Why choose this program?
Learn how recreation and leisure experiences can be used to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, illnesses and other limitations. Therapeutic Recreation specialists are allied health professionals who design and implement purposeful and meaningful recreation and leisure programs and interventions for holistic health and wellbeing.
Dalhousie’s Therapeutic Recreation program is the first to be accredited in Canada by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and graduates are prepared to write the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum average of 70%
English (min. 70%)
Four additional academic subjects.
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
In the final year of the program, a 16-week internship under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist takes you out of the classroom and provides you with hands-on work experience that enhances your studies. 100% of our students achieve expectations on their final internship performance appraisals.
If you’re interested in research, the honours option will provide you with a valuable opportunity to gain research experience with mentorship from a Therapeutic Recreation faculty member.
The following Therapeutic Recreation program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Health. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Science, Recreation (Therapeutic Recreation)
Bachelor of Science, Recreation (Therapeutic Recreation) with Honours
What you will learn
The Therapeutic Recreation Program prepares competent recreation therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behaviour) learning domains, to work in a variety of settings as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Class sizes are small, so you have the opportunity to work closely with fellow students and faculty.
In first year, you’ll take introductory leisure studies courses as well as some courses in other areas such as sociology, psychology, anatomy, and physiology. In upper years, your courses will include specific courses in Therapeutic Recreation along with other required courses in health, and also some electives where you can choose courses to fit your interests.
Sample courses may include:
- Foundations of Recreation
- Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation
- Introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience
- People and Culture
- Inclusive Recreation Service Delivery
- Leadership and Group Dynamics
- Human Growth and Development
- Program Planning
- Counselling Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation
- Assessment, Planning and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation Service
- Therapeutic Recreation Facilitation, Implementation, and Evaluation
- Leisure Education
- TR Specialization: Aging and Lifestyle
- Therapeutic Recreation Internship
- Administrative Concepts in Therapeutic Recreation
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialization - Physical and Developmental Disabilities
- Therapeutic Recreation for Mental Health and Wellbeing
After completing the program, you’ll be well prepared to write the NCTRC exam and begin a rewarding career in the field.
Careers
Dalhousie students regularly achieve higher than the national average of pass rates on the NCTRC exam. Therapeutic Recreation is a rapidly growing field and new career opportunities are constantly being created. You’ll be well prepared to start a rewarding career as a member of an interdisciplinary team within the healthcare and recreation sectors.
Some settings where graduates may find employment include:
• Mental health and addictions
• Rehabilitation
• Municipal recreation and community centres
• Long-term care
• Outdoor recreation
Future studies could include programs at the graduate level in recreation and leisure studies or other health professions.
