The Future of RT/TR Education: Results from the ATRA Higher Education Task Force Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2020-V54-I4-10427Keywords:
Entry-level practice, higher education, mixed methods, professional preparation in recreational therapy/therapeutic recreationAbstract
In 2016, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Board of Directors created a task force within its Higher Education Committee to study the educational requirements for entry-level education in recreational therapy/therapeutic recreation (RT/TR) and make recommendations to the Board. From 2016-2018, the task force planned and implemented a multiphase mixed methods study with approximately 2,000 RT/ TR practitioners, educators, students, and credentialing and accrediting bodies from across the United States and Canada. During the first phase of the study, in-person focus groups were completed with 25 practitioner groups (N=257), 10 educator groups (N=49), and 17 student groups (N=222) at 19 state and regional conferences and meetings, as well as during four online focus groups using the Zoom videoconferencing platform. Interviews were conducted with board members of six RT/TR credentialing and accrediting bodies. During the second phase of the study, online surveys were completed by RT/TR practitioners (N=1,663), educators (N=141), and students (N=483). The central finding suggests the most current and pressing need in higher education is to improve the quality and consistency of the bachelor’s degree in RT/TR. Five mixed-method results supporting the central finding are presented, and data-driven recommendations to improve professional preparation in RT/TR are discussed.
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- Requires Subscription Figure 1. Goals Guiding the Work of the Higher Education Task Force
- Requires Subscription Table 1. Demographics for the Online Survey Respondents
- Requires Subscription Table 2. Mixed Methods Result #1- Entry-level Education Should be the Bachelor’s Degree
- Requires Subscription Table 3. Mixed Methods Result #2- Require RT/TR Curricula to Show Consistency in Learning Outcomes that Reflect Entry-level Competencies in the Field
- Requires Subscription Table 4. Mixed Methods Result #3 - Incorporate New and Increasing Levels of Competencies into Bachelor’s and Master’s RT/TR Curricula
- Requires Subscription Table 5. Mixed Methods Result #4 - Improve the Infrastructure for a Graduated Progression of Quality Fieldwork Experiences
- Requires Subscription Table 6. Mixed Methods Result #5- Determine Effective Models that will Ensure Quality, Consistency, Access, and Affordability in Graduate Education
- Requires Subscription Table 1. Demographics for the Online Survey Respondents
- Requires Subscription Table 2. Mixed Methods Result #1- Entry-level Education Should be the Bachelor’s Degree
- Requires Subscription Table 3. Mixed Methods Result #2- Require RT/TR Curricula to Show Consistency in Learning Outcomes that Reflect Entry-level Competencies in the Field
- Requires Subscription Table 4. Result #3 - Incorporate New and Increasing Levels of Competencies into Bachelor’s and Master’s RT/TR Curricula
- Requires Subscription Table 5. Mixed Methods Result #4 - Improve the Infrastructure for a Graduated Progression of Quality Fieldwork Experiences
- Requires Subscription Table 6. Mixed Methods Result #5- Determine Effective Models that will Ensure Quality, Consistency, Access, and Affordability in Graduate Education
- Requires Subscription Author Response Future of RT/TR Education
- Requires Subscription Abstract (per request from Co-Editor M. Janke)
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