Recreation Therapy Aide

Do you have work experience or education in health or human services? Are you interested in a five-month program? Enhance the well-being, health, and vitality of clients through leisure and recreation with the Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate.

Credential:

Certificate

Program length

2 Terms

Area:

Health & Wellness

School:

School of Health and Wellness

Post-Graduation Work Permit:

Yes

No

About

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 student'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 students 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.

Admission 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

and

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

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

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English Language Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

Academic upgrading

Enhance your previous education to meet the missing admissions requirements for one of the BVC programs.

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Available intakes

Starts in
Domestic
International

September 2, 2025

January 7, 2026

Tuition and fees

Term
Tuitions fees
Additional fees*
Total  fees*
Term 1
$1,770
$356
$1,960
Term
Additional fees*
Tuitions fees
Total fees
Term 1
$356
$4,698
$4,888
*Per term: Student Service Fee
To register in a course in Open Studies:

Courses

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Zero Textbook Cost

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Course is eligible for PLAR
CodeCourseCreditPDF
COMM1101Interpersonal Relationships And Communication Skills

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3

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RTAD1106Introduction to the Recreation Therapy Aide

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3

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RTAD1107The Lifecycle and Chronic Conditions

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3

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RTAD1203Therapeutic Recreation Planning and Interventions

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3

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CodeCourseCreditPDF
RTAD1999Recreation Therapy Aide Practicum 3

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I am ready to apply

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International Students

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