Program Details
Recreational Therapy-BSHS
BS in Health SciencesOld Dominion University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
he Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree with a major in Recreational Therapy prepares students for careers as recreational therapists in health and human service settings such as hospitals, geriatric care facilities, and community-based organizations. The degree meets the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification’s (NCTRC) professional eligibility requirements to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | A separate admissions process is required for all students pursing a major within the College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. Acceptance to the University does not constitute or guarantee acceptance into a health science major. Course requirements, application deadlines, and more detailed information can be found in our univeristy catalog and our transfer maps. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Old Dominion University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the ODU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major. With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. Even if the Associate Degree was completed concurrently while completing their high school requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | The Office of Prior Learning exists to aid ODU students in translating their professional work knowledge into academic credit. Through the use of various mechanisms, we are able to offer students the opportunity to have their prior learning assessed and applied for academic credit. This path may save the students both time and money as they work toward their degree. If you have military experience, please use our course by course equivalency tool to see how your experiences will transfer. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | With transfer pathways to all majors with transferable associate degrees, plus 200+ guided pathways specific for applied associate degrees, Old Dominion University is the most transfer-friendly university in Virginia. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Submit a Letter of Intent to Transfer Apply to ODU after completing 15 credit hours at a VCCS institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Apply to ODU for the term following the expected completion term of your associate degree. Follow application processes and deadline dates for special programs, i.e. nursing. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Health Administration, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Health Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Health Science | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Health Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Kinesiology, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Community Health, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Emory & Henry University | Exercise Science Clinical Health (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Public Health in Public Health | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Public Health | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Health Science: Public Health Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

Cost To Complete

