Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Thomas J. Thompson
Committee Member
John Plesha
Committee Member
Kenneth Varcoe
Keywords
administration, assessment, best practices, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, counseling, course content, curriculum, delivery of instruction, educational needs, enrollment, evaluation, formative evaluation, graduate programs, higher education, implementation, instructional delivery, learning needs, master's curricula, needs assessment, non-experimental research, partnerships, professional development, professional growth, program development, program implementation, program planning, recertification, recreation assessment, research, Slippery Rock University, standardization, summative evaluation, survey research, therapeutic intervention, therapeutic recreation, United States, western Pennsylvania
Abstract
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists are not being adequately served in their access to education options that are necessary for recertification of professional growth. Slippery Rock University is interested in increasing enrollment and remaining viable in the new competitive climate of higher education. The purpose of this project was to assess the learning needs and interests of the potential constituents of Slippery Rock University who are interested in furthering their education in the therapeutic recreation profession, and to develop a program responsive to those needs and interests.
This study addressed the following research questions: (a) "What is the current best practice when considering continuing professional education and masters curricula in therapeutic recreation in the United States?" (b) "What are the educational needs of CTRSs in the western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, southwestern New York, and northern West Virginia geographic areas?" ( c) "What is the appropriate scope and content of program efforts or approaches designed to address the identified needs for continuing education or graduate programs in therapeutic recreation?" and (e) "What are appropriate considerations and recommendations for program implementation and evaluation?"
The project utilized procedures from the non-experimental research and development methodologies. A thorough review of the literature was conducted to determine current best practices in therapeutic recreation education, both in content and delivery of instruction. A survey tool was developed and implemented for 344 Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists residing within a 100-mile radius of Slippery Rock University. The survey response rate was 55.S% (N=191). Survey results guided the development of preliminary plans for the implementation of a Continuing Education Program that focused on the areas of interest that were identified in the survey. General areas of interest include therapeutic intervention techniques, counseling skills and techniques, and therapeutic recreation assessment.
Program planning considerations involved items related to administration of the program, instructional delivery of the program, and course content and structure. Evaluative considerations were also developed and mirrored the program planning considerations. In addition, plans for formative and summative evaluation of the program during its implementation were developed. The development of a final and formalized plan for implementation may include a partnership between SRU and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.
It was recommended that the continuing education plan be implemented at Slippery Rock University by February 2003. Ongoing evaluation should take place to ensure that effective and meaningful instruction and learning are taking place. Future research should focus on the state of undergraduate curricula in therapeutic recreation, with an emphasis on standardization of curricula across the United States. Further research on the state of masters curricula should also be implemented, specifically as it relates to the development of new masters programs.