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:
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.
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,
For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at a campus nearest you.
| Sample Job Title | NOC Classification1 | Earning Potential2 |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Therapist | Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (3144) | $42,600 - $83,200 |
| Therapeutic Recreation Programmer | Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (3144) | $42,600 - $83,200 |
| Recreation Therapy Assistant | Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (3414) | $31,200 - $70,800 |
There is an intake to this program every second year (odd numbered years only).
View latest program status info
Length: 70 weeks:Year 1 - 35 weeks; Year 2 - 35 weeks
Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.
In order to graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking the clinicals or practicums.
Note:
ACCUPLACER©
The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.
Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.
Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.
See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.
2020/21 Academic Year
Year 2 only - $10,545
Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training. See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for courses in this program.
Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.
