Courses for your Therapeutic Recreation degree

First-year courses

September to December

REC 100 – Introduction to the Study of Recreation and Leisure
REC 101 – Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services
REC 120 – Experience Design and Delivery
- Learn about the overnight REC 120 retreat
PSYCH 101 – Introductory Psychology
HEALTH 107 – Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being

January to April

REC 151 – Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Practice
HEALTH 150 – Foundations of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Three electives

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

About half of the classes you’ll take will be Recreation and Leisure Studies courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

You'll take REC 450, a mandatory 560-hour internship, where you get to practice what you're learning in the real world.

View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

REC 251 – Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental and Emotional Disabilities
REC 252 – Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities
REC 253 – Practicum in Therapeutic Recreation
REC 405 – Leisure and Well-being

Advisors are here to help

Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have access to academic advisors who can help you

choose your courses,
select minors and specializations,
ensure that you're meeting the requirements for your degree, and more.

With so much flexibility, you might have a lot of questions. We're here to help! If you're applying for admission, contact our Faculty of Health recruitment co-ordinator.