EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University is making strides to provide advanced care studies that have the potential to change lives. Eastern’s Therapeutic Recreation program in the College of Health and Human Services teaches students how to help individuals with disabilities enhance physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning through recreation and leisure activities. 

“Therapeutic recreation is a means to introduce possibilities to people with disabilities,” said Heather Silander, assistant professor of Therapeutic Recreation at EMU. “We teach students how to be professionals that will educate patients about therapeutic options available to help them grow and improve,” she added. 

A Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation enables students to sit for the national certification exam to become qualified providers of recreation therapy. The therapists will use activity interventions with the dual benefit of increasing motivation in treatment and improving the likelihood of healthy behaviors continuing outside the health care setting. 

Students receive hands-on experience in class and their practicums. They learn how to assess individuals, develop an individualized treatment plan and develop their leadership and facilitation skills following the completion of the program. “My favorite part is watching students grow and emerge as professionals,” said Silander. 

The program boasts a 94% employment rate, of which 88% are employed in therapeutic recreation. Students have landed careers in physical medicine and rehabilitation, schools, hospitals, behavioral health, forensics, private practice, assisted living and memory care, community parks, recreation, and adapted sports.

Students like Kara Oliver, an EMU senior, have helped push the program further with her ideas and the support of Silander. “As a student at EMU, having hands-on experience has helped me prepare to care for patients in my future career,” said Oliver. “Once I pass my certification exam, I plan to provide services for veterans with mental health-related condition(s) utilizing recreation interventions to improve their overall quality of life.”

Students are also encouraged to participate in the execution and fundraising for the Adapted Sports Club (ASC) on EMU’s campus. The ASC ​​aims to provide opportunities to athletes 16 and above with physical disabilities within EMU and the surrounding communities. The club supports participants in playing sports, exercising, and socializing in a barrier-free, inclusive environment. The club hosts events such as wheelchair and standing tennis, wheelchair basketball, and a paralympic soccer camp for veterans and the public.

 “In the therapeutic recreation program, we have two long-term goals. One is to be a grassroots adaptive sports program in Ypsilanti, and the other is to provide a space for students and staff who would like to try one of the sports or activities and learn how to play,” said Silander. 

For more information about EMU’s Therapeutic Recreation program, visit the website. To learn more about program needs and how to assist with equipment and resources for the ASC, visit the ASC donate page.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.