Start Dates & Ontario Colleges Program Codes:
CIP Code: 51.2309 (PGWP eligible)
Empower Lives Through Therapeutic Recreation
Recreation therapy is more than just fun—it's a powerful tool for healing, growth, and connection. As a recreation therapist, you'll help individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, or social limitations find joy, purpose, and improved well-being through leisure activities.
Confederation College's Accelerated Recreation Therapy program equips you with the skills to assess individual needs and interests, plan and implement engaging leisure services, evaluate program effectiveness, and encourage independent and fulfilling leisure lifestyles.
Our comprehensive curriculum covers therapeutic recreation principles, developmental psychology, program and event planning, communications for community services, administrative practices, physical activity leadership, and recreation facilities management.
Top Highlights
- Hands-On Experience: 450 hours of field placement
- Professional Memberships: Free memberships with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) and Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO)
- Accelerated Program: Designed for those with a designated diploma or degree
- Specialized Certification: Opportunity to receive Dementiability Methods certification
- Career-Ready Skills: Prepare for diverse roles in healthcare, community services, and more
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Assess the unique strengths, needs, challenges, and interests of individuals encountering barriers to engaging in leisure, aiding them in achieving their leisure objectives.
- Accurately collect, document, and communicate comprehensive client information in verbal, written, and electronic formats, conforming to current ministry guidelines and professional standards.
- Formulate, execute, and assess individual and group recreation therapy programs that meet the identified needs, are in line with assessment outcomes, and comply with current best practices.
- Design leisure education programs and services for clients, their families, and other healthcare professionals to underscore the personal, social, economic, and health-related benefits of recreation therapy services.
- Investigate and appraise recreation therapy theories and practices to improve professional effectiveness and contribute to the field's growth.
- Forge and sustain cooperative relationships with clients, inter-professional teams, and community service providers in the delivery of safe and efficient recreation therapy services.
- Contribute to the development of administrative, marketing, financial, and human resource strategies that bolster the provision of recreation therapy services.
- Adopt strategies and plans for continuous personal and professional development within the evolving therapeutic recreation landscape.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Succeed in the Accelerated Recreation Therapy program if you are:
- Compassionate: Genuinely care about improving others' quality of life
- Creative: Able to design engaging and therapeutic activities for diverse needs
- Patient: Comfortable working with individuals who may have various limitations
- Communicative: Skilled at explaining and motivating in various settings
- Adaptable: Ready to tailor approaches for different individuals and situations
Graduates of the Accelerated Recreation Therapy program are prepared for diverse roles, including:
- Recreation Therapist in Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers
- Activity Director in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Community Program Coordinator for Non-Profit Organizations
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in Mental Health Services
- Inclusion Facilitator in School Systems
- Recreation Programmer for Seniors' Residences
- Wellness Coordinator in Correctional Facilities
Advanced training options can include specializations in geriatric care, mental health, or pediatric recreation therapy.
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