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Our Mission

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is concerned with the ways in which health and well-being are enhanced through the effective use of leisure. To this end, it is concerned with how individuals, groups, and societies plan, organize, and use resources for leisure. Accordingly, departmental research and teaching focuses on the social, psychological, economic and environmental aspects of leisure. Through its research and teaching expertise the department contributes to the advancement of recreation and leisure services and the enhancement of the quality of individual and community life.

Our Reputation

The University of Waterloo continues to rank"most innovative" of all Canadian universities, and "best overall" again this year in the comprehensive universities category in the Maclean's magazine rankings out of 47 universities across Canada.

The internationally renowned Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is the highest ranking leisure studies department amongst the top 41 of 213 North American institutions in terms of research publications in peer-reviewed scholarly leisure journals. The university is also ranked in the top ten of the world's tourism researchers out of 200 institutions based on publications in selected tourism journals.

One of the first to offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Canada, our program remains one of the largest leisure programs in Canada. The department celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008-2009 and has over 2900 graduates, including 26 PhD graduates all employed in teaching and research positions at universities around the world.