RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES.
DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM FOR PROFESSIONALS
ďƒ€ DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES The Degree Completion for Professionals program is designed for working professionals who are unable to commit to attending courses during the regularly scheduled weekday classes at Brock. Many of our students require a degree to be considered for advancement. Other individuals are exploring options to complete professional credentials.
Duration The program is designed to be completed in a two-year timeline. Students have the option of extending their degree completion timeline but may end up having to enroll in courses at Brock. Degree Obtained The Recreation and Leisure Studies program offers two B.R.L.S degrees: a Pass degree (15 credits) and a 20-credit Honours/Majors degree with concentration (in community, outdoor, or therapeutic recreation). The Professional Degree Completion Program is designed in such a way that its course offerings align with the requirements of both of these degrees. However, students wishing to obtain an Honours/Majors degree with a concentration will need to complete additional courses in their area of concentration. Admission Requirements Students should have completed a diploma in a related field with a cumulative average of 70% or higher. A minimum of 3 years of fulltime work experience (or 6000+ hours of combined paid, non-seasonal employment in the recreation sector) is also required. Program Entry Students can enter the program in any year. The program starts each year in January. The research stream will be offered in even-numbered years (e.g., 2020, 2022, 2024) and the theory stream in odd-numbered years (e.g., 2021, 2023, 2025). For example, if you start the program in 2021, your first year will be in the theory stream and your second year in the research stream.
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PROGRAM FORMAT
January – April Face-to-face classes, one weekend day / month + one online course
May semester
Year 1: Research Stream
Year 2: Theory Stream
Research Stream Part 1 (RECL 2P07, RECL 3Q07) 1.0 credits
Theory Stream Part 1 (RECL 2P11, RECL 3P11) 1.0 credits
Research Stream Part 2 (RECL 3Q17 – blended) .5 credits
Theory Stream Part 2 (RECL theory course – blended) .5 credits
Research Stream Part 3 (RECL 4F07 Research Project) Face-to-face 1.0 credit
Theory Stream Part 3 (RECL 4F11 Major Research Paper) 1.0 credit
Speciality stream course A (face-to-face) .5 credit (open study)
Speciality stream course C (face-to-face) .5 credit(open study)
Specialty stream course B (online), .5 credit (open study)
Specialty stream course D (online), .5 credit (open study)
3.5
3.5
June – August September - December Face-to-face classes, one weekendday / month + one online course
Total credits:
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CLASSROOM AND ONLINE LEARNING The program involves online and blended courses. Online courses are fully online. Blended courses have online and face-to-face components. The blended classes are taught in the winter semester (January – April) and fall semester (September – December). Each blended class has four hours of face-to-face class time per month (Saturday or Sunday, 8am – noon or 1pm – 5pm). We begin each term with a four-hour orientation session scheduled on the day before the first day of class. The first weekend meeting of the semester is held at Brock University campus. The remaining meetings are held at different locations in the GTA (location tbd). Therefore, in each year of the program the class meetings follow this format:
January Saturday + Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held at Brock University campus, St. Catharines) February Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA) March Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA) April Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA) September Saturday + Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held at Brock University campus, St. Catharines) October Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA) November Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA) December Saturday or Sunday, 8am-12pm + 1pm-5pm (classes held in GTA)
Total face-to-face class time per year: 80 hours 4
ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS You may need to complete additional courses to earn your Brock degree. Every student’s degree requirements are different, because they depend on the educational credentials a student brings to the program. Prior to registering, our Academic Advisor will review your credentials and tell you exactly what you need to take to earn your Brock degree. For example, Brock University requires all students to complete at least 1.0 credits of courses in each of the Faculty of Math & Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Humanities. Most students in the Degree Completion for Professionals Program fulfill these requirements through online courses.
Access To Courses At Brock As a Degree Completion for Professionals student, you have been accepted to Brock University. This entitles you the opportunity to take Brock courses in the same way as any Brock student! Many students in the Degree Completion for Professionals Program register for courses offered by other Departments, both online and on campus.
National Council For Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Exam The Degree Completion for Professionals program is designed to prepare students to take the NCTRC exam. Eligibility for the NCTRC Certification Exam is predicated on both education and work experience. Students in the professional pathway have options to complete selected non-recreation and leisure studies courses (i.e., abnormal psychology, anatomy and physiology) in an online format.
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OPEN STUDY OPTIONS The face-to-face courses in the Research Stream and Theory Stream are reserved exclusively for the students in the Degree Completion for Professionals Program. The face-to-face and online courses in the Specialty Streams may be offered to non-degree seeking students. If you are seeking certification through NCTRC and do not need the practicum component (internship) to meet your certification requirement then you may enroll in applicable TR content courses with permission of the department. Visit www.nctrc.org for more information on CTRS certification requirements. TUITION Tuition fees for the program are based on the total number of credits needed. Each half credit course at Brock costs approximately $700.00. A minimum of 5.0 full credits (or 10 half credits) are required to be awarded a Brock degree. Textbooks and travel costs are additional expenses. SPECIALTY AREAS The program incorporates courses in two specialty areas: Therapeutic Recreation and Community Recreation. Below are examples of specialty courses. The specialty courses are considered ‘electives’ for students working toward obtaining the Pass degree and are requirements for students working toward the 20-credit Honours/ Majors degree with concentration. The specialty courses also count toward the Certificate in that specialty area.
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Specialty Courses in Therapeutic Recreation
Specialty Courses in Community Recreation
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TR assessment
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Community development
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TR program planning
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Financing community recreation
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TR facilitation
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Community planning
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TR and behavioural health
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Strategic management
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TR and physical health
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Professional issues
TESTIMONIALS
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Returning to school full-time while juggling a fulltime job and family was definitely a challenge but is something that I couldn’t have done without the Degree Pathway for Professionals at Brock University. I have worked in the recreation industry for 15+ years but obtaining a degree was a goal that I wanted to achieve. The flexibility of courses offered, in-class session structure, and the professors created a positive experience for me. I was able to receive a three-year degree in just 16 months. I am thankful for the opportunity and would recommend this program to anyone that is looking to upgrade their education. Thank you Brock University for the opportunity to working professionals.
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Laura Iantomasi, Coordinator, Events & Community Engagement, City of Oshawa
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The course scheduling made taking this program possible for busy working professionals to pursue their degree. The course professors structured the learning environment to build upon the work experience of the students. The curriculum advisor was extremely supportive in bridging the gap between working professionals and academic life. Karen Winter, Manager of Programs & Services, City of Brantford
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As a full-time working professional, my hopes of completing my university degree seemed out of reach due to both personal and professional commitments. This all changed when I discovered the Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Degree Pathway for Professionals offered through Brock University. This option of completing my degree provided me the opportunity to complete my Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies in 16 months, with the flexibility to work at my own pace, reach my own goals, and continue to work full-time. The quality of this program, the professors, and the program coordinator were second to none in their delivery of course content, and in assisting me to reach my educational goals. The successful completion of the program has provided me with many opportunities for further professional development that would not have otherwise been achievable. I would recommend the Degree Pathway for Professionals to anyone who is looking to complete their degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Thank you Brock University for the wonderful experience.
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Brandon Clarkson, Supervisor, Business and Customer Services, City of Oshawa
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For more information, please contact: Michael Fawkes, Academic Advisor Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies Brock University 1812 Isaac Brock Way Phone: (905) 688-5550 ext. 4098 Email: mfawkes@brocku.ca Departmental Email: recl@brocku.ca Departmental Phone: (905) 688-5550 ext. 3259
brocku.ca/recl TWITTER @BrockRECL instagram @brockurecandleisure