Build your assessment skills and develop the ability to plan therapeutic programs for people with an illness or disabling condition. With a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation-Gerontology (TRG), you promote the use of recreation and leisure as treatment modalities to support purposeful and meaningful interventions. This two-year program combines foundational knowledge with hands-on practice to provide you with the fundamentals of therapeutic recreation with a specialization in gerontology. 

The TRG program teaches you how to use leisure and recreation to facilitate optimal health and wellness for individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions. Through theory classes, skills labs and practice in the field, you will learn to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and deliver therapeutic recreation services including functional intervention, leisure education and recreation participation. 

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Career Opportunities

Your diploma in Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology will prepare you to work in many settings, including:

  • Community-based programs
  • Group homes
  • Hospitals
  • Lodges
  • Long term care
  • Mental health programs
  • Rehabilitation programs
  • Seniors day programs
  • Senior centers
  • Supportive living

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

Student Feature: Tannis Chartier

1 of the few

therapeutic recreation programs in Canada that specializes in gerontology

2 work-integrated

learning experience opportunities to put theory into practice and gain skills for immediate employment

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September

Credential / Accreditation

Diploma

Duration

2 years

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Fall 2024
Open
Open
Open
On Campus
Fall 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Online

Admissions

This program is available for International Students.

New applicants for both the campus based and on-line learning cohorts are admitted into the Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program in the Fall (September) term. 

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

  • 60 percent minimum in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 70 percent in ELA 30-2
  • Grade 12 Biology

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology Program

In addition to the academic requirements, if English is not your first language, English Language Proficiency (ELP) must be demonstrated within the last two (2) years prior to the application. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic with a minimum band score of 6.5 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, 6.0 in reading, and 6.5 in writing
  • TOEFL Internet-based test score with a minimum score of 22 in speaking, 23 in listening, 21 in reading, and 25 in writing
  • Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction
  • Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the principal language of instruction

Note: Meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic admission requirement for entry to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma.

Transfers

Athabasca University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma program are eligible to receive 60 credits towards Athabasca University's 120-credit Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services program or 30 credits towards a number of Athabasca University's post-diploma bachelor's degrees in Human Resources/Labour Relations, Management, and Commerce. To explore options, please visit https://www.athabascau.ca/

Griffith University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma program are eligible to receive transfer credit towards the completion of a Bachelor of Human Services at Griffith University, in Australia. For more information, please visit https://www.griffith.edu.au/credit

Thompson Rivers University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma program are eligible to receive up to 57 transfer credits towards Thompson Rivers University's Bachelor of Health Science or up to 60 transfer credits towards Thompson Rivers University's Bachelor of General Studies.

University of Calgary

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma program are eligible to receive 60 credits towards the University of Calgary's 120-credit Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation program.

University of Lethbridge

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma program with a minimum 2.00 GPA are eligible to apply to the University of Lethbridge’s Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation program. Enrollment in the degree program is limited and a higher GPA may be required to meet competitive admission requirements. Once admitted, students will be third-year degree level students at the University of Lethbridge in its Faculty of Health Sciences in all respects. For more information, please see an academic advisor and visit www.uleth.ca
 
 
 
Practicums
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student.  Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage.  In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta).  These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals.   WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

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Delivery Formats

The Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology program is available through the following delivery methods.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Online

This program is fully delivered online with both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) components.

Courses

View all courses
CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
Term I
BIO-1152Physiology of Aging3
COM-1162Interpersonal Relationships and Communications3
ENG-1150Composition3
PSY-1177Psychology of Aging3
TRG-1150Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation3
TRG-1164Leadership Theory3
 Credits18
Term II
COM-1170Helping Relationships3
PSY-1170Human Development Across the Lifespan3
SOC-1167Sociology of Aging3
TRG-1160Therapeutic Recreation Program Planning I3
TRG-1199Practicum I3
TRG-2263Aging Disorders and Disabilities3
 Credits18
Year 2
Term I
TRG-2253Therapeutic Recreation Assessment3
TRG-2256Therapeutic Recreation Intervention3
TRG-2260Therapeutic Recreation Program Planning II3
TRG-2268Therapeutic Recreation Programs6
 Credits15
Term II
PSY-2260Abnormal Psychology3
TRG-2259Therapeutic Recreation Issues and Trends3
TRG-2264Community Resources3
TRG-2270Administrative Practices Therapeutic Recreation3
TRG-2299Advanced Practicum II6
 Credits18
 Total Credits69

Please refer to the online Academic Timetable for course availability.

Important Note(s):

Online Learning students are responsible for any fees for service by an off-site exam proctor.

All "TRG" specific courses within the Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma MUST be completed within 6 years of the first TRG course taken.  However, the support courses (i.e. SOC, PSY) have a 10 year completion date.

Students must complete the two practicums on a full-time basis. Due to the limited availability of practicum sites, students may be required to relocate from their home community to complete the practicum placements.

Online learning students must consult with the program chair or the practicum coordinator prior to registering for their practicums. Online Learning students wanting to enroll in either TRG-1199 Practicum I (3 credits) or TRG-2299 Advanced Practicum II (6 credits) must register prior to September 1st for the winter term placement and January 1st for a spring/summer term placement.

It is not recommended that Online Learning students register in more than 2 theory courses and practicum concurrently. Contact the TRG program chair to develop a plan.

Online Learning students who reside outside of Alberta must be aware they may not be covered under Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) insurance coverage when participating in practicums outside of Alberta.

View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$4,554.00
$1,386.00
$1,700.00
Year 2
$4,092.00
$1,299.00
$1,000.00
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$16,074.00
$1,386.00
$1,700.00
Year 2
$15,061.00
$1,299.00
$1,000.00
Notes

Any fees for service by an off-site test proctor are the responsibility of the student.

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

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Scholarships

With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships:

TRG.DIP