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Step 1
Step into the field by getting an associate degree in therapeutic recreation or a health care related field. With it you can work in paraprofessional positions in the field and acquire experience to move forward.
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Step 2
Know that a two-year degree is sufficient to enter the field. However, an associate degree plus training in art, drama, or music therapy may be enough to land a job as an activity director in a nursing home.
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Step 3
Move along further in your career and acquire a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, or in general recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. Add an internship and you'll be able to land an entry-level position in recreation therapy.
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Step 4
Understand your degree and internship will probably not be enough if you want to move past an entry-level job. Most of the time, you'll need to carry certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation. To be certified you must earn a bachelor's degree. You'll also need to pass a written certification exam and complete at least 480 hours of internship. Some states have additional certification requirements.
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Step 5
Add to your degree and keep yourself valuable. While a bachelor's degree or master's degree in recreation is necessary, the opportunities are vast for recreational therapists with specialized certifications in such disciplines as art, music or aquatic therapy, crisis intervention or substance abuse counseling.
