Education · 1 of 4

The path

Two routes: a college diploma for care-home jobs, or a degree for hospitals and certification.

1. 1

   High school

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 English, plus anything active or creative: physical education, art, music, drama. Volunteer at a care home or with an adaptive sports program.

2. 2

   Diploma or degree

   2 to 4 years

   A 2-year therapeutic recreation diploma at colleges such as Mohawk, Georgian, Douglas or Red River, or a 4-year degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation and leisure studies at a university such as Waterloo, Brock, Dalhousie or Alberta.

3. 3

   Placements

   Built into the program

   Unpaid placements in care homes, hospitals or community programs. Degree students do a long final internship.

4. 4

   Professional membership

   After graduation

   Join your provincial body, such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, and apply for its designation. Most Alberta employers require membership in the Alberta association.

5. 5

   Optional certification

   After a degree

   The CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) credential from NCTRC (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification), a US body, needs a degree, set coursework, a 560-hour internship and an exam.