This one-year (three semester) program prepares students with specialized training to work within recreation, health, education and/or social service delivery systems serving individuals a variety of abilities. Graduates will acquire the skills to complete standardized client assessments, develop and evaluate group and individualized programs and use a variety of facilitative techniques to assist individuals to participate in meaningful recreation activities that will enhance health, improve functional ability and increase quality of life. The program is built on the core belief of the inherent benefits of play, recreation and leisure to all people. Students will learn to adapt recreation activities so people with a variety of abilities can participate and to use recreation as a therapeutic tool to improve, maintain, and/or restore health and wellness.

Our program includes face-to-face classes primarily and some online classes to provide maximum flexibility for students who may be working in the field and wanting to upgrade their credentials.

Recognizing the increasing opportunities for private practice, a unique feature of our program is a course in Small Business Development to provide students with the skills in the areas of financial literacy, private practice documentation requirements, relevant business regulations, business planning, etc.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The St. Lawrence College Therapeutic Recreation curriculum has been successfully reviewed and determined to be in alignment with the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) Essential Competency Framework (ECF). As a result, graduates of this program are eligible to apply for Registered Professional designation with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO).

Students in this program also receive a student membership with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO).

Graduates of the Therapeutic Recreation program may find employment working with individuals of all ages in health, recreation or human service organizations. Specifically, graduates may find work in long term care facilities, adult day programs, hospices, hospitals and health care agencies, rehabilitation centres, residential facilities, mental health agencies, addiction services and community agencies, schools and in private practice.

Graduates have attained work in a variety of community agencies including: Kids Inclusive, Providence Care, City of Ottawa, Girls Inc., Villa Marconi (Ottawa),Helen Henderson, The Royal, Golden Life Management (British Columbia), Spark Life Care, Sienna Senior Living (Toronto).