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University Programs in NC


North Carolina Colleges and Universities

Institutions offering academic programs in recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation.

North Carolina is rich with academic preparation programs for prospective recreational therapists, recreational therapy assistants, therapeutic recreation specialists, and therapeutic recreation assistants. The North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association (NCRTA) does not endorse any specific university or academic program. All programs are listed alphabetically within their respective category. NCRTA does recommend that prospective students educate themselves regarding North Carolina recreational therapy license and national therapeutic recreation specialist certification requirements and confirm that their educational choices meet their credentialing needs.

Community colleges offering associate degrees and preparation for the North Carolina recreational therapy assistant license

Western Piedmont Community College

1001 Burkemont Ave. Morganton, NC 28655

Katharine Wright, (828) 448-3536, kwright@wpcc.edu

University programs offering bachelor’s degrees and preparation for the North Carolina recreational therapist license and national CTRS certification

Catawba College

Department of Therapeutic Recreation 

2300 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC 28144
Dr. Kaitlin Mueller, (704) 637-4759, kmueller22@catawba.edu

East Carolina University

Department of Recreation Sciences, Recreational Therapy Degree Program

Carol G. Belk Building #140, Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Dr. David Loy, (252) 328-2718, loyd@ecu.edu

The University of Mount Olive

Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

634 Henderson Drive, Mount Olive, NC 28365
Dr. Janet F. Albers, (919) 658-7184 ext. 1909 , jalbers@umo.edu

North Carolina Central University

Department of Physical Education and Recreation

1801 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27707
Dr. Lei Guo, (919) 530-6266, lguo@nccu.edu

University of North Carolina Greensboro

Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation

524 Highland Ave, Greensboro, NC 27412

Brent D. Wolfe, PhD, CTRS, LRT, FDRT

Phone: 336.334.3260 Fax: 336.256.1156

University of North Carolina – Wilmington

Recreation Therapy, School of Applied Health and Human Sciences

601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5956
Dr. Brent Hawkins, (910) 962-3717, hawkinsb@uncw.edu 

Western Carolina University

Recreational Therapy Curriculum, Department of Health and Human Performance

434 Health and Human Sciences Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Dr. Jennifer Hinton, (828) 227-3646 , jlhinton@wcu.edu 

Winston Salem State University

Therapeutic Recreation Program, Department of Human Performance & Sport Science

Therapeutic Recreation Department
125 FL Atkins Annex, Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Dr. Jo Ann Coco-Ripp, 336.750.3459, rippjc@wssu.edu

University programs offering masters degrees and preparation for the North Carolina recreational therapist license and national CTRS certification

East Carolina University

Department of Recreation Sciences, Recreational Therapy Degree Program

Carol G. Belk Building #140, Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Dr. David Loy, (252) 328-2718, loyd@ecu.edu

North Carolina Central University

Department of Physical Education and Recreation Administration

1801 Fayettteville Street, Durham, NC 27707
Dr. Virginia Politano, (919) 530-6186, politano@nccu.edu

University of North Carolina – Greensboro

Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation
420 HHP Building, Greensboro, NC 27412
Dr. Leandra A. Bedini, (336) 334-3040, bedini@uncg.edu
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P.O. Box 3705
Morganton, NC 28680

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