Therapeutic Recreation Degree

Program Description

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is a new interdisciplinary degree, whose graduates are able to assess client needs and to design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions. Therapeutic interventions are activities in recreation, social settings, arts, and crafts that are designed to achieve therapeutic outcomes in the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual domains. The activities are purposeful interventions designed to prevent health problems in an individual or group, or to rehabilitate an individual's or group's capacity to obtain their full potential. Recent trends have elevated therapeutic recreation from an adjunct therapy to a therapy of first choice in order to address emerging health and social issues.

In Canada, the delivery of health care is moving away from a medical, doctor-centered approach and toward a more interdisciplinary-team approach. Graduates of the Therapeutic Recreation Degree program become part of interdisciplinary teams made up of professionals from various areas of study. Some of the professionals that are often part of these teams are doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, clerics, and other recreation therapists. The mix of professions varies with the nature of the client’s needs.

With the shift toward an interdisciplinary-team approach, it has become essential that all health care providers have some knowledge and expertise in related health disciplines. The Therapeutic Recreation Degree program includes curricula that cross over into related disciplines including occupational therapy, social work, physiotherapy, psychology, addictions, counseling, community development, vocational rehabilitation, and restorative care. The interdisciplinary content of the Therapeutic Recreation program positions graduates for rewarding careers within a variety of employment opportunities.

In semesters six, seven, and eight, the therapeutic recreation program gives students the opportunity to take one of six employment-enhancement ‘streams‘. Students may wish to take the interdisciplinary stream, or focus on addictions, community development, mental health, physical rehabilitation, or wellness. The streams allow students to increase their knowledge in a specialized area in order to meet emerging trends within the field.

*Note: The number of streams available to students will depend upon enrollment, sufficient student interest and/or industry demand.

Seneca College has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a seven-year term starting July 20, 2009. Seneca will ensure that all students admitted to the above named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
• Six Grade 12 (U) or (M) courses with a minimum 65% average including:
  • Grade 12 English: ENG4(U)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics: any (U) level Mathematics
• Mature students (age 19 years or older) must submit proof of credits in the above subjects or their equivalent.

Note: If you have successfully completed one year of college (10 credits) with a GPA of 3.0, the grade 12 (U) level math and English credits are not required for admission.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

As a recreation therapist you will assess the wellness needs of your clients then design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions to best meet those needs. You can work in a number of settings, including hospitals, hospice centres, rehabilitation centres, mental health facilities, homes for the aged, community centres, family services centre, schools, and camps.

The Importance of Learning Skills Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Co-operative Education

This program’s co-op work term is a valuable opportunity for you to practice in the therapeutic recreation field. It’s a paid, 15-week placement at an approved recreational site. Your co-op supervisor will help you prepare for, select, and contract with an approved co-op opportunity, and provide you with support throughout your learning experience in placement.

Field Work

During semesters five through eight, you will complete unpaid field placements of approximately one day per week.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has the largest number of health and social agencies in Canada, as well as one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. The diversity of populations in the GTA and the large number of agencies serving their needs provide students of the Therapeutic Recreation degree program with a wide choice of co-op and field placement opportunities.

Curriculum

Employment Enhancement Stream Options

The Therapeutic Recreation degree is designed so that the students has a choice of one of six "employment enhancement streams". The six streams are: Addiction, Community, Development, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Wellness and an Interdisciplinary stream.

Five of the streams have a set curriculum, as outlined in the tables below. The sixth stream, the "interdisciplinary" stream, is composed of six subjects drawn from any of the other five streams.

Please note that not all streams will be offered at one time. The number of streams available to students will be dependent upon enrollment, sufficient student interest and/or industry demand.

Seneca College has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a five-year term. Seneca will ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I’ve already studied at college/university. Can I get advanced standing for the courses I’ve already completed?
   
   You can certainly apply for advanced standing for some of your courses after you’ve been accepted into the therapeutic recreation programme. University courses in which you’ve passed with a C average of above—and are similar in content and delivery to our TR courses—will be considered for advanced standing. College diploma-level courses are treated differently; if you’ve received a C average in two or more courses of similar content, they may used to apply for advanced standing in one TR course. Advanced standing is awarded only after original transcripts and course syllabi from the college/university you’ve attended have been compared and evaluated against the TR courses you wish to be exempt from.
   
   You can find the Application for Advanced Standing form at any Seneca Registrar’s office, or online (pdf).
    
2. I don’t have a science background. Will I find some of the TR subjects difficult?
   
   Because physical activity and physical rehabilitation are important components in the field of recreation therapy, we encourage a strong understanding of the biological sciences like anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and disease processes. While an academic background in the sciences is preferred, it’s not a requirement. There are many support services at Seneca that can help you with your studies in these courses.
   
   
3. What’s the bus route to King?
   
   York Regional Transit has three bus routes to King Campus:
   From Toronto: Routes 22 and 88
   From Aurora: Route 32
   Look here for more information on the York Region Transit website.
    
4. I’ve completed a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Is the procedure for receiving advanced standing the same?
   
   Students who have graduated with an RLS diploma are eligible for a block credit transfer. This means a student who’s achieved an overall 3.0 GPA in the relevant subjects is able to receive advanced standing in a preset number of courses. As a result, the RLS graduate will be able to complete the TR degree in three years instead of four.
   
   
5. What jobs can I get in Therapeutic Recreation?
   
   The recreation therapist has opportunities in many areas. Certified recreation therapists work in hospitals, health clinics, community centres, rehabilitation clinics, correctional institutions, retirement homes and homes for the aged, summer camps, hospices, and family service centres.
    
6. What other educational opportunities are there?
   
   Achieving a degree in therapeutic recreation at Seneca prepares you for certification in TR and for working in the field. If you wish to continue your studies, your degree provides you with a solid foundation for pursuing other college or university degrees.
   
   
7. Am I qualified to become a physiotherapist or occupational therapist after completing the TR program?
   
   No. The academic requirements and professional competencies for physiotherapy and occupational therapy are very different from what’s established for recreation therapists. Seneca’s TR program prepares you for becoming a certified recreation therapist only.
    
8. Is the TR programme offered on a part-time basis?
   
   No. At this time, our program is only offered on a full-time basis.
    
9. Are any of the courses offered online or at another campus?
   
   No. All of our classes are delivered in the classroom at King Campus.
    

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