At SIU, this specialization is an allied health profession that uses recreation interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities or chronic illness. Our curriculum prepares students for meaningful work as recreational therapists or inclusive recreation programmers in clinical or community settings such as children's hospitals, Veteran's Administration hospitals, residential settings, assisted living facilities or special recreation associations. This track prepares students to take the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam following graduation.<br>The Recreation Professions major prepares students for positions and careers in recreation management, outdoor leadership and management, and recreational therapy fields. The major offers professional courses within the department and draws from many related majors for competencies and skills in the preparation of professionals for the recreation field. Our curriculum emphasizes the practical and theoretical aspects of recreation by offering supervised field experience and internships in various recreational settings throughout Illinois and the nation.