Fall 2025: Applications Closed.
Third Year Access:
Douglas College Diploma Graduates - Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Non-Douglas College Diploma Graduates - Fall 2025: Applications Closed.
Winter 2026: Apply Now!
Make a real, positive difference in the lives of people facing disabilities, injuries, social isolation and other challenges with a career in recreational therapy. As a recreation therapist, you’ll help children, adolescents, adults and seniors improve their overall health and well-being and live full, independent lives through fun and leisure activities.
A practical education
The four-year Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program gives you the tools to assess, plan, implement and evaluate a wide range of leisure services for people with barriers to participating in leisure activities. Such services might include arts and crafts, dance, music, sports, games, aquatics and group outings. You’ll apply what you learn in the classroom through practicum placements and community projects, where you’ll work with real clients in a variety of health care and social service settings.
Job prospects are good
Recreation therapists work in the fields of gerontology, paedology, psychology, rehabilitation and more in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health centres, long-term care homes, rehabilitation centres and social-service settings. There are many job opportunities in the recreation therapy field, and the median annual salary in B.C. is $62,568, with positions in health care often paying higher than average.
Surveys show that 88 percent of our Therapeutic Recreation degree graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes).
Get certified
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program, you will be eligible to write the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Douglas College graduates typically surpass national exam averages, with a 100-percent pass rate over the past several years.
Many B.C. employers do not currently require certification for practice as a recreation therapist, but more and more are beginning to, as it raises the bar of professionalism in the industry. Additionally, as an internationally recognized credential, certification will improve your chances of getting the job you want.
Applicants must meet the Year One admission requirements listed below:
Note: A negative TB test or Chest X-Ray, flu shot and proof of current vaccinations will be required for most practical experiences.
More admission and program details are available in the Prospective Student Guide.
Certificate in Academic Foundations - Pathway into the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation (CAF-BTR)
This pathway will be of interest to:
Students must complete the 30-credit Certificate in Academic Foundations with the following courses in order to be eligible for admission to the BTR:
And complete two courses from the following:
*BIOL 1103 and 1203, 1105 and 1205, or 1109 and 1209 can be substituted for BIOL 1104.
PLEASE NOTE: Completion of the CAF-BTR does not guarantee admission into the BTR. Students are still required to complete the BTR Admission requirements and while completing the CAF-BTR, will need to apply for entry into the BTR program.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below for Third Year Access:
Students who have a diploma or degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field of study may be granted permission to access third year courses; however, they will likely be required to take some first-and second-year courses to meet the degree and certification requirements.
Admission from Douglas College - Third Year Access – Douglas College TR Diploma Graduates
Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements and are not automatically guaranteed a seat in the program. Admission will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Due once an offer of admission is made:
Note: A negative TB test or Chest X-Ray, flu shot and proof of current vaccinations will be required for most practical experiences
Depending upon year of graduation, students with a diploma in TR from Douglas College will receive 56 – 60 transfer credits towards their degree and may be required to take some first-and second-year courses to complete the BTR.
Admission From Other Institutions - Third Year Access – Non-Douglas College TR Diploma Graduates
Admission will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Due once an offer of admission is made:
Note: A negative TB test or Chest X-Ray, flu shot and proof of current vaccinations will be required for most practical experiences.
Students will be required to take some first-and second-year courses to complete the BTR. Completion of the BTR should be expected to take at least two-and-a-half years of full-time study. This will depend on the amount of transfer credits applicable to the BTR.
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Graduation Requirements:
Program Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Required Courses: |
||
|
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
3.00 |
|
|
Academic Writing |
3.00 |
|
|
ENGL or CMNS Elective (UT) |
Any university transferable course from ENGL or CMNS |
3.00 |
|
Ethics in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
|
PSYC 1100 or 1200 |
An Intrduction to Psychology (I) or An Introduction to Psychology (II) |
3.00 |
|
Lifespan Human Development |
3.00 |
|
|
Abnormal Psychology Note: This course is required for NCTRC Certification. |
3.00 |
|
|
Understanding Indigenous Perspectives and Experiences |
3.00 |
|
|
Therapeutic Recreation Foundations |
3.00 |
|
|
Leisure and Community Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Professional Skills and Person-Centred Approaches in Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Recreation Leadership I |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles and Practices of Health |
3.00 |
|
|
Communication Skills for Recreation and Health Professionals |
3.00 |
|
|
Therapeutic Recreation Process I |
3.00 |
|
|
Inclusive Leisure Practice |
3.00 |
|
|
Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Mental Health |
3.00 |
|
|
Older Adulthood: Psychosocial Issues and Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Physical Fitness: Theory and Application in Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Recreation Leadership II |
3.00 |
|
|
Therapeutic Recreation and Physical and Developmental Disabilities |
3.00 |
|
|
Chronic Health Conditions and Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Therapeutic Recreation and Recreation Health Promotion: Degree |
4.00 |
|
|
Advanced Interpersonal Skills in Leisure Counselling |
3.00 |
|
|
Recreation Leadership III: Advanced Leadership and Group Processes in Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
|
Community Development: Concepts and Application in Health and Social Services |
3.00 |
|
|
Research Methods and Implementation |
3.00 |
|
|
Management in Therapeutic Recreation in Health and Social Services |
3.00 |
|
|
Leisure Education |
3.00 |
|
|
Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing: Theoretical, Practical, and Policy Perspectives |
3.00 |
|
|
Current Issues and Trends in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
|
Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion: Internship |
12.00 |
|
|
Advanced Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
|
Elective (Upper level) |
Select two 3000-5999 level course. |
6.00 |
|
Elective (UT or Upper level) |
Select two 1000/2000 level university transferable course or 3000/4000 level course. |
6.00 |
|
Total Credits |
|
121.00 |
Support Areas
Degree students must choose a minimum of two support areas from the eight choices listed below, and must have their choices approved by a TR Faculty Advisor. Support areas provide an increased depth of knowledge, in addition to the required TR courses, and will guide elective course selection as well as practicum site placement (THRT 2455 & THRT 4855).
Elective Courses
Degree students must select open electives (24 credits). The open elective courses a student takes will depend on specialty interest courses and the two support areas selected. Elective courses must connect to the student's two identified support areas. Please meet with your TR Faculty Advisor prior to registering in any elective course to ensure the course is acceptable for graduation.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Recommended Electives: | ||
| CFCS 3810 | Directed Research Studies | 3.00 |
| CFCS 4905 | Wellness Coaching | 3.00 |
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
This depends on the setting, the type of work you choose to do, and whether you have a diploma or a degree. The average starting salary for a Degree graduate is approximately $30/hour and upwards. Degree graduates are also more likely to advance over time, to positions that pay more.
The Degree is not offered online. We offer an Online Diploma pathway if you are interested in online/distance education.
No, you can apply to the degree program as a first year student and complete the four years as a degree student. Applicants unable to commit to attending full-time classes for four years can complete the diploma on a full-time basis then apply to the degree program as a third year access student.
Yes, you can choose to do third year degree access as a full-time or part-time student. A number of the third and fourth year courses are offered in the late afternoon, evening, three hour blocks or in alternate delivery styles.
This is a common question, especially if you've been out of school for some time. We recommend that you feel comfortable with your writing skills. If you know that you could improve your writing skills, we recommend that you take a suitable course or that you involve yourself in any experience that will give you practice and feedback on your writing skills. For example, you may want to take a short course or workshop through your local School Board Continuing Education offerings, or through you local Parks and Leisure Service Agency Program offerings. If you are confident with your academic writing skills, this is likely not necessary.
It's also helpful to have good computer skills, especially word processing (for writing papers) and internet research skills. Other skills include time management, organizational skills and coping skills for wellness.
While volunteering isn’t required, you may wish to volunteer in the industry in order to get a feel for Therapeutic Recreation.
Lastly, we recommend that you start the program having practiced what we preach; in other words, enjoy some leisure and do whatever it is that builds wellness for you.
The program utilizes computer technology and it is therefore expected that students enter the program with basic word processing and Windows application skills.
Career opportunities include: