Therapeutic Recreation (BScR-TR)
As a therapeutic recreation student you will learn how recreation and leisure improve health and well-being, and graduate with a 16-week internship supervised by a certified specialist.
Why choose this program?
Therapeutic recreation specialists are allied health professionals who design and deliver recreation and leisure programs that support health and well-being. In this accredited program, you learn through hands-on experience and a 16-week internship.
Dalhousie’s program was the first in Canada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. You graduate prepared to write the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, and our students regularly score above the national average.
Careers
Graduates work on interdisciplinary teams in health care and recreation, helping people of all ages improve their health and well-being through meaningful leisure. You can work in mental health and addictions, rehabilitation, long-term care, municipal recreation and community centres, or outdoor recreation.
The field of therapeutic recreation is growing. 100% of our students meet expectations on their final internship performance appraisals.
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
- 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.
Learn by doing
In your final year, you complete a 16-week internship in an organization of your choice, supervised by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Customize your degree
Add an Honours to your degree to build research skills with mentorship from a faculty member; you apply in your third year. Choose therapeutic recreation specializations, such as aging and lifestyle, physical and developmental disabilities, or mental 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
Graduate ready to work as a recreation therapist, with the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to help people of all ages and abilities lead healthier, more connected lives.
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.
