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  • Recreation Therapy – NEW

Recreation Therapy – NEW


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Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
RETH
Next Intake
September 2023
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Four semesters
Delivery
More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person. Learn more.
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Program Overview

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. Certified recreation therapists offer a range of services, including the assessment of client needs, development of programs, goal-setting, group facilitation and evaluation of interventions.

During this two-year program, students examine and apply the theoretical foundations of recreation therapy and the five domains of health (physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual) to support the development and delivery of person-centred recreation programs. Students also develop proficiency in various health disciplines such as health sciences, kinesiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology, while exploring strategies and techniques to assess, develop, implement and evaluate recreation and educational programs.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2023OpenOpenApply now
ProgramHighlights
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Community Involvement
Hands On
Helping Others

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $14,186 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Principles Of Health Conditions and Management 1 (HLTH 1107)
  • Introduction to Person Centred Support (HLTH 1108)
  • Developmental Psychology (PSYC 1104)
  • Positive Psychology (PSYC 1105)
  • Introduction to Recreation Therapy (RECL 1100)

View all courses

Community Involvement
Community Involvement
Hands On
Hands On
Helping Others
Helping Others

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Activity aide
  • Exercise therapist
  • Life enrichment manager
  • Recreation program leader
  • Recreation therapist

View all career options

Program Details

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

  1. 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.
  2. Collect, record and report comprehensive client information, in verbal, written and electronic formats in accordance with current ministry guidelines and professional standards.
  3. Evaluate the design and delivery of recreational and educational programs in meeting client needs and improving quality of life.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Implement strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to support the growth of therapeutic recreation as a profession.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

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.

Semester 1

  • Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Principles Of Health Conditions and Management 1 (HLTH 1107)
  • Introduction to Person Centred Support (HLTH 1108)
  • Developmental Psychology (PSYC 1104)
  • Positive Psychology (PSYC 1105)
  • Introduction to Recreation Therapy (RECL 1100)

Semester 2

  • Academic Writing for Success Strategies (COMM 2715)
  • Field Placement Prep (FDPL 1203)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Principles Of Health Conditions and Management 2 (HLTH 1203)
  • Professional Practice for Recreation Therapy (RECL 1200)
  • Program Planning for Recreation Therapy (RECL 1201)

Semester 3

  • Interpersonal Skills In Recreation Therapy (COMS 2100)
  • Evaluating Recreation Therapy Programming (RECL 2100)
  • Assessment and Therapeutic Interventions 1 (RECL 2101)
  • Field Placement 1 (RETH 2100)

Semester 4

  • Entrepreneurship In Recreation Therapy (ENTR 2208)
  • Assessment and Therapeutic Interventions 2 (RECL 2200)
  • Field Placement 2 (RETH 2200)
  • Therapeutic Recreation for Diverse Populations (SOCI 2200)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2023-2024 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Course delivery

More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person.

The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. 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.
Flexible:
Course is taught in one of DC’s technology-enabled learning classrooms and online at the same time. Students can choose to attend in-person or online.
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

YEAR ONE FEES Domestic International
Tuition $2,722 $14,186
Compulsory Ancillary $1,405 $1,903
Program Incidental
Total Fees: $4,127 $16,089

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Activity aide
  • Exercise therapist
  • Life enrichment manager
  • Recreation program leader
  • Recreation therapist

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

  • Acute or chronic care hospitals
  • Addiction treatment centres
  • Children’s treatment centres
  • Community living organizations
  • Community-based agencies
  • Day programs
  • Long term care homes
  • Mental health facilities
  • Municipal recreation departments
  • Palliative care
  • Private practice
  • Rehabilitation programs
  • Retirement living

Field Placement

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.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

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Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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