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
202320
End Term
Not Specified
Credential
Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation
Length of Program
Four years
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.
  • Admission to the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program is contingent upon suitability and readiness for the program.
    • Suitability is determined on the basis of awareness of self and others, life/work experience and overall personal readiness
  • Applicants will submit:
    • A Letter of Intent outlining the reasons a candidate has chosen this program, long and short term goals, and strengths and limitations as a candidate
    • A program application form
    • An up-to-date resume
    • A minimum 2 letters of reference with one being from a current (within 1 year) employer, teacher or instructor.
    • A personal interview may be required.
  • Due once an offer of admission is made:
    • A Criminal Record Check – Applicants will receive instruction from Enrolment Services once an offer of admission has been made.
    • A tuition deposit to secure seat (full-time applicants only)

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 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 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

  • Re-application to Douglas College – Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation – 3rd year
  •  Letter of Intent outlining the  reasons a candidate has chosen this program, short-and long-term goals, and strengths and limitations as a candidate.
  • Complete a program application form.
  • A personal 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.

Due once an offer of admission is made:

  • A Criminal Record Check- Applicants will receive instruction from Enrolment Services once an offer of admission has been made.
  • A  tuition deposit to secure seat (full time applicants only)

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 

  • Meet the General College Admission Requirements
  • Have a minimum grade of C (60%)in individual courses counting towards the BTR credential.
  • A Letter of Intent  outlining reasons a candidate has chosen this program, short-and long-term goals and strengths and limitations as a candidate.
  • Complete a program application form.
  • Provide proof of credential– submission of transcripts.
  • A personal 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.

Due once an offer of admission is made:

  • A Criminal Record Check- Applicants will receive instruction from the Registrar's Office once an offer of admission has been made.
  • A tuition deposit to secure seat (full time applicants only)

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.

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 121 credits
  • 40% 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 
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: ten (10) years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Program Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Required Courses:

BIOL 1104

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

3.00

ENGL 1130

Academic Writing

3.00

ENGL or CMNS Elective (UT)

Any university transferable course from ENGL or CMNS

3.00

PHIL 4706

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

PSYC 1130

Lifespan Human Development

3.00

PSYC 2341

Abnormal Psychology

Note: This course is required for NCTRC Certification.

3.00

CFCS 2432

Understanding Indigenous Perspectives and Experiences

3.00

THRT 1101

Therapeutic Recreation Foundations

3.00

THRT 1102

Leisure and Community Recreation

3.00

THRT 1122

Professional Skills and Person-Centred Approaches in Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 1203

Recreation Leadership I

3.00

THRT 1204

Principles and Practices of Health

3.00

THRT 1205

Communication Skills for Recreation and Health  Professionals

3.00

THRT 2302

Therapeutic Recreation Process I

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 Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2309

Physical Fitness: Theory and Application in Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2406

Recreation Leadership II

3.00

THRT 2407

Therapeutic Recreation and Physical and Developmental Disabilities

3.00

THRT 2408

Chronic Health Conditions and Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 2455

Therapeutic Recreation and Recreation Health Promotion: Degree

4.00

THRT 3505

Advanced Interpersonal Skills in Leisure Counselling

3.00

THRT 3506

Recreation Leadership III: Advanced Leadership and Group Processes in Therapeutic Recreation

3.00

THRT 3601

Community Development: Concepts and Application in Health and Social Services

3.00

THRT 3710

Research Methods and Implementation

3.00

THRT 4701

Management in Therapeutic Recreation in Health and Social Services

3.00

THRT 4702

Leisure Education

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 Health Promotion: Internship

12.00

THRT 4901

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).

  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
  9. Developmental Disabilities
  10. International Studies
  11. Community Recreation
  12. Research-Graduate Studies

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