Things You'll Need:
- Resume
- Required education or experience
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Step 1
Complete the required education to get a job as a recreational therapist. In most cases, this involves getting a bachelor's degree in recreation or therapeutic recreation. However, you may be able to enter the field with an Associate's degree in recreational therapy, supplemented with further studies in drama, music or art.
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Step 2
Find out if you need to be licensed by the state in which you live in order to become a recreational therapist. In North Carolina, New Hampshire and Utah, you will need to be certified as a licensed recreational therapist in order to get a job in the field. Other municipalities may require some study in the fields of recreational therapy, such as treatment and program planning, anatomy, abnormal psychology, professional ethics and medical terminology.
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Step 3
Visit the Recreation Therapy Jobs website for postings and advice.
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Step 4
Give yourself a competitive edge through ongoing education. Growth in this sector has been particularly slow in recent years, and competition for available positions can be quite fierce. By composing a strong resume and continuing your studies, you may be able to stand out in the crowd to be selected for an interview.
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Step 5
Design a career path once you get a job as a recreational therapists. Individuals who excel in this position often grow into related positions, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation counselors and special education teachers. There is a greater demand for many of these positions, and the salaries can be much higher than for a traditional recreational therapist.
