TOP is a graduate and undergraduate certificate program providing students and therapeutic outdoor professionals with a comprehensive foundation of intervention theory and practice offered through the partnership of Indiana University academics and Bradford Woods' professional experience in Therapeutic Outdoor Programs.
In the past 20 years, outdoor professionals have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of organizations that offer therapeutic programs. Unfortunately, most professionals have not had the benefit of comprehensive training and education in outdoor therapeutic practice. Indiana University's Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies now offers a program certificate which provides a balance of experiential and academic training in the growing field of outdoor experiential therapy.
Students completing the Therapeutic Outdoor Program certificate will experience a broad range of therapeutic intervention, philosophical, and pedagogical foundations relevant to outdoor experiential therapy. Students will also enjoy opportunities to develop the soft and hard skills vital to the professional and safe practice of outdoor experiential therapy. Students will enhance their understanding of the current theoretical skills and knowledge associated with T.O.P. programming situations as well as professional standards and practices utilized in outdoor experiential therapy.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND BRADFORD WOODS
Indiana University and Bradford Woods share a legacy of excellence in the academic and professional development of students and practitioners in the field of outdoor education. Bradford Woods offers decades of hands-on experience in the development of groups and individuals through experiential intervention. Indiana University School of HPER faculty continue to lead the field in the development of research-based understanding of trends and processes inherent in therapeutic recreation, outdoor recreation, and outdoor education. The combination of these two entities offers students a powerful educational experience: sound academics grounded in exceptional experiential and professional practice.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE CURRICULUM
R564: Intro to Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
This overview of the field includes discussion of the concepts, terminology, and history of therapeutic outdoor programs. (1 credit.)
R511: Leadership in Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
This course develops group facilitation and leadership skills while emphasizing transfer and debriefing techniques effective in the T.O.P. setting. (2 credits.)
R512: Principles of Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
This course combines lecture, research, and experience to develop a deeper understanding of the roots of T.O.P. Topics include: program analysis, documentation, and risk management. (3 credits.)
R561: Advanced Therapeutic Recreation Processes
In-depth discussion of therapeutic application to therapeutic recreation settings. This course examines clinical application of therapeutic processes to physical and mental disability. (3 credits.)
R504: Therapeutic Outdoor Program Instructorship
Designed to develop hard skills, this course examines risk management issues such as psychotropic drugs, health, and crisis management. (3 credits.)
R643: Practicum in Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
Students work closely with professionals in the TOP field in a mentor relationship in order to advance skills as a practitioner. (3 credits.)
R342: Introduction to Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
This overview of the field includes discussion of the concepts, terminology, and history of therapeutic outdoor programs. (1 credit)
R345: Outdoor Instructorship
Examines the basic techniques and practices utilized in therapeutic outdoor programming, with an emphasis placed on instruction, safety, and supervision of individuals with disabilities. (3 credits)
R412: Principles of Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
This course combines lecture, research, and experience to develop a deeper understanding of the roots of T.O.P. Topics include: program analysis, documentation, and risk management. (3 credits)
R378: Techniques of Therapeutic Recreation
Focuses on intervention techniques utilizing the TR process, and includes assessing clients, treatment planning, activity analysis, and documentation and evaluation. ( 3 credits)
R399: Practicum in Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
Students work closely with professionals in the TOP field in a mentor relationship in order to advance skills as a practitioner. (3 credits)
Choose ONE of the following:
R270: Inclusive Recreation Services
Discusses awareness, and the provision of leisure services to specific populations with disabilities, including terminology, accessibility, and adaptations of programs and facilities. (3 credits)
OR
R277: Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
Explores the theoretical, philosophical, and histroic foundation of the field of therapeutic recreation, and the role of treatment and rehabilitation in various services and settings. (3 credits)
Alison
Voight, Ph.D., CTRS
Dr. Voight is an Assistant Professor and TOP
Coordinator. Her background includes clinical processes in TR with
psychiatric clients and emotionally distrubed adolescents. She teaches
courses in therapeutic recreation and TOP.
Alan
Ewert, Ph.D.
Dr.
Ewert is a Professor and holds the Patricia and Joel Meier Endowed Chair
in Outdoor Leadership. His teaching and research interests involve outdoor
instructing, leadership, and decision-making.
Bryan
McCormick, Ph. D.
Dr.
McCormick is an Associate Professor who has worked as a recreation
therapist in private in-patient psychiatric and addictions settings. Dr.
McCormick teaches courses in therapeutic recreation techniques and
administration at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Youngkhill Lee, Ph.D.
Dr. Lee is an Associate Professor who has extensive experience working
with persons who have physical disabilities. Dr. Lee teaches courses in
the therapeutic recreation option for both graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Alison Voight
Indiana University
HPER Room 133
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 856-1965
Email: avoight@indiana.edu
APPLICATION FORM
To download a copy of the TOP application, click here.
Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies | 1025 E. 7th Street, HPER 133, Bloomington, IN 47405 | (812) 855-4711 | Comments | Copyright © 2007 The Trustees of Indiana University, Copyright Complaints