Recreation, Leadership, and Health

Be a leader in shaping healthy communities

We know recreation is key to happy, healthy, and connected communities. It takes strong, people-minded leaders to build new opportunities for recreation and make positive change in the world.

You’ll learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate recreation programs and initiatives to build healthy populations. Throughout your degree, you’ll strengthen your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, and learn to apply a social justice lens to your work to become an inclusive and innovative leader.

With 12 electives, you can easily customize your degree to make it your own. Explore a wide range of minors including Social Development Studies; Gerontology; Addictions, Mental Health, and Policy; Tourism; and Human Resources Management. Plus, with co-op and lots of opportunities to get out of the classroom and into the real world, you’ll graduate ready to jump in at any level and make a difference.

View on YouTube

What courses will you take in Recreation, Leadership, and Health?

First-year courses

You'll take Recreation courses ranging from outdoor recreation to leadership theory and action for community change. Your other classes will span topics including sustainability, Indigeneity, and conflict resolution.

September to December

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

January to April

REC 215 – Marketing Recreation, Sport, and Events
REC 280 – Introduction to Tourism
REC 318 – Leadership Theory and Practice in Recreation, Sport, and Leisure Organizations
Three electives

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

After first year

After first year, you'll take Recreation courses ranging from outdoor recreation to leadership theory to action for community change. Your other classes will span topics including sustainability, Indigeneity, and conflict resolution.

Learn about courses you'll take for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

REC 201 – Introduction to Leisure, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Just Communities
REC 230 – Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and the Natural Environment
REC 420 – Advanced Program Evaluation in Leisure Services
REC 405 – Leisure and Well-being

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of interest and expertise by including one or more of the areas of focus within the program.

Event Management
Tourism

You can also pursue a double degree, joint honours degree, or one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for recreation students include Psychology, Social Development Studies, and Gerontology.

Faculty:
Faculty of Health

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Leadership, and Health

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
No

First department of recreation in Canada. We've been leaders since day one and are dedicated to ensuring you gain the most relevant, up-to-date knowledge. Plus, after 50+ years, our graduates' success has built our reputation for educating the health care leaders of tomorrow.

Get hands-on experience in class. Benefit from classes that include field trips, industry guest speakers, community projects, and real-life case studies.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!

Sample co-op job titles

Community recreation facilitator
Recreation therapy intern
Summer camp counsellor

Marketing events outreach assistant
Outdoor education assistant
Guest services coordinator

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Co-op	Study
Fifth	Co-op	Study	-

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in recreation?

Graduates often pursue careers in areas such as event management, program coordination, education, not-for-profit administration, facilities management, and community development.

Recent graduates

Youth Worker — Pioneer Youth Services
Recreation Coordinator — Town of Halton Hills
Coordinator, Recreation and Student Life — Wilfrid Laurier University
Facility Program Supervisor — City of London
Teacher — Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Manager Registration and Travel — Tim Horton Children’s Foundation
Recreation Director — Mid-Sun Community Centre

Learn about Jonathan's unique career path following his graduation from Recreation and Leisure Studies or discover the future of careers in health and helping professions.

Read profiles and view videos about the path Recreation graduates took to pursue their career.

Further education

While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, these are common areas where graduates pursued a master's, PhD, or other professional program.

Business administration (MBA)
Education (teacher's college)
Project management

Tourism
Law
Social work

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Health

First-year tuition

Type of fees	Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents)	$9,000
Domestic (Out of province students)	$9,000
International (visa students)	$50,000

Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Common questions about the program

Why do I apply for Recreation and Leisure Studies to study Recreation, Leadership, and Health?

Recreation and Leisure Studies is the entry program - or gateway - to three distinct majors: Recreation, Leadership, and Health; Sport and Recreation Management; and Therapeutic Recreation. You'll apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and pick Recreation, Leadership, and Health as your major on your application. Once you confirm your Offer of Admission, we'll enroll you in Recreation, Leadership, and Health.

Though each of the majors has a different focus, specialized courses, and unique identity, you'll be a part of the greater Recreation and Leisure Studies community and get to know students outside your major too!

What’s the difference between Recreation, Leadership, and Health and similar programs at other universities and colleges?

Waterloo was the first university in Canada to have a Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and we continue to have a strong reputation among employers.

In 2024, we renamed the Recreation and Leisure Studies major to Recreation, Leadership, and Health and updated our curriculum to keep it current, relevant, and give you an edge in the workplace. You’ll learn about the recreation industry, tourism, events, and management, and put that knowledge through the lens of sustainability, Indigeneity, and social justice. Pair this curriculum with experiential learning opportunities like co-op and our EDGE certificate program and you'll have a distinct advantage when pursuing your career or further education.

What’s the difference between a college diploma and a university degree in recreation?

Entry-level careers might be similar for diploma and degree holders, but many diploma holders eventually pursue a degree in order to expand their career options. While a degree usually takes longer to complete, it usually covers more theoretical knowledge that can help you create and adapt to major changes in the industry. Having an undergraduate degree also means that you can more easily pursue further education such as a Master’s degree that can expand career options even further.

How long does it take to complete this program?

It takes four years to complete this program as a full-time student through the regular system of study in which you’ll take courses between September and April each year and have your summers off.
You can also choose the co-op system of study where you’ll alternate between full-time studies and full-time jobs related to your program. A co-op program takes five years to complete — and you’ll graduate with nearly two years of paid work experience.
It could also be completed over a longer period as a part-time program.

Is this program available online?

No. While you may be able to take some courses online, most courses required for the degree are available through in-person classes only.

"I came into university unsure of what I wanted to do. I also wasn’t very good at job interviews. Co-op let me explore my passions and practice my interview skills. Through co-op, I’ve also learned that you need to love what you do to be happy." Justine, second-year Recreation, Leadership, and Health student

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply?

Related programs

Honours Arts

Sport and Recreation Management

Therapeutic Recreation

Topics include how to choose a program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, the differences between high school and university, and more.

Connect with a current student ambassador to learn about their experience in the program.

Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.

Connect with us

Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Vivienne Hang, our Faculty of Health recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.

You can also learn more about Recreation, Leadership, and Health by viewing our digital program brochure.

Recreation, Leadership, and Health degree