Therapeutic Recreation (Bachelor)

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Program Code
BTR
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Therapeutic Recreation
Credential Type
Bachelor's Degree
Transcript Title
Bach Therapeutic Recreation
Date of First Offering
Start Term
202010
End Term
202110
Credential
Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation
Length of Program
Eight semesters
Credits
121.00
Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the Year One admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Attendance at an Information Session is strongly recommended
  • Successful completion of at least 45 hours of supervised work (paid or volunteer) in recreation services for people with disabilities or older adults within the year prior to the application date of April 1.
  • A Letter of Intent outlining the reasons a candidate has chosen this program, long and short-term goals, and strengths and limitations
  • An up-to-date resume - highly recommended
  • Department Eligibility Form
  • Informed Medical Suitability Declaration indicating satisfactory level of physical and emotional health after application to the Therapeutic Recreation Program
  • Preferential Admission Evidence - see below
  • A personal interview may be required. If an interview is required, it will occur after April 1 and the applicant will be notified
  • NOTE:  Applicants who have completed 9 or more post-secondary credits must be in good academic standing (with a minimum GPA of 1.5) for admission to any CFCS program.

Due once an offer of admission is made:

  • A Criminal Record Check -  Applicants will receive instructions from the Registrar's Office once an offer of admission has been made
  • A TB test - a negative TB test or Chest X-Ray done within the past two years

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 who are unsure if Therapeutic Recreation is a profession they are interested in and would like an opportunity to sample some courses
  • Students who are unsuccessful in the current application process due to seat availability but would like to continue to work towards acceptance into the BTR
  • Students who are unsuccessful in the current application process due to readiness or suitability but would like to continue to work towards acceptance into the BTR

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 three courses from the following:

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 prior to the April 1 BTR application deadline.

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

  • Re-application to Douglas college – TR Bachelor Degree – 3rd year
  • Submit a Letter of Intent that outlines reasons for choosing this program, short-and long-term goals and strengths and limitations as a candidate.
  • Complete an Informed Medical Suitability Declaration Form (supplied by TR Department after application)
  • Complete a post-secondary Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Public Safety via Douglas College (forms supplied by the Registrar's Office).  All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student.
  • Participate in an interview (may be required)
  • Applicants who graduated more than 5 years previously must also submit a Referee Form completed by their current employer (supplied by TR Department). The form must come directly from the employer to Douglas College.

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.

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 

  • Meet the General College Admission Requirements
  • Have a minimum grade of C (60%)in individual courses counting towards the BTR credential.
  • Submit a Letter of Intent that outlines reasons for choosing this program, short-and long-term goals and strengths and limitations as a candidate.
  • Complete an Informed Medical Suitability Declaration Form (supplied by TR Department after application)
  • Complete a Criminal Record Check (information supplied by the Office of the Registrar after application)
  • Provide proof of credential– submission of transcripts
  • Participate in an interview(may be required)
  • Applicants who graduated more than 5 years previously must also submit a Referee Form completed by their current employer (supplied by TR Department). The form must come directly from the employer to Douglas College.

Admission will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

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.

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 121 credits
  • 25% (31 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • Students in the BTR are required to attain a minimum of 60% ( C letter grade) in all courses utilized for credit toward the Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation in order to progress in the program.
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required 

Program Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Select one of the following three options:

BIOL 1103

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3.00

BIOL 1105

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3.00

BIOL 1109

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3.00

Select one of the following three options:

BIOL 1203

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3.00

BIOL 1205

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3.00

BIOL 1209

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3.00

Required Courses:

ENGL 1130

Academic Writing

3.00

ENGL or CMNS Elective (UT)

Any university transferable course from CMNS or ENGL

3.00

PHIL 4706

Ethics in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

PSYC 1100

An Introduction to Psychology I

3.00

PSYC 1130

Lifespan Human Development

3.00

PSYC 2341

Abnormal Psychology

Note: This course is required for NCTRC Certification.

3.00

THRT 1101

Therapeutic Recreation Foundations

3.00

THRT 1102

Leisure & Recreation Foundations

3.00

THRT 1201

Recreation Program Planning

3.00

THRT 1203

Leisure, Recreation and Health Throughout the Lifespan

3.00

THRT 1204 (1)

Principles and Practices of Health

3.00

THRT 1205

Communication Skills for Recreation and health Promotion Professionals

3.00

THRT 2301

Assessment and Program Planning in Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2306

Inclusive Leisure Practice

3.00

THRT 2307

Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Mental Health

3.00

THRT 2308

Older Adulthood: Psychosocial Issues and Interventions

3.00

THRT 2309

Physical Fitness: Theory and Application in Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2406

Recreation Leadership in Small Groups

3.00

THRT 2407

Value Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Physical and Developmental Disabling Conditions

3.00

THRT 2408

Chronic Health Conditions and Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2455 (2)

Therapeutic Recreation Health Promotion Practice: Degree

4.00

THRT 3504

Managing Stress:  Principles and Strategies for Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 3505

Counselling: Theory and Practice in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 3506

Group Processes and Group Work Practice: Advanced Skills for Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 3601

Community Development and Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 3710

Community-Based Research

3.00

THRT 4701

Management in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 4704

Leisure, Health and Wellbeing: Theoretical, Practical and Policy Perspectives

3.00

THRT 4802

Current Issues and Trends in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

THRT 4855

Therapeutic Recreation and Recreation Health Promotion: Internship

12.00

THRT 4901

Advanced Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion

3.00

Elective (UPLV)

Select two 3000-5999 level course.

6.00

Elective (UT or UPLV)

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).

  1. Gerontology
  2. Physical Rehabilitation
  3. Mental Health
  4. Corrections/Criminology
  5. Children and Youth
  6. Adapted and Adventure Programming
  7. Entrepreneurship/Business Management
  8. Employee/Workplace Wellness

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.

The following elective course is required for National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC):

Course Number Course Title Credits
PSYC 2341 Abnormal Psychology 3.00
Recommended Electives:    
CFCS 3810 Directed Research Studies 3.00
CFCS 4905 Wellness Coaching 3.00