Degree Requirements
The Honours Therapeutic Recreation program provides students with the necessary background to be successful therapeutic recreationists in long-term care facilities, hospital settings, or working with community agencies. Students learn to assess the physical, social and emotional needs of clients, as well as models for enhancing their lives through professional practice involving recreation activities and community inclusion.
Students must have successfully completed their first year in Recreation and Leisure Studies Honours and be in good standing before they can be admitted to the Therapeutic Recreation Honours program. The program may be completed either through the co-op or regular stream. There is also a required practicum placement and an optional internship placement available for students to obtain further hands-on practical experience in a supervised therapeutic recreation setting.
Use the Course Inventory checklists below (choose the appropriate one for the year you entered the program, or select the first one if you prefer to follow the new restricted elective requirements) to track your degree requirements as you complete your courses each term.
Note: students must maintain a minimum cumulative overall average (CAV, cum GPA) of 65% and a minimum cumulative major average (MAV) of 70% to remain in the Honours Therapeutic Recreation program.
- Honours Therapeutic Recreation Course Inventory (effective September 2011)
- Honours Therapeutic Recreation Course Inventory (effective September 2008)
- Honours Therapeutic Recreation Course Inventory (effective September 2007)
- Honours Therapeutic Recreation Course Inventory (effective September 2005)
Plan your course sequencing.
Some students may also wish to complete a minor or joint honours with their degree in Therapeutic Recreation. See also our links to the most common minors and approved joint honours programs in Rec.
NCTRC Certification Requirements
Students planning a career in Therapeutic Recreation may also wish to consider certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Certification requirements under the Professional Academic path include:
- completion of the TR degree
- anatomy and physiology (AHS 150 - now available online)
- abnormal psychology (PSYCH 257)
- human growth and development across the lifespan (ISS 150R or GERON/HLTH 220)
- an internship placement with a minimum of 480 hours over 12 consecutive weeks (REC 450 - note 15 weeks required for course credit)
- additional courses in human services
- writing the certification exam
Students in Therapeutic Recreation may also wish to obtain CPR training and an F class driver's license as these are useful in the field.
Explore sample careers of our graduates
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Week
February 6-10, 2012
See events list for more information