This accelerated one-year program provides a fast-track opportunity for students having the proper admission requirements. This program prepares students for a profession that provides services and advocacy for individuals with a wide range of cognitive,
physical, social and emotional limitations.
During the program, students learn theoretical foundations and practical skills that allow them to competently work through the therapeutic recreation process. The practice of Recreation Therapy is based on the belief that play, recreation and leisure
are essential to achieving an individual's quality of life.
Through the development of meaningful goals and objectives individuals working in the recreation therapy field use recreation as a therapeutic tool to improve health and restore wellness. Through experiential learning that includes field placements and
a variety of community experiences, students receive valuable hands-on practice. Through this practice, students have the opportunity to further develop their skills in the areas of: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Students also have the opportunity to receive additional specialized training while enrolled in this program. Students should be aware that having a criminal record could impact their ability to secure a field placement.
Reasons to Choose Lambton College's Recreation Therapy - Accelerated program:
- Graduates are ready to work in an existing health care field.
- Opportunities for advanced standing are available for students applying with a degree or diploma in a Health Sciences or Human Services related field.
- Students receive a student membership to Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.
- Students receive additional training that is highly sought after by employers.
- Faculty are current and experts in their field.
- Community partnerships allow students to get practical, hands-on experience.
- Field placements within the recreation therapy setting.
See Course List
Admission Requirements
A college diploma or university degree in fields such as Developmental Service Worker, Child & Youth Care, Social Service Worker, Early Childhood Education or similar programs and/or a degree in a health related field. Additional course work may be required depending on the relevance of the applicant's degree or diploma.
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission
subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary
to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications
or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.
Course List
TRE-1033: Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation
This course provides an in-depth study of the scope of therapeutic recreation. Students study the historical and philosophical foundations of the professions. The role of therapeutic recreation professionals in the spectrum of health care and human service settings serving clients with a variety of disabilities is explored. A review of the various definitions used by each of the professional TR organizations, a variety of service models of practice as well as the Therapeutic Recreation process is introduced. Students develop an appreciation of the needs of people with different abilities and the barriers to recreation that they face. There is also a focus on approaches to integration within the community and the issues related to this profession. Students are introduced to ethics in the profession of Therapeutic Recreation.
TRE-2023: Adapted Recreation and Program Planning in Therapeutic Recreation
The focus of this course will be on understanding the importance of developing inclusive recreation programs and assisting clients to access activities through adaptive strategies and resources. Students will learn how to conduct activity and task analyses using a systematic approach and will source equipment and opportunities for individuals with a diverse array of interests and needs. Students will have the opportunity to facilitate, participate in, and evaluate a diverse range of adapted activities.
TRE-3013: Diverse Abilities in Therapeutic Recreation
This course examines a diverse range of conditions that may result in limitations with varying degrees of severity that have the potential to impact many different areas of life. There will be a focus on the abilities, limitations and characteristics of conditions and their relationship to the five domains of therapeutic recreation and quality of life. Person First language will be introduced to promote a positive attitude toward people with disabilities which will foster an individual, not a categorical, approach to understanding and working with people with disabilities. Legislation supporting persons living with diverse abilities will also be discussed.
TRE-3303: Leisure and Aging
Students will develop their knowledge of various issues related to aging including the aging process, theories on aging, ageism, implications of an aging Canadian society, and the role of recreational and leisure activity in the successful aging process. Included in this will be an exploration of various physical and cognitive ailments and disease processes commonly found in the elderly. With this knowledge, students will develop a variety of recreational and leisure programs that focus on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial elements.
HGD-1053: Introduction to Community Mental Health
Effective practitioners begin their work with an understanding of how individuals think, feel, and behave. Included in this knowledge must be the contextual factors that impact wellness, including the following: personal challenges, relationships, environmental stressors, and diversity needs. The goal of this course is to provide future front-line workers with practical examples of how a mental health concern might develop and how they might respond. Examination of the biological and sociocultural determinants of addictions and mental illness, treatment options, and community resources that can be leveraged to enhance wellbeing are the key components of this course. Students will not only apply theory and diagnostic criteria to a presenting problem, but they will also become responsive to the grey areas that are unique to a person's situation.
FPP-2008: Field Placement II (Three Weeks - 5 days/week)
The purpose of this placement is to provide students the opportunity to apply their recreation therapy knowledge and demonstrate professional skills in practice. By developing therapeutic relationships and applying relevant theory to assessments, and program plans, students will be able to demonstrate a range of recreation therapy interventions which promote the health and wellness of the individuals they are working with.
TRE-2003: Leisure Education and Counselling in Therapeutic Recreation
This course will explore the role of leisure education in assisting individuals and groups in leading a fulfilling leisure lifestyle. This course will also introduce students to counselling tools, techniques and strategies common to leisure education. Students will gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of lifespan development while studying barriers that impact leisure participation. Students will be given the opportunity to apply this theory by developing leisure awareness activities and interventions for individuals and groups in a variety of settings with a focus on therapeutic recreation.
TRE-2013: Therapeutic Recreation Assessment
This course focuses on the role of assessment in the design, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic recreation services for diverse populations. Students will have the opportunity to examine, evaluate and apply a variety of therapeutic recreation assessment tools and techniques. This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to write therapeutic goals and objectives and to develop individual and group programming based on research. This course will also provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate empathic interpersonal communication skills and to recognize professional and ethical considerations associated with the administration and documentation of assessments.
TRE-2033: Therapeutic Recreation Leadership
This course will provide the student with an in-depth introduction to recreation leadership theory and techniques. Students will examine the diverse leadership roles and responsibilities of therapeutic recreation professionals as group leaders, supervisors and administrators. This course will also emphasize the understanding of group dynamics, motivation, and managing conflict. This highly interactive course will enable students to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to be effective leaders in diverse settings.
TRE-2043: Research in Therapeutic Recreation
This course will introduce the student to the research process with a focus on types of research, data collection, and analysis. Needs and issues surrounding research in the field of therapeutic recreation will be explored and consideration will be given to the reasoning underlying the research process. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of a self-reflective practice and the importance of conducting basic research in their professional careers.
TRE-2113: Current Concepts in Health and Wellness
This course deals with health promotion strategies needed to make healthy, rational, lifestyle choices, to maintain or improve health and how to approach personal change. Students require an understanding of the bio - psycho -social processes to keep well and knowledge of the interventions that will encourage wellness, promote activity, energy and life, even empowerment. Students will also explore the philosophy of holistic health.
FPP-3008: Field Placement III (Three Weeks - 5 days/week)
This field placement is designed to consolidate all of the academic learning presented during the course of the program. Students will demonstrate competence in all of the Standards of Practice associated with the field of recreation therapy. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and philosophy with professional practice. During placement, students will demonstrate knowledge of the therapeutic recreation process. This will include performing an activity analysis and adaptation as required. Students will establish effective working relationships with other disciplines as they work within agencies which offer recreation therapy services.
*Students with an undergraduate degree who wish to be eligible to pursue a Registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario - Diploma designation upon graduation, must complete additional placement practice hours to accumulate required field placement hours. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.
Program Maps
Current Students
Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.
You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.
Employment Opportunities
Employment may be found in the areas of pediatrics, mental health, hospitals, community settings, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation and corrections.