Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession)

Diploma of Health and Human Sciences

Duration: 5 semesters plus practicums

ANNOUNCEMENT

Academy Canada would like to officially announce the signing of a new leasing agreement with Douglas College for Therapeutic Recreation. Douglas College has recently changed their Therapeutic diploma program to a degree program.

In signing the new lease agreement, Academy Canada’s Therapeutic Recreation students, upon completion of their two-year program, will be able to apply for transfer of credit into the Therapeutic Recreation degree program at Douglas College. As per the license agreement:

The College [Douglas College] agrees to conduct an assessment of Academy Canada’s Therapeutic Recreation curriculum to determine a transfer agreement. This will provide graduates of [the] Academy Canada’s Therapeutic Recreation program transfer [of] credit up to 60 credits and an opportunity to apply to the College’s Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree program.

For more information call Academy Canada at 1-800-561-8000!

Program Description

Therapeutic Recreation is about play – and so much more. For Therapeutic Recreation practitioners and their clients, it’s about embracing challenges and helping people make the most of their lives. Leisure and recreation are essential parts of a healthy life. Research has clearly shown that physical activity, stress reduction, good nutrition, mental stimulation and friendships are necessary to good health.

Traditionally, Therapeutic Recreation has focused on using recreation experiences to assist those people with disabilities and illnesses to overcome barriers that prevent them from achieving a fulfilling quality of life. Currently therapeutic recreation is broader then that and includes services to people who have any barrier that prevents them from achieving optimal health and quality of life (i.e. employee wellness programs). This program focuses on providing leisure services to those with mental health issues, specifically teenagers. For a young person with a spinal cord injury, therapeutic recreation is a way to increase endurance, strength and independence, and ease their return to community living. For the older person in a long-term care facility, recreation activities provide them with the social and physical stimulation that are essential in maintaining physical and emotional well-being, self-respect and development as a person. For the adult working in a busy workplace environment, leisure education and activities help build effective stress management skills, work-life balance and plans for a healthy and enjoyable retirement. You will learn about the importance of leisure and how it promotes health, self-esteem, self worth, status, recognition, employment, satisfaction, and/or independence.

(Source: Therapeutic Recreation Department, Douglas College, 2008)

Upon completion of their two-year program, graduates may choose to apply for transfer of up to 60 credits towards the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree program at Douglas College.

Program Courses

• Lifespan Human Development
• Therapeutic Recreation Delivery in NL
• Leisure, Recreation & Health Throughout the Lifespan
• Therapeutic Recreation Foundations
• Recreation Program Planning
• Principles & Practice of Health
• Assessment and Program Planning in Therapeutic Recreation
• Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation & Mental Health
• Communication Skills for Recreation and Health
• English
• Leisure & Recreation Foundations
• Recreation Leadership in Small Groups
• Inclusive Leisure Practice
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II
• Physical Fitness: Theory and Application in Therapeutic Recreation
• Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation Physical/Developmental Disabling Conditions
• Understanding Culture and Faith
• Aging Adaptation to Chronic Disease/Illness
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
• Challenges Facing Aging
• Communication with the Elderly
• Introduction to Computers with Publisher
• Student Success
• Human Relations and Ethical Issues
• Standard First Aid
• Back Injury Prevention
• WHMIS
• TR Practice I
• TR Practice II
• TR Practice III
• TR Practice IV
• TR Practice V
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession) program, which includes practicums, recreational therapy workers are eligible (depending on specific hiring practices) to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, extended care facilities, personal care homes, or recreational facilities. They will help people with illnesses, disabilities, and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, independence, and well-being.

Please click here for additional labour market information.

Entrance Requirements

High School Graduates or Equivalent

High School Graduates or equivalent are eligible for admission to the Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession) program. Students must complete an application form and provide a copy of High School, Adult Basic Education, or G.E.D. results. Under certain circumstances, students who do not meet the formal High School requirements may be accepted upon the recommendation of a High School Principal or Guidance Counsellor. Please contact an Admissions Officer for further details.

Mature Students

Mature students are eligible for admission to the Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession) program. These students must be 19 years of age or older, complete an application form, provide a copy of most recent marks, and write a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) as arranged by Academy Canada.

Specific Entrance Requirements

Students must submit two written letters of reference (no personal references) and a Conduct Certificate from their local Police Department.

Conduct Certificate: Students acquiring a Conduct Certificate for admission into a program take on the responsibility of its validity. Students are solely accountable for any offenses not uncovered by the investigation being discovered and precluding the student from subsequent work terms or employment.

Please note: Academy Canada reserves the right to deny admission into this program based on an unpardoned criminal record that would bear relevance to the field-term requirements of the program. In addition, employers will be given a copy of the student’s Conduct Certificate on file prior to accepting students into the field-term situation.

Program Requirements

Immunization Review: Students must submit a completed immunization review form for work term/practicum placements Students will be responsible for completing the immunization review form and submitting to the Registrar’s Office of Academy Canada by the end of their first semester of study (with the exception of immunizations that require multiple test periods which may be in progress). Non-compliance with this requirement could result in the student’s inability to participate in the work term/practicum component of this program which is also a required element for successful program completion.

Supporting Documents

To view Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession) supporting documents, click here.

For further information, please contact an Admissions Officer at 1-800-561-8000 or visit the information request page.

To apply for the Therapeutic Recreation (Disability Support and Geriatric Profession) or other Academy Canada programs online, click here.

Program start dates are subject to sufficient enrollment.

Academy Canada reserves the right to modify any programs, courses, topics, objectives, etc.