Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation
A two-year diploma is the minimum qualification to work in the field of recreation, particularly therapeutic recreation. Approximately 90 percent of the graduates find employment in the field within six months!
Graduates work in various health, social service and recreation agencies including hospitals, long-term care facilities for older adults, youth assessment centres, rehabilitation settings, group homes, mental health settings, adult day centres, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, municipal recreation centres and agencies working with people with developmental disabilities.
The positions they hold vary; common examples include:
- Recreation Aides/Assistants
- Program Planners
- Recreation Leaders
- Activity Workers
- Activity Programmers
- Recreation Therapist (in some settings)
A Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation will be awarded upon the successful completion of the first four semesters of the program.
The salary range is quite wide and depends on the setting and type of work you choose to do. The low end of the scale would be about $14.50/hour and the high end would be approximately $45,000/year. Health care settings tend to pay more than residential settings and much will depend on whether your setting is unionized and to which union you belong. We say that the average starting salary for diploma graduates is approximately $18/hour to start.
How to apply and register for Douglas College
How to apply to the Therapeutic Recreation program
Transferring to Degrees
At Douglas College
- Students in the Diploma Program may choose to transfer to the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation Degree. At the end of the first year in the Diploma Program students have an opportunity to decide on the course of their second year (continue with diploma path or move into degree path).
- Those entering the Bachelor degree who already have a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Douglas College will receive 60 credits towards their degree.
Outside of Douglas College
- Those with a Therapeutic Recreation diploma will receive a two-year block credit towards the following university degree programs:
a) The University of Calgary Community Rehabilitation Degree through distance education with groups meeting in the Lower Mainland for study and collaboration with other students.
b) The University College of the Fraser Valley