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.
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 average annual salary in B.C. is $50,000, with positions in health care often paying higher than average.
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.
Graduation Requirements:
Program Requirements:
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
Select one of the following three options: |
||
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
3.00 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
3.00 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
3.00 |
|
Select one of the following three options: | ||
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
3.00 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
3.00 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
3.00 |
|
Required Courses: |
||
Academic Writing |
3.00 |
|
ENGL or CMNS Elective (UT) |
Any university transferable course from CMNS or ENGL |
3.00 |
Ethics in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
An Introduction to Psychology I |
3.00 |
|
Lifespan Human Development |
3.00 |
|
Abnormal Psychology Note: This course is required for NCTRC Certification. |
3.00 |
|
Therapeutic Recreation Foundations |
3.00 |
|
Leisure & Recreation Foundations |
3.00 |
|
Recreation Program Planning |
3.00 |
|
Leisure, Recreation and Health Throughout the Lifespan |
3.00 |
|
THRT 1204 (1) |
Principles and Practices of Health |
3.00 |
Communication Skills for Recreation and health Promotion Professionals |
3.00 |
|
Assessment and Program Planning in Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
Inclusive Leisure Practice |
3.00 |
|
Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Mental Health |
3.00 |
|
Older Adulthood: Psychosocial Issues and Interventions |
3.00 |
|
Physical Fitness: Theory and Application in Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
Recreation Leadership in Small Groups |
3.00 |
|
Value Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Physical and Developmental Disabling Conditions |
3.00 |
|
Chronic Health Conditions and Therapeutic Recreation |
3.00 |
|
THRT 2455 (2) |
Therapeutic Recreation Health Promotion Practice: Degree |
4.00 |
Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
Counselling: Theory and Practice in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
Group Processes and Group Work Practice: Advanced Skills for Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
Community Development and Health Promotion |
3.00 |
|
Community-Based Research |
3.00 |
|
Management in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion |
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 Recreation Health Promotion: Internship |
12.00 |
|
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).
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 |
Applicants must meet the Year One admission requirements listed below:
Due once an offer of admission is made:
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 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
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
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.
You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page.
Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.
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.
The program utilizes computer technology and it is therefore expected that students enter the program with basic word processing and Windows application skills.
Applicants found suitable for admission but not offered a seat in the program will need to reapply. Therefore, applicants not offered a seat will be required to maintain involvement in recent volunteer/work experience totaling 45 hours within the year prior to their re-application.