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.
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)
Mature Students
INTERESTED IN ATTENDING COLLEGE? DON’T HAVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA? YOU COULD STILL QUALIFY AS A MATURE STUDENT, LEARN MORE!
Mature student status refers to applicants who are 19 and older as of the first day of classes without an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent but with the admission required courses. The admission required courses for our full-time programs are noted on each program page, and for some programs, a GED may be considered in place of these requirements.
If you do not have the prerequisite subject credits for the program you would like to apply to, you have options.
Durham College offers Academic Upgrading so that you can obtain the prerequisite courses required to enter a college program. For information about Academic Upgrading at Durham College You can also take the admission required courses through a local high school or adult learning centre.
While most programs only require academic prerequisites some programs may require additional pieces such as questionnaires, tests and portfolios. It is your responsibility to complete these requirements as part of the admission process. Detailed instructions and deadlines will be provided when you apply.
The best place to begin is Ontario Colleges where you will find information on colleges, programs and courses, the application process, important dates, financial assistance and mature students.
For specific program information at Durham College you can view programs by alphabetical order on the A to Z listing, by area of interest, or by academic school.
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
More info:durhamcollege.ca/programs/recreation-therapy#tabCareer