A Therapeutic Recreation student assisting an elderly man with a painting exercise in a care facility

Restore health and well-being with a career as a recreational therapist

Therapeutic Recreation Ontario College Graduate Certificate program

Use your skills to help improve/restore health and wellness. Small class settings, knowledgeable, friendly faculty and hands-on learning.

Program code TREC
Duration 1 Year
Credential Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Program Delivery Full-time +
Part-time
Program delivery method(s) In person What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

Recreation Therapy is a dynamic and unique health care profession that allows clinicians to practice with flexibility, and creativity. You learn to provide client centered, strength-based services using the recreation therapy process that emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. You acquire the skills to complete client assessments and to plan, implement, evaluate and document group and individual recreation therapy programs. Through a number of experiential learning opportunities, you develop leadership and programming skills. A variety of techniques are explored in order to assist individuals to participate in meaningful recreation and leisure experiences to achieve health related goals, improve functional ability, and increase quality of life. 

Graduates of this program are eligible to become registered members of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO). Membership type will depend on the postsecondary credentials they hold:

  • R/TRO for graduates with degrees
  • R/TRO DIP for graduates with diplomas

Graduates may also apply to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) using one of two specific pathways (equivalency path A or B).

Intake information

Start dateCampus
Fall 2025 Orillia

Tuition and fees

Work-integrated learning

  • This program includes an internship component. During your final semester, you’ll take part in a supervised, structured work opportunity and apply your academic knowledge in a setting directly related to your program.
  • Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

What are the admission requirements for the Therapeutic Recreation program?

Therapeutic Recreation admission requirements

  • Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree, or equivalent, with a specialty in health or human services.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.

What career paths can I take as a recreational therapist?

Your Therapeutic Recreation graduate certificate gives you many career opportunities

Graduates of the program may find employment in health or human service
organizations such as:

  • Acute, chronic care, and other specialized hospitals
  • Provincial agencies or facilities for individuals with mental health or developmental disabilities
  • Rehabilitation programs
  • Children’s treatment centers
  • Municipal recreation departments
  • Long term care facilities/adult day programs
  • Correctional programs and facilities
  • Community or private agencies
  • Private practice

Flex MORE. Study Therapeutic Recreation part-time

Benefits of studying part-time:

  • Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go!
  • MORE choices. We are always adding more flexible delivery programs and courses.

What courses are included in the Therapeutic Recreation graduate certificate program?

Course overview

12 Program Courses
1 Internship

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Therapeutic Recreation program outline.

  • TREC 1002 – Assessment Processes of Recreation Therapy
  • TREC 1003 – Foundations of Recreation Therapy
  • TREC 1004 – Adapted Recreation for Recreation Therapy
  • TREC 1005 – Recreation Therapy with Selected Populations
  • TREC 1012 – Therapeutic Relationships in Recreation Therapy
  • TREC 1014 – Biological Sciences in Recreation Therapy

Your course delivery method(s)

In person

This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.

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Study physiological and functional speech/language and hearing disorders. Learn techniques to help others communicate. On-site clinic for hands-on learning.

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Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

Become a dual-trained clinician. Placements in a variety of settings will prepare you for a rewarding career in health care.

Do you have questions about Therapeutic Recreation? Contact us!

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