Pursue a career supporting healthy living and build stronger communities.

Recreation and Leisure - Entry into Level 03 allows graduates of the Fitness and Health Promotion Ontario College Diploma program to enter the Recreation and Leisure Ontario College Diploma program with advanced standing.

The two-year Recreation and Leisure Services Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to pursue a career in a variety of supporting roles and leadership positions at culturally relevant recreation facilities, parks and in open spaces. In this program, you learn how to make a difference in the community by promoting and advocating for the benefits of recreation, leisure and healthy living.

Experience the fun, exciting and growing recreation and leisure services field. As a student, you complete more than 300 hours of field placement, which provides you with on-the-job training and active experience in the industry.

After graduating, you may find work in a variety of roles. These can include work in not-for-profit and commercial, private or government environments, such as:

• commercial centres
• senior centres
• cruises
• resorts
• adventure tourism
• arts and cultural facilities

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are passionate about working in a community environment with a focus on helping people explore their leisure interests.
• Enjoy a hands-on approach to learning about the sports and leisure service industry.
• Are intrigued by planning, designing and implementing recreation programs and special events for a variety of people.
• Enjoy leading others in leisure activities that foster camaraderie and personal well-being.
• Are outgoing and inspirational.

Careers

Graduates may find employment as recreation programmers, event planners and program coordinators in municipal recreation departments, volunteer and community agencies, social service agencies, hospitals, therapeutic recreation agencies, retirement or long-term care facilities, resorts and tourism areas.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Develop, implement and evaluate inclusive recreation, leisure and wellness programs and events for individuals, groups and communities which respond to assessed needs, interests, abilities and that use available resources and incorporate best practices.
2. Apply administrative and customer service skills to support the delivery of recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services.
3. Analyze, develop and implement marketing strategies to reach diverse individuals, groups and communities for programs, events, services and facilities using current communication technologies.
4. Contribute to the development of fiscally sustainable and responsible recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services using current and relevant principles and practices of business, finance and social entrepreneurship.
5. Supervise, lead and support the development of staff and volunteers involved with recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services.
6. Apply safety and accessibility practices to the efficient operation and administration of recreation and leisure facilities and settings.
7. Promote the benefits and values of recreation, leisure and healthy active living and recommend inclusive programs, events and services to individuals and groups.
8. Apply community development strategies which engage citizens and community partners while advocating for healthy communities.
9. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development as a recreation and leisure services professional.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

RECREATION AND LEISURE - ENTRY INTO LEVEL 3
Program Code 0422B01FWO

To apply to this program please email the program coordinator, Patsy Pyke, at pykep@algonquincollege.com.

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

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application 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 please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

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

Program Resources

The Recreation and Leisure Services program consists of courses that are delivered in a variety of formats including face-to-face in a classroom, hybrid (combination of classroom and online learning) and online courses. Students participate in laboratory and field placement learning activities. Mandatory field placements may be scheduled outside of regular class hours. Class schedules vary from term to term and courses may be scheduled between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday.

Students may apply for transfer of academic credits from Algonquin College (internal transfer) or from other institutions (external transfer). College Policies AA09 and AA10 apply to transfer of credits. Students pay a fee for each course they wish to be exempt from and must provide course outlines and transcripts for the course substituted. https://www.algonquincollege.com/directives.

We recognize the importance of prior learning and life experience. Students may apply for credit by challenging courses using Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Through either a portfolio or challenge examination, a PLAR may lead to the acceptance of work and life experience in lieu of taking certain courses. College Policy AA06 applies to PLAR. More information can be found at https://www.algonquincollege.com/col/plar.html.

Although part-time study is not available, customized delivery of program components may be arranged.

ACADEMIC PROBATION:
Students who have two or more F grades in a given term or whose term grade point average falls below 1.7 are considered to be on academic probation (Policy AA14 Grading System). This requires the student to meet with their academic advisor or coordinator to sign a learning contract which identifies the conditions which must be met to continue in the program. Students who do not meet the terms of their learning contract are withdrawn from the program.

PROGRESSION:
Students receiving three or more Failures in a term MUST successfully complete these courses prior to moving on to the next level of the program. This may mean that the student sits out a term before returning to the program. Any exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the faculty team.