Program Overview

Therapeutic Recreation Degree

The Therapeutic Recreation degree is designed to prepare students for a career in helping others enhance their quality of life, foster social connections, support independent living, and have fun. Recreation therapists are health care providers who work in clinical and long-term care environments, addressing emotional, physical, and social needs through leisure, recreation, and play.

Program Overview

In this program, students gain high-caliber academic and practical experience to prepare them for a career in Therapeutic Recreation. The program includes a required 105-hour practicum placement and a required 560-hour internship, providing valuable hands-on experience working with populations of interest. Students can also pursue the requirements for the academic pathway to becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

Courses

First-Year Courses

• REC 100 – Introduction to the Study of Recreation and Leisure
• REC 101 – Introduction to Leisure, Sport and Recreation Management
• REC 120 – Experience Design and Delivery
• PSYCH 101 – Introductory Psychology
• HEALTH 107 – Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being

After First Year

About half of the classes will be Recreation and Leisure Studies courses, with topics ranging from developmental and emotional disabilities to therapeutic recreation facilitation techniques. Students will be taught by certified therapeutic recreation professionals and will gain true hands-on experience through REC 450, a mandatory 560-hour internship course, and REC 253, a mandatory 105-hour practicum course.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

• REC 251 – Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental and Emotional Disabilities
• REC 252 – Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities
• HLTH 245 – Canadian Health Systems
• REC 351 – Therapeutic Recreation Facilitation Techniques

Customizing Your Degree

Students can add areas of expertise to their degree by pursuing areas of focus within the program or by choosing a double major, joint honours, or the Event Management minor. Students can also add additional areas of interest by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

Co-op Program

The co-op program is available, providing students with relevant paid work experience. Students will explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience, and make money.

Sample Co-op Job Titles

• Recreation therapist
• Child and youth worker
• Community recreation facilitator
• Therapeutic recreation and community assistant
• Research assistant

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

Starting in second year, students will normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating their classroom learning with real-world experience.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Therapeutic Recreation?

As a graduate, students can work with clients in settings ranging from long-term care facilities to local community agencies. They will also be eligible to apply for registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario and for certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification in the United States.

Recent Graduates

• Vocational instructor — Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
• Child life specialist — Hospital for Sick Children
• Therapy assistant — Mackenzie Innovation Institute
• Recreation therapist — West Park Healthcare Centre
• Counsellor — Alzheimer Society of Peel
• Outreach worker — St. Matthew’s House
• Communications officer — Carey Outreach Ministries

Further Education

While the full range of further education depends on individual interests, graduates commonly pursue a master's, PhD, or other professional health-care program in occupational therapy, social work, and public health.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

How to Apply

Students will apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and choose Therapeutic Recreation as their major.

Related Programs

• Recreation, Leadership and Health
• Sport and Recreation Management
• Social Development Studies
• Sociology

Faculty and Degree

• Faculty: Faculty of Health
• Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation
• Available as a co-op program: Yes
• Available as a regular program: Yes
• Available as a minor: No

Program Length

• It takes four years to complete this program as a full-time student through the regular system of study.
• It takes five years to complete this program as a full-time student through the co-op system of study.
• It can also be completed over a longer period as a part-time program.