Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a consultant, officer or researcher related to sport, recreation or fitness in B.C., you may choose to register as a member with the British Columbian Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Contact the association to initiate the membership process. 

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness

This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the principles underlying recreational and leisure activities, and the practices involved in providing indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and services for the general public.

Parks, recreation, and leisure studies

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. These programs include courses in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.

Parks, recreation, and leisure facilities management, general

This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Sports, kinesiology, and physical education/physical fitness.

Sports, kinesiology, and physical education/physical fitness, other

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to plan, organize, and direct recreational activities designed to promote health and well-being for patients who are physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled. These programs include courses in the foundations of therapeutic recreation, leisure education and counselling, program planning, therapeutic recreational modalities, basic anatomy and physiology, psychology, medical terminology, human growth and development, patient observation and evaluation, special needs populations, and professional standards and ethics.

Therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a recreational therapist in B.C., you may choose to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing an accredited bachelor degree or higher with a concentration in recreational therapy, completion of a minimum 14 week internship, and passing the NCTRC exam. 

Recreational therapists

To work as a recreation, sports, or fitness program and service director, you may choose to become a member of the B.C. Recreation and Parks Association. Membership can be accessed through an employer or individually.

Employment in this career may require several years of related work experience.

Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors

Recreation Bachelor's Degrees

Leisure And Recreation Diplomas

Policy researchers, consultants and program officers in recreation, sports and fitness oversee and administer recreation, sports and fitness programs and activities, provide consulting services, conduct research and develop programs and policies related to recreation, sports and physical fitness. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments, recreation, sports, fitness and health care facilities, retirement homes, community centres, sports and fitness consulting firms and organizations, or they may be self-employed.

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. Fitness appraisers conduct fitness tests and assessments and design, develop and deliver fitness programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes, correctional institutions, government departments, private businesses, tourism associations and similar establishments.

The Outdoor Recreation Management Diploma focuses on growing your expertise with training in several vital areas, including tourism, wilderness travel, guiding, business management, marketing and leadership. Through classroom study, relevant field trips, and work experience, you'll develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to contribute to the exciting and challenging outdoor recreation industry. You'll take courses in financial planning, experiential education, entrepreneurship, outdoor guiding, risk management and more. This training will prepare you for future careers in adventure tourism, community and outdoor recreation, parks and conservation, or experiential and outdoor education. You'll also participate in a co-op work experience placement before completing your diploma.

Outdoor Recreation Management Diploma

The Recreation Management Diploma covers a broad range of courses directly related to the recreation industry, as well as management-oriented courses such as: accounting, communications, business management, programming, and marketing. Fondational courses are augmented with industry specific coursess and a work placement provides opportunity to gain hands-on-experience in recreation. It is recommended that domestic students take the co-op work term, while our international students complete the work practicum.

Recreation Management Diploma

The Sport Science Diploma gives you an understanding of exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, motor learning, sport psychology and more. This interdisciplinary program provides flexibility in career direction, with options to specialize in kinesiology or health and recreation. You'll also have the option to participate in a Co-op program. The program will help prepare you for a career in coaching, teaching, health and fitness, leisure and sport administration, or exercise science.  

Sport Science Diploma

The Therapeutic Recreation Diploma prepares you to plan, implement and evaluate a wide range of programs for people with barriers to participation in leisure activities. Such programs could include individual or group fitness, cognitive activities, creative arts, gardening, cooking, adapted sports, nature and outdoor activities.  You will have the opportunity to apply classroom theory in real-life situations through two semesters of practicum work in healthcare or social service settings. As a diploma graduate, you can find work as a recreation assistant, recreation therapy assistant, program planner, recreation leader and activity worker in a variety of settings including hospitals, mental health centres, long-term care homes, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, youth centres, day programs and community recreation centres.

Therapeutic Recreation Diploma

The Leisure Studies Diploma is intended primarily for those seeking to complete two years of university-transfer course work towards a degree in Recreation, Leisure, and Sport Studies. [View program information](https://langara.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/leisure-studies/program-curriculum.html)


Leisure Studies Diploma

The Recreation Leadership Diploma focuses on how to lead, instruct, facilitate, motivate, and supervise within the recreation field. You will also learn how to design, implement, and market quality programs, services and special events for diverse participants. There is also the opportunity to partake in an internship placement. The skill sets you develop will be able to be applied in a recreation, health promotion, community service, tourism, and/or volunteer setting. [View program information](https://langara.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/recreation-leadership/program-curriculum.html)

Recreation Leadership Diploma

The Recreation and Sport Management Diploma focuses on the provision of recreation and sport services and products in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors within communities. The program assesses the impact of recreation and sport and the environment in order to plan and develop healthy communities. Features of the program include a co-operative education opportunity.

Educational Path

Leisure And Recreation Diplomas

Programs

Careers