Program Description

Recreation therapy aides support the efforts of recreation therapists in enhancing the quality of life for clients. You will work to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of clients in a variety of settings, including hospitals and assisted living homes, by implementing activities such as games, music, dance, and crafts.

This certificate is designed for those with work experience or education in health or human services looking to increase their employment opportunities. 

This five-month full-time program starts with four months of online study which includes self-directed study and scheduled weekly evening classes along with two longer Saturday sessions. In the fifth month, you will complete four weeks of practicum (approximately 37.5 hours per week for a total of 150 hours) at a placement location arranged by Bow Valley College.

Practicum placement

Depending on availability, students may be able to complete their practicum placement in their own town. However, you may be required to travel to other locations in order to complete your practicum placement. Every effort is made to accommodate learners in practicum placements within the time frame of the program. In rare instances, there may be a delay in program completion until a practicum placement can be arranged.

Work Integrated Learning

You will be required to travel to various locations to complete your work integrated learning placements. It is each learner’s responsibility to arrange travel to their clinical and/or practicum sites; placements may be outside the City of Calgary as well as in any area of Calgary. Every effort is made to schedule learners for Work Integrated Learning placements within the time frame of the program. In rare instances there may be a delay in program completion until a Work Integrated Learning placement can be arranged.

Work Integrated Learning placements may include day shifts, evening shifts, night shifts, and/or weekend shifts. Shifts are determined by the placement sites and not the College.

Tuition and financial aid

Refer to the Program Tuition Fee Chart for an estimate of the cost of completing a Bow Valley College career program. When creating a budget, consider the costs of tuition, student fees, textbooks, learning materials, and police information check fees. Attend a Financial Aid Information Session for advice on financing a Bow Valley College education.

Admission Requirements

Academic requirements

• Credit in either English 10-1 or 10-2 or equivalent
  Or
• Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing.
  Or
• Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test

And

• Previous education and/or work experience in health or human services or successful completion of HMSV9102 Personal Support Skills for Caregivers

English language proficiency requirements

• See English Language Proficiency Requirements for details

Pre-practicum requirement

• A current Police Information Check (PIC), with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS), must be submitted prior to practicum placement. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent practicum placement and, subsequently, successful completion of the program.
• Immunization requirements must be met prior to participating in practicum placements. Up-to-date immunizations are valid for the duration of the program.
• Details will be provided at the start of the program. 

Additional recommendation

• Basic Life Support CPR (FACP9101) is recommended and often required by employers