Therapeutic Recreation

Turn your passion for wellness into a career helping people.
  • This program is Flexible-Synchronous, therefore students can choose to attend any of their classes either in-person on campus or using web conferencing
  • Various guest speakers to provide industry based insight and hands-on learning experiences through practical experience and community placements
  • Graduates are eligible to become registered members of TRO through Pathway A, while also being able to apply to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through one of two specific pathways: equivalency Path A or B
Photo of Dhivya
“I chose this program because it aligns with the healthcare field I want to pursue. With my background in Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology, I have a strong foundation in understanding movement, rehabilitation, and overall well-being.”
- Dhivya, Student, 2025

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Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2025

No

Schedule

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Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Graduate Certificate (1 Year)

Program Delivery

View delivery information

Program Code

1629X01FWO

Area of Interest

Recreation and Wellness

School

School of Wellness, Public Safety & Community Studies

Campus

Ottawa

Work Integrated Learning

Field Work Placement

Eligible for Post-Graduation
Work Permit?

Yes
CIP Code(s): 51.2309

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a career in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work with individuals who, due to illness, disability or other life circumstances require assistance to meet their individual goals and dreams. In this program, you develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to facilitate purposeful, quality leisure experiences. You use the tools of recreation and leisure to provide client centred, strengths-based therapeutic recreation services, which lead to happiness, well-being and quality of life....(read more)

Overview

Turn your passion for wellness into a career helping people.

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a career in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work with individuals who, due to illness, disability or other life circumstances require assistance to meet their individual goals and dreams. In this program, you develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to facilitate purposeful, quality leisure experiences. You use the tools of recreation and leisure to provide client centred, strengths-based therapeutic recreation services, which lead to happiness, well-being and quality of life.

Develop advanced knowledge of how to complete participant assessments, create individualized and group programs and document participant outcomes. Apply a variety of facilitative techniques to promote inclusive and meaningful recreation and leisure experiences, and advocate for participants across a variety of service settings to maximize environmental resources that are essential for well-being. Through collaboration, teamwork, research and professional involvement, you learn to adapt, implement and evaluate recreation activities to meet the needs of people in a wide range of settings. Develop your professional identity and goals to prepare you for placement and employment, which may include private practice. Your placement consolidates the skills and learning that you have attained throughout your coursework.

Graduates may work with people of all abilities that may include physical or developmental disabilities, seniors, children with diverse learning needs, youth at risk, as well as individuals with addictions, mental illness or head injuries. Specifically, you may find work in recreation, health or social service organizations such as:

  • long-term care facilities
  • adult day programs
  • hospitals and health care agencies
  • rehabilitation centres
  • senior residential facilities
  • centres for independent living
  • mental health agencies
  • addiction services
  • municipal community-based programs
  • group homes
  • outreach community health and wellness agencies
  • private family care
  • forensic and youth services

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Are open minded, compassionate and caring.
  • Enjoy learning about, and working with people with physical, cognitive, social and emotional challenges.
  • Excel working as part of interprofessional teams and independently.
  • Are enthusiastic, creative and innovative.
  • Have strong problem solving and brainstorming skills.
  • Possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
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Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may find employment as recreational therapists, recreation/restorative aides, recreationalists, activation therapists, recreation program coordinators, recreation facilitators, recreation programmers, recreation assistants, therapeutic recreation coordinators and community program facilitators.

Graduates of this program are eligible to become registered members of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO). Membership type will depend on the postsecondary credentials they hold. For more information, please see Additional Information.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Provide for the safety of clients, self and others in compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards and ethical practices.
  2. Assess individual needs, strengths, challenges and interests of people experiencing barriers to healthy leisure lifestyle in order to assist them in meeting their goals.
  3. Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with ministry guidelines, professional standards of practice and organizational policies and procedures.
  4. Plan, implement and evaluate holistic individual and group recreation therapy programs which respond to identified needs, align with assessment results and adhere to current best practices.
  5. Provide individual and family therapeutic functional intervention, leisure education support, and opportunity for recreation participation.
  6. Research, analyze and evaluate recreation therapy activities and programs using evidence based practices.
  7. Plan, implement and evaluate community, private and institutional programs and/or services and processes to enhance quality of life for clients.
  8. Collaborate with individuals, caregivers, interprofessional teams, volunteers and community service providers using a person-centered approach to promote personal, social, economic and the health-related benefits of recreation therapy services.
  9. Develop and plan for ongoing personal and professional growth and development.
  10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.

Fees are subject to change.

Textbooks and supplies cost approximately $1,000 for this program.

Admissions Requirements

Program Eligibility

  • Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent credential in a health-related or human services field.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic)
    Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.

Field Placement Eligibility:
Field placements occur in the spring/summer semester of the program.

Clinical Placements require Health and Safety, and WHMIS training, provided through Algonquin College. Some agencies may require de-escalation training prior to placements. There may be additional costs associated with training that should be anticipated by students which are not covered by tuition fees.

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of Standard First Aid certification, CPR level C (1-year), PRCSVS, complete immunizations and other forms at least one semester prior to starting placement through ParaMed and pay associated costs. ParaMed services are the third-party provider who collects all field placement documentation for the School of Wellness, Public Safety, and Community Studies.

Should you require further information, please contact the Program Coordinator.

Application Information

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Program Code 1629X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Additional Information

Program Resources

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) RequirementsArchived Program Information Academic CalendarVirtual TourProgram Overview PDF

Graduates of this program are eligible to become registered members of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO). Membership type will depend on the postsecondary credentials they hold:

  • R/TRO for graduates with degrees
  • R/TRO DIP for graduates with diplomas

For more information, please visit: https://www.trontario.org/.

Graduates may also apply to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) using one of two specific pathways (equivalency path A or B). For more information regarding these pathways, please visit: http://www.nctrc.org/new-applicants/paths-to-certification/.

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