Therapeutic Recreation
- Certificate and diploma
- On-campus and distance education
- Fall intake for on-campus studies
- Continuous monthly intake for distance education
- Eight-week practicum experiences in Year 1 and Year 2
Program Overview
If you are looking for an opportunity to combine your enthusiasm and positive outlook with a quality formal education, then the Therapeutic Recreation program could be for you. The program covers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will need to work with clients who require recreation therapy.
Both a certificate and diploma are available. Year 1, which leads to a certificate, is available through on-campus instruction, hybrid delivery, or distance education. Year 2, which leads to a diploma, is available only through hybrid delivery or distance education at this time. Courses may be available in-class depending on enrolment.
Note: Hybrid delivery may include a combination of workshops, seminars, self-study, and/or tutorials.
The certificate year focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities. The diploma year focuses on the concepts, theory, and practical experiences related to leadership and critical thinking in order to prepare graduates to work more independently.
All NorQuest College Therapeutic Recreation practicums meet the requirements of the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
Therapeutic recreation professionals required to meet ATRA standards are welcome to contact the program area to apply for enrolment in individual courses.
Applicants are requested to review the requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of therapeutic recreation employee.
As a therapeutic recreation employee, you must be able to:
- Work shifts and weekends
- Be on your feet for extended periods of time
- Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
- Function effectively in stressful situations
- Perform all skills independently
Distance Delivery
Plese see NorQuest Distance Learning for further information on distance learning study options. Students in the Therapeutic Recreation distance program will be required to attend an on-campus workshop for assessment of practical skills before starting their practicum experience. Tutorial support is also available.
Career Potential
Upon graduation, you will be qualified to work in continuing care, assisted living, group homes, lodges, and day program settings.
Diploma program students are eligible for student membership in the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). Graduates from this diploma program are eligible for professional membership in ATRA.
For information on related occupational profiles (keyword recreation), see www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo.
To research your career, you may complete a career investigation report: http://www.employment.alberta.ca/documents/AWonline/career_report.pdf
Transferability
The following Therapeutic Recreation diploma courses have university transfer credit:
Diploma program graduates are eligible for block transfer credit into the following post-secondary programs:
Athabasca University
- Bachelor of Health Administration (up to 42 credits)
- Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services (up to 60 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (Post Diploma) in Human Science (30 credits)
NAIT
- Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management
Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)
- Bachelor of Health Science (up to 57 credits)
- Bachelor of General Studies (up to 60 credits)
University of Calgary
- Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation
Additional credit transfer agreements with various institutions are currently in negotiation.
Admission Requirements (2011-2012)
- 18 years of age
- Grade 12 diploma*
- 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 50% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- Copies of records for any immunizations that you have received in the past
Practicum Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend your practicum:
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate required before practicum experiences begin
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.
*For mature students (age 19+), all requirements must be met except the need for a Grade 12 diploma.
Diploma Program Requirement
Completion of the Therapeutic Recreation certificate program and/or permission from the program coordinator is required to enter the diploma program.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with an average score of 8 and no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Admission Requirements (2012-2013)
- 18 years of age
- Grade 12 diploma*
- 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
- 50% in Biology 30 or equivalent
- Copies of records of any immunizations that you have received in the past
Practicum Requirements
The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend your practicum:
- CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate required before practicum experiences begin
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.)
Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, and professional licensure and therefore may affect employment prospects. Prospective students who have a criminal record should discuss the matter with the Program Chair prior to applying for admission.
*For mature students (age 19+), all requirements must be met except the need for a Grade 12 diploma.
Diploma Program Requirement
Completion of the Therapeutic Recreation certificate program and/or permission from the Program Chair is a requirement to enter the diploma program.
English Language Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:
- CLBA, with an average score of 8 and no skill score below 8
- TOEFL Internet-based test score 84, with no section score below 21
- IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band scores below 6.0
- CAEL 60, with no subtest below 60
Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission to this program.
Provisional Admission
An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.
Progression
Students must attain a pass grade in each course to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses.
Credentials
Certificate: After successfully completing first-year program requirements, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest College Therapeutic Recreation certificate.
Diploma: After successfully completing second-year program requirements, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest College Therapeutic Recreation diploma.
Honours Criteria
- Overall grade point average (GPA) is greater than or equal to 3.7.
- The student has not failed or repeated any courses.
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to our Tuition and Fees page for the 2011/12 tuition and fees schedule.
Program Outline (2011/12)
- Although Year 2 is offered primarily through distance, other delivery methods may be offered.
Year 1
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
16 weeks |
|
| ANPH 1000
|
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
|
3.0 |
| COMM 1011
|
Interpersonal Communications for
Health-Care
Professions |
3.0 |
| COMM 2011
|
Therapeutic Communication for
Health-Care
Professions |
3.0 |
| RHAB 1001 |
Introduction to Rehabilitation |
3.0 |
| WELL 1000
|
Wellness Through Leisure |
3.0 |
| |
Term 1 Total |
15.0 |
| Term 2 |
16 weeks |
|
| ASCL 1000
|
Assisting Clients I |
3.0 |
| DEMC 1011 |
Dementia Studies |
3.0 |
| PATH 1010
|
Pathophysiology
|
3.0 |
| TRDC 1001
|
Therapeutic Recreation:
Program Planning and Implementation |
3.0 |
| TRDC 1002
|
Therapeutic Recreation:
Program Evaluation and Documentation |
3.0 |
| |
Term 2 Total |
15.0 |
| Term 3 |
8 weeks |
|
| RPRT 1001
|
Therapeutic Recreation: Practicum I
|
8.0 |
| |
Term 3 Total |
11.0 |
| |
Year 1 Total |
41.0 |
Year 2
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
32 weeks |
|
| ENGL 2550
|
Introduction to Composition
|
3.0 |
| HEED 1000 |
Health Education:
Individual Health
and Wellness |
3.0 |
| LEAD 2000
|
Team Leadership and Professionalism |
3.0 |
| RPRT 2001 |
Therapeutic Recreation Practicum II |
11.0 |
| TRDC 2001
|
Therapeutic Recreation: Client Assessment
|
3.0 |
| TRDC 2002
|
Therapeutic Recreation: Program Design
|
3.0 |
| TRDC 2003
|
Therapeutic Recreation:
Program Leadership |
3.0 |
| Electives* |
Two approved cross-over domain options |
6.0 |
| |
Year 2 Total |
35.0 |
| |
Program Total |
76.0 |
* Please contact the Allied Health Careers department for suitable electives. University-level courses from another post-secondary institution may be considered for transfer credit. Please contact the program chair of Allied Health Careers to confirm that your course(s) may receive transfer credit as a cross-over domain option.
Last updated:
October 10, 2011
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