Documentation & Evaluation in RT 3 credits LEI 4724: Facilitation Techniques in RT 3 credits LEI 3723L: RT Facilitation Techniques Lab x 3 1 credit x 3 diff. labs = 3 credits

Core Recreation Courses (12 credits): LEI 3001: Leisure and Recreation in Society 3 credits LEI 3542: Parks, Recreation and Sport Management 3 credits LEI 3707: Inclusive Recreation Services 3 credits LEI 3800: Liability and Law 3 credits

Last updated: March 30, 2017 Page 2 of 3

Support Courses/Electives (6 credits): HSC 3537: Medical Terminology (or equivalent transfer) 3 credit CLP 4146L Abnormal Psychology (or equivalent transfer) 3 credit

RT Graduate Level Courses (9 credits during senior year- ONLINE ONLY): LEI 6726: Trends, Issues, and Management in RT 3 credits LEI 5716: Program Planning in RT 3 credits LEI 6816: Advanced Facilitation Techniques in RT 3 credits

Internship (18 credits: See below for more information): LEI 4940: RT Internship I (160 hours x 2 sites, 3 credits each) 6 credits LEI 4940: RT Internship II (560 hours, 14 weeks x 40 hours/week 12 credits

______ I understand that the MS portion (+1) of the BS/MS Combined Degree RT Track (4+1) is comprised of the following graduate level courses (21-24 credits). All graduate courses are only offered ONLINE and I must earn an overall average GPA of 3.0 in all courses in the graduate degree program.

RT Courses (3 credits): LEI 6725: Administrative Aspects of RT 3 credits

Elective (3 credits) RT graduate advisor approved 3 credits

Core RSM and Research Courses (15-18 credits): LEI 5510: Program Administration in Parks, Recreation and Sport 3 credits LEI 5605: Philosophical and Social Basis of Parks and Recreation Planning 3 credits EDF 5481: Foundations of Educational Research (Prerequisite for EDF 6472) 3 credits EDF 6472: Research Methods in Education: Introduction to Data Analysis 3 credits

OR approved graduate level research course LEI 5907: Directed Study OR LEI 6970 Thesis (RT graduate advisor approved) 3-6 credits

The three graduate RT courses (9 credits) from the BS will count here in the MS too (total 30-33 graduate credits).

______ I understand that only after I complete a total of 120 credits, I can graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in the Recreational Therapy Track and exit from the Combined BS/MS Degree RT Track OR I can continue on to complete my master’s degree in RT in one year (three semesters). _____ I understand that once I complete the bachelor’s degree requirements, I have to apply for graduation during Internship II. After I receive my BS degree, I will be considered a graduate student. ______ I understand that while I am an undergraduate student, I will be taking three graduate level courses. During this time, if I apply for financial aid/Pell grants, I will receive aid that would be equivalent to the total credits as if I was enrolled only at the undergraduate level. I will be responsible for the difference in cost (if it is not covered by additional financial aid). ______ I understand that while I am still completing the BS portion of the combined degree, the program will have to provide me with a permission to register for the graduate level courses. ______ I understand that I am responsible for finding internship placements and am not guaranteed to find a placement in my preferred location, city or setting.

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______ I understand that most internship sites require additional documentation (such as background checks, drug tests, CPR certification, immunizations, etc.) and that there may be additional costs associated and that I am financially responsible for those. ______ I understand that upon completion of my internship (LEI 4941) I must be able to demonstrate the skills and professional competencies outlined in NCTRC job analysis task domains including:

-Establishing professional relationships and responsibilities -Completing assessments -Planning interventions and/or programs -Implementing interventions and/or programs -Evaluating outcomes of the interventions and/or programs -Documenting intervention services -Working within a treatment teams and/or with other service providers -Developing and maintaining programs -Managing therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy services -Creating awareness and advocacy of recreation therapy service

______ I understand that I will be applying to sit for the NCTRC exam during or after I complete LEI 4941: Internship II and the cost of such an application is ~ $400.00.

This Letter of Understanding is to be read and signed by every student upon applying to the Combined BS/MS Degree in the Recreation Therapy Program at FIU when they enter the program and to signify a commitment to learning about recreational therapy and completing the requirements in the BS and/or MS portion of this combined degree. Student Name: ______________________________________________________________________

(Please Print Clearly)

Student Signature: ____________________________________________________________________ Student ID Number: ______________________________________