Therapeutic Recreation DIPLOMA at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program Overview

Therapeutic recreation is a career that attracts organized, outgoing, active individuals who like working with people of all abilities. You need to be good at encouraging people to set goals, develop skills and try new things.

Career opportunities are diverse—be a recreation therapist, a recreation coordinator, an activity director or programmer. Work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team in clinical or community-based settings, from hospitals to rehabilitation centres.

Therapeutic Recreation is a two-year diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus . It is also offered through distance education. You’ll learn from knowledgeable instructors how to use recreation as a means of improving health, functional ability and quality of life. The program provides a broad knowledge base, from human growth and development to sociology. Your studies will focus on:

• assessment of individual needs, functional abilities and leisure behaviours
• development of individualized treatment plans
• documenting progress
• using facilitation techniques to meet individual goals
• practicing therapeutic recreation based on professional standards
• modifying activities to meet individual abilities
• participating as a member of a health care team

Learn through Practical Experience

Apply what you’ve learned in class in real-world settings. The program includes three practicums. Each one will provide opportunities to apply assessment techniques, conduct activity analysis and selection, develop and evaluate treatment plans, get involved in individual and group program planning and more. You’ll also build important interpersonal and leadership abilities.

Pursue Professional Certification

If you’re interested in pursuing professional certification, the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association endorses the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification’s Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) as the certification for Canada.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

When you graduate, you’ll be able to work in both clinical and community-based settings. You could work in a hospital as part of a multidisciplinary health care team, in a long-term care facility, adult day program, rehabilitation centre, addiction program or mental health program. Explore career opportunities with health regions, provincial or federal health agencies,