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Algonquin College

Ottawa , southern Ontario ,Canada

Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, delivered in a 42-week consecutive format, prepares you for a career in the field of recreation therapy. Recreation Therapists work with individuals facing key health issues and cognitive, physical and/or mental health challenges across the lifespan from children, youth, adults to seniors. In this program, you develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to use the tools of recreation and leisure to ensure people of all ages and abilities have a healthy social, physical, emotional and cognitive lifestyle.

Develop advanced knowledge of how to complete client assessments, create individualized and group programs and document client outcomes. Apply a variety of facilitative techniques to promote meaningful recreation and leisure participation, improve functional ability, and enhance the quality of life and wellness. Through collaboration, teamwork, research, and professional involvement, you learn to adapt, implement and evaluate recreation activities to meet the needs of people in a wide range of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, municipal community programs, and mental health agencies. Through a combination of theory and industry-based work terms, you gain theoretical and practical knowledge and experience.

As a current institutional member of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO), students enrolled in the Therapeutic Recreation program receive a Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Student membership for the duration of the program. Graduates may apply to become registered members of TRO and/or other professional associations. As well, Algonquin College is working closely with TRO in seeking recognition of this program, thus allowing graduates to apply to become a Registered Therapeutic Recreation Ontario member.

Campus Information

Ottawa

A college campus should be designed around student needs. It should include the facilities — from public busing to affordable, healthy food services — that make student life efficient, worry-free, and productive. Students have varied interests and needs. That’s why the Ottawa campus of Algonquin accommodates a diverse range of requirements. A college campus should be setup to encourage discussion, with students enriching each other’s experience, providing friendship, support and offering a special way to learn.

Intakes

  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 45

Application Process

Loa
30 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Graduates may find employment as recreational therapists, recreation/restorative aides, recreationalists, activation therapists, recreation program coordinators, recreation facilitators, recreation programmers, recreation assistants, therapeutic recreation coordinators and community program facilitators.

PSW Opportunity

  • 3* year PSW opportunity Minimum 2 years of Study in Canada

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Program Eligibility

  • Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent credential in a health-related or human services field.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.

International Applicants:

International applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements are required to complete preparatory courses (4-months in duration): Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS). Students who successfully complete the introduction will then proceed to their original health program of choice. The ICHS requires applicants to submit an academic IELTS score.

Standard First Aid - you must have a valid Standard First Aid certificate which is valid for a three (3) year period and CPR-Level C in order to attend any clinical practice which must remain current until the end of placement. Please note that on-line CPR courses do not meet the re-certification standards required for your program. Some agencies offer Standard First Aid and CPR as a package. For the purposes of this program, CPR credits must be valid until the end of placement and earned as a distinct credit from First Aid courses. CPR earned with a Standard First Aid course will not be accepted.

Accepted applicants must submit a Health Assessment form and provide an Immunization Certificate prior to entry to the program. Applicants must have complete immunization including Hepatitis B, and T.B. test (a Chest X-ray is required if the T.B. test is a possibility) and are required to have annual immunization for influenza by some clinical affiliates.

Successful completion of clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from this program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.

It is the responsibility of the accepted applicant to obtain the PRCSVS from their local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by the Program Department and to pay any associated costs. Obtaining this documentation may be a lengthy process so it is advised to submit a PRCSVS application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Chair.

Bangladesh

Bachelor’s degree placed in the First or Second Division/Class and university transcripts.

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •  A minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based with no single test score below 21)
  •  Or an IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)
  •  Or CAEL with an overall band score of 70

India

Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 55% or higher and university transcripts, with 6 or fewer retakes for a 3-year bachelor, and 8 or fewer retakes for a 4+ year bachelor. There can be no more than 3 retakes for any one subject.

Diploma or Provisional Certificate for proof of graduation

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  • Academic IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)

Nepal

Degree or college diploma and transcripts (depending on the program of interest)

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •  A minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based with no single test score below 21)
  •  Or an IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)
  •  Or CAEL with an overall band score of 70.

Sri Lanka

Bachelor’s degree and university transcripts.

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •  A minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based with no single test score below 21)
  •  Or an IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)
  •  Or CAEL with an overall band score of 70