Recreation therapy is a rewarding career providing meaningful and healthy leisure activities that improve the quality of life for people of all abilities and ages. Recreation therapists offer a range of services, including assessing client needs, developing programs, goal-setting, group facilitation and evaluation of interventions. This program incorporates two field placements in the community so our students have the hands-on experience to launch their careers in the field with confidence.
Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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Graduates of the program develop and deliver recreation and leisure activities to people living with physical, mental, cognitive, emotional or social limitations. They are skilled in their assessment techniques and ability to provide person-centred therapeutic interventions that improve quality of life.
Program Learning Outcomes
Assess the interests, strengths, needs, and social, physical and mental health challenges of individuals and groups utilizing a person-centred approach when designing healthy leisure opportunities and improving quality of life.
Collect, record and report comprehensive client information, in verbal, written and electronic formats in accordance with current ministry guidelines and professional standards.
Evaluate the design and delivery of recreational and educational programs in meeting client needs and improving quality of life.
Design and deliver therapeutic recreation programs, leisure education programs and services by utilizing technology to promote personal, social, economic and health related benefits of recreation therapy services.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, families, inter-professional teams and community service providers in the development and delivery of safe and effective recreation therapy services.
Assist in the development of administrative, marketing, financial and human resource strategies that enhance the delivery of services and promote small business objectives and goals.
Implement strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to support the growth of therapeutic recreation as a profession.
Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
Courses
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Course delivery
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.
Costs
The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.
Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to you achieving your educational goals. DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate a number of financial aid programs to support your education.
This program is strengthened by the integration of two mandatory field placements, one each in semesters three and four. Students access work environments and practitioner expertise to develop skills in the planning, implementation and evaluation of recreational and leisure activities and programs.
PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and ESPC verification partner.
Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.
It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for all field placement components of this program. Prior to each placement you must (at your expense) provide:
A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. CRCs with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You may be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS to meet field placement agency requirements.
Current Level C CPR from a recognized provider.
Current standard first aid certification from a recognized provider.
Entry immunization form completed by a health care provider.
Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination may be required by the field placement site.
App Store
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Domestic application
International application
