Therapeutic Recreation (BA)
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Offered by:Department of Applied Human Sciences, Faculty of Arts & Science
Why study Therapeutic Recreation?
When you study Therapeutic Recreation, your passion for people shapes you into an agent for change. As a therapeutic recreation specialist, you assess individual leisure needs in order to design specialized programs for individuals with physical, social, intellectual, or emotional disabilities. You may work alongside a team of occupational and physical therapists and social workers to maintain or improve a client’s quality of life and enhance his or her independence.
The curriculum bridges the classroom and the outside community, giving you real-life experiences that hone your leadership and teamwork skills. You’ll also:
- Understand individual and societal influences on leisure behaviour in the practice of therapeutic recreation and administration
- Learn to assess individual and community needs in order to develop, coordinate and implement special events and programs for diverse populations
- Engage in fieldwork with community organizations to evaluate the success of therapeutic recreation programs
Concordia’s hands-on approach provides a solid foundation for future graduate studies in such fields as recreation and leisure studies, organization or community development or public or business administration. Students graduate with practical skills that let them flourish in the health-care services sector.
Program Details
A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program options:
- Specialization in Therapeutic Recreation (60 credits)
The program's curriculum is designed for students interested in planning and implementing Recreation and Leisure Services for people with compromised health conditions, disabilities and other disadvantaged social conditions.
See full degree requirements for this option in the Undergraduate Calendar
Cegep Students
- DEC
Additional Requirements
All applicants to the Specialization in Therapeutic Recreation program are required to submit a Letter of Intent with their Concordia University admission application. This is your opportunity as a prospective student to express, in writing, why you wish to enter the Department of Applied Human Sciences. The letter should include:
- A statement of both your long-term and short-term goals.
- Your reasons for choosing Applied Human Sciences.
- Your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate.
- The experiences you have had that led you to apply (including work and volunteer experience).
Special note: CEGEP graduates of Techniques de Loisirs (Dawson College), Special Care Counselling (Vanier College, Lasalle College), Social Services (Dawson College) and Correctional Technology (John Abbott College) may have credits applied to their degrees based on their course of study at CEGEP. Applicants will be informed of any credits awarded in their Offer of Admission.
Minimum Cut-off Averages
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
- Quebec Cegep (CRC): 22.0
- Canadian High Schools: 72%
- U.S. High Schools: B-
- University Transfers (internal/external): B-
- International Bacc. (IB): 27
- Bacc. Français: 12
(excluding diplôme professionnelle)
Make sure you also meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
November 1 Not all programs are available for this term. Please check program availability. |
| Outside Canada (International) | February 1 | September 1 |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
- Therapeutic Recreation and Physical Disabilities
- Leisure Assessment and Counselling
- Interpersonal Communication and Relationships
- Concepts in Therapeutic Recreation Programming
Consult the undergraduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
United States students
A US Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all US regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
