Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services
Fanshawe College
Key Information
Campus location
London, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 7,007 **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* equal consideration deadline. After that, we consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full
** total fee for Canadian students. $31,078.28 for international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Recreation and Leisure Services is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program designed to develop leadership skills to support the achievement of recreation and leisure outcomes for a broad spectrum of different communities. Students will learn the human relations skills required to successfully plan, organize and facilitate a diverse range of experiences in varied recreation settings.
Your Learning Experience
In the Recreation and Leisure Services program, you'll have the opportunity to take your love of people and activity to limitless career heights. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to plan, implement and evaluate quality recreation experiences across all ages and abilities.
Over two years, you will study the psychology of becoming an effective leader and working with teams, special event planning, outdoor recreation, and experiential education, as well as inclusive programming through therapeutic recreation. Additionally, you’ll learn how parks and recreational facilities are operated.
You will also have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom through exciting field practicums in various organizations including the YMCA, The City of London, St. Joseph Health Care, McCormick Care, The Western Fair District, The London Knights Hockey Club and London Children’s Museum and more!
The Recreation and Leisure Services program is committed to developing the leadership skills of each of its students to support the achievement of recreation and leisure outcomes for individuals, groups, and communities. Through concentrated academic and fieldwork over the two years, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies to promote community development and involvement and to plan and implement special events and programs in a variety of recreation fields. This is practiced in settings that emphasize planning, implementation, and evaluation that can respond to the multi-dimensional needs of all members of the community.
The students will be able to develop benefits-based programming that addresses recreation as an essential service; one that can effectively respond to a variety of individual or community needs.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Courses
Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- WRIT-1094 ---- Reason and Writing 1 for Community Studies
- COMP-1546 ---- Computer Applications in Recreation
- RECN-1058 ---- Recreation Industry-Intro
- RECN-1035 ---- Field Orientation 1
- RECN-1059 ---- Org and Admin of Quality Physical Rec
- PSYC-1014 ---- Psychology-Recreation and Leisure Services
- RECN-1002 ---- Becoming an Effective Leader
Level 2
General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- RECN-1004 ---- Program Planning
- COMM-3082 ---- Communications for Community Studies
- RECN-1008 ---- Creating Effective Teams
- RECN-1037 ---- Field Orientation 2
- RECN-1039 ---- Orientation to Therapeutic Recreation
- MGMT-1232 ---- Business Management in Recreation-Intro
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- PLAN-3011 ---- Special Event Mgmt and Board Governance
- FLDP-3002 ---- Field Practicum 1
- FINA-3049 ---- Business Finance in Recreation
- RECN-3024 ---- Outdoor Rec and Experiential Education
- RECN-3015 ---- Therapeutic and Inclusive Rec Practices
- RECN-3022 ---- Community Rec, Benefits, and Outcomes
Level 4
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- RECN-3023 ---- Ethics and Professional Issues in Rec
- RECN-3010 ---- Field Practicum 2
- RSCH-1006 ---- Research in Recreation
- RECN-3012 ---- Career Planning in Leisure Services
- RECN-3014 ---- Parks and Recreation Facility Operations
General Education - Elective
Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 2
Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 20 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate inclusive recreation, leisure, and wellness programs and events for individuals, groups, and communities which respond to assessed needs, interests, and abilities and that use available resources and incorporate best practices;
- Apply administrative and customer service skills to support the delivery of recreation, leisure, and wellness programs, events, and services;
- Analyze, develop, and implement marketing strategies to reach diverse individuals, groups, and communities for programs, events, services, and facilities using current communication technologies;
- Contribute to the development of fiscally sustainable and responsible recreation, leisure, and wellness programs, events, and services using current and relevant principles and practices of business, finance, and social entrepreneurship;
- Supervise, lead, and support the development of staff and volunteers involved with recreation, leisure, and wellness programs, events, and services;
- Apply safety and accessibility practices to the efficient operation and administration of recreation and leisure facilities and settings;
- Promote the benefits and values of recreation, leisure, and healthy active living and recommend inclusive programs, events, and services to individuals and groups;
- Apply community development strategies that engage citizens and community partners while advocating for healthy communities;
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development as a recreation and leisure services professional.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Recreation and Leisure Services program can pursue a career in administration and/or programming in a wide variety of settings such as retirement facilities, non-profit organizations (e.g., YMCA-YWCA, Boys & Girls Club), hospitals, municipalities, aquatic centers, private agencies (e.g., resorts), treatment centers and special event organizations.
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Recreation and Leisure Services program:
Director of Parks and Recreation
Be passionate about providing the highest quality of service to residents.
Youth Program Coordinator
Create, plan, implement, and evaluate sports programs, leagues, and camps.
Manager of Arena Operations
Assist with the day-to-day and seasonal operation and maintenance of arenas, community centers, libraries, outdoor pools, campgrounds, trails, sports fields, and playgrounds.
Volunteer and Marketing Coordinator
Recruiting, supporting, and enabling quality services for not-for-profit agencies.
Therapeutic Recreation Aide
Providing Therapeutic Recreation programs and activities for people dealing with various physical and mental health challenges.
Coordinator, Fund Development
Advocacy, running events to enhance quality services for an organization.
Sports Administration Officer
Working in a Community College Intramural, Varsity, and Student Wellness Centre.
Visitor Centre Services & Park Interpreter
Providing camper education and services in Ontario's Provincial Park system.
Events Coordinator
Designing and organizing various Special Events for organizations in the Private and Not for Profit sectors.
Supervisor of Recreational Services, Neighbourhood Operations
Providing Municipal Recreation services within the Public Sector.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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