Therapeutic Recreation at Norquest Collage

Overview

Learn how to enhance your clients’ quality of life through leisure activities. Gain knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate individual and group therapeutic recreation and social activities, and explore the concepts, theory, and practical experiences related to leadership and critical thinking.

You will learn how to enhance your clients' quality of life through leisure activities. The program will prepare you to work with a variety of client groups in different care settings.

Both a certificate and diploma are available:

• The certificate year (Year 1) Therapeutic Recreation – certificate focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities.
• The diploma year (Year 2) focuses on the concepts, theory, and practical experiences related to leadership and critical thinking in order to prepare graduates to work more independently.

Student Success

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands.
• have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their clinical practice.
• have access to a computer and basic computer skills

Applicants are requested to review the job requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the therapeutic recreation occupation.

Working in therapeutic recreation, you must be able to:

• work shifts and weekends
• be on your feet for extended periods of time
• use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
• be comfortable taking a leadership role in groups of all sizes
• work with clients of all ages, cultures, and genders
• function effectively independently, on a team, and in stressful situations
• demonstrate adaptability and critical thinking skills

Career Potential

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be qualified to work in continuing care, assisted living centres, hospitals, lodges, and mental health and day program settings.

Diploma students are eligible for student membership in the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). Graduates from this diploma program are eligible for professional membership in ATRA.

For more information on related careers see:

• ALIS OCCinfo occupational profiles
• ALIS WAGEinfo salary info