Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation - Therapeutic Recreation Degree

Program Description

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is a new interdisciplinary degree that provides you with the skills and knowledge you will need to assess, design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions for clients. 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. Clients now seek out therapeutic recreation as a therapy of first choice.

Canada’s health care system has moved toward an interdisciplinary–team approach, with professional teams comprised of specialists from a variety of studies – key among them, recreation therapists. As a graduate of the Therapeutic Recreation degree program, you will work collaboratively with doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, clerics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other recreation therapists to meet your clients’ needs.

In DTR, you will gain foundational knowledge and expertise in related health disciplines including health sciences, recreation, occupational therapy, social work, physiotherapy, and psychology.

In semesters six, seven, and eight, you will have the opportunity to select 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. These streams allow you to increase your knowledge in a specialized area and gain an added advantage in the workplace.

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

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.

In accordance with PEQAB requirements, this program has a minimum overall acceptable achievement for progression. Scholarship opportunities are available for candidates with distinguished academic records in their high school careers.

A variety of scholarships and bursaries are available to students based on merit and financial needs.

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. Seminars, workshops and tutoring are available at Seneca's Learning Centres.

Fees

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Your Career

Become a recreation therapist. Earn your bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and your career will include assessing the wellness needs of your clients and then designing, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic interventions for people who need them. You could pursue a career in a number of settings, including hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centres, mental health centres, homes for the aged, community centres, family services centres, correctional facilities, boys and girls clubs, schools, and camps.

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, 14–week placement at an approved site. Your co–op supervisor will help you prepare for, select, and contract with an approved co–op agency, 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.

Diploma to Degree Transfers

If you have already graduated from a program in Recreation and Leisure Services or Social Service Worker – Gerontology, you may be eligible for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program.

Curriculum

Employment Enhancement Stream Options:

The Therapeutic Recreation degree is designed so that the students have 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 has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a 7-year term starting July 21, 2009. In conformity with the Minister’s criteria and requirements, Seneca will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent. Seneca shall 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.

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