Be ready to make a difference in the lives of seniors.

Find satisfaction working with this growing population, learning the skills necessary to assess, plan and execute recreational activities. You’ll learn through theory, practice and field placements, to prepare you for a career working with older adults.

Be a Student for a Day
Bowling
Doing a puzzle

Why should you study Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology at Lethbridge Polytechnic?

Our program is recognized by the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association and is one of the few therapeutic recreation programs in Canada with a focus on gerontology.  You’re learning will take place in the classroom, lab and in the field through work-integrated learning experiences. Our on-campus Simulation Hub, one of only four such centres in Canada accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, immerses students in realistic scenarios. Our dedicated, caring and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you prepare for a career helping others.

1 of the few

therapeutic recreation programs in Canada that specializes in gerontology

2 work-integrated

learning experience opportunities to put theory into practice and gain skills for immediate employment

1 of 4

Students participate in immersive learning experiences in the Simulation Hub, one of only four such centres in Canada accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Career Opportunities

Your diploma in Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology will prepare you to work in many settings, including:

  • Community-based programs
  • Group homes
  • Hospitals
  • Lodges
  • Long term care
  • Mental health programs
  • Rehabilitation programs
  • Seniors day programs
  • Senior centers
  • Supportive living
80% 

of our TRG program grads had a related job less than six months after graduating from the program

transfer agreements with universities in Alberta, British Columbia and Australia

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

Yoga

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September

Credential / Accreditation

Diploma

Duration

2 years

International Eligibility

This program is available for International Students.

Application Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
PGWP Eligible
Notes
Fall 2026
Open
Open
Eligible 51.0899
On Campus
Fall 2026
Open
Unavailable
Ineligible
Online

Admissions

Apply Now
Admission Requirements

New applicants for both the campus based and on-line learning cohorts are admitted into the Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program in the Fall (September) term. 

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

  • 60 percent minimum in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 70 percent in ELA 30-2
  • Grade 12 Biology

Note: Effective for the Fall 2026 intake, in addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admissions section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

  • 50 percent minimum in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 30-2
  • Grade 12 Biology
Graduation

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma.

Transfers
Partner InstitutionPartner ProgramIncoming/OutgoingEffective Dates and Details
Athabasca University Bachelor of Professional Arts - Human Services Outgoing
September 2018 - August 2025

Bachelor of Professional Arts - Human Services

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts - Human Services. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Post-Diploma Bachelor of Commerce Outgoing
September 2020 - August 2025

Post-Diploma Bachelor of Commerce

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 30 credits towards Athabasca University's Post-Diploma Bachelor of Commerce. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Post-Diploma Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations Outgoing
September 2020 - August 2025

Post-Diploma Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 30 credits towards Athabasca University's Post-Diploma Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management Outgoing
September 2020 - August 2025

Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 30 credits towards Athabasca University's Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Bachelor of Professional Arts - Governance, Law, and Management Outgoing
September 2018 - August 2025

Bachelor of Professional Arts - Governance, Law, and Management

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts - Governance, Law, and Management. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Bachelor of Professional Arts - Criminal Justice Outgoing
September 2018 - August 2025

Bachelor of Professional Arts - Criminal Justice

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts - Criminal Justice. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Athabasca University Bachelor of Professional Arts - Communication Studies Outgoing
September 2018 - August 2025

Bachelor of Professional Arts - Communication Studies

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts - Communication Studies. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.

Griffith University, Australia Bachelor of Human Services Outgoing
July 2021 - June 2026

Bachelor of Human Services

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 65% are eligible for transfer credit towards Griffith University's Bachelor of Human Services. Students will be provided an approved course completion pathway at time of offer of admission. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Griffith University or visit their website for more information.

Thompson Rivers University Bachelor of Health Science Outgoing
Pending Renewal

Bachelor of Health Science

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 57 credits towards Thompson Rivers University's Bachelor of Health Science, Students should contact Academic Advising at Thompson Rivers University or visit their website for more information.

Thompson Rivers University Bachelor of General Studies Outgoing
Pending Renewal

Bachelor of General Studies

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards Thompson Rivers University's Bachelor of General Studies. Students should contact Academic Advising at Thompson Rivers University or visit their website for more information. 

University of Calgary Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Outgoing
September 2011 - August 2030

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma are eligible for up to 60 credits towards the University of Calgary's Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation. Students should consult Academic Advising at the University of Calgary or visit their website for more information.

University of Lethbridge Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation Outgoing
May 2020 - May 2030

Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation

Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00 or higher, are eligible for transfer to the University of Lethbridge's Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation. Enrollment in the degree program is limited and a higher GPA may be required to meet competitive admission requirements. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge or visit their website for more information.

Practicums
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The Polytechnic dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge Polytechnic, preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge Polytechnic and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge Polytechnic's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

Courses
CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
Term I
BIO-1152Physiology of Aging3
ENG-1150Composition3
PSY-1177Psychology of Aging3
TRG-1150Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation3
TRG-1164Leadership Theory3
 Credits15
Term II
COM-1162Interpersonal Relationships and Communications3
PSY-1170Human Development Across the Lifespan3
SOC-1167Sociology of Aging3
TRG-1160Therapeutic Recreation Program Planning I3
TRG-1199Practicum I3
TRG-2263Aging Disorders and Disabilities3
 Credits18
Year 2
Term I
TRG-2253Therapeutic Recreation Assessment3
TRG-2257Evidence Informed Programming in TR3
TRG-2261Behavioral Approaches in TR3
TRG-2268Therapeutic Recreation Programs6
 Credits15
Term II
PSY-2260Psychopathology3
TRG-2259Therapeutic Recreation Issues and Trends3
TRG-2264Community Resources3
TRG-2275Fitness for the Older Adult3
TRG-2299Advanced Practicum II6
 Credits18
 Total Credits66

Please refer to the online Academic Timetable for course availability.

Important Note(s):

Online Learning students are responsible for any fees for service by an off-site exam proctor.

All "TRG" specific courses within the Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology diploma MUST be completed within 6 years of the first TRG course taken. However, the support courses (i.e. SOC, PSY) have a 10 year completion date.

Students must complete the two practicums on a full-time basis. Due to the limited availability of practicum sites, students may be required to relocate from their home community to complete the practicum placements.

Online learning students must consult with the program chair or the practicum coordinator prior to registering for their practicums. Online Learning students wanting to enroll in either TRG-1199 Practicum I (3 credits) or TRG-2299 Advanced Practicum II (6 credits) must register prior to September 1st for the winter term placement and January 1st for a spring/summer term placement.

It is not recommended that Online Learning students register in more than 2 theory courses and practicum concurrently. Contact the TRG program chair to develop a plan.

Online Learning students who reside outside of Alberta must be aware they may not be covered under Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) insurance coverage when participating in practicums outside of Alberta.

View course timetables
Tuition and Fees

Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$4,524.00
$1,547.00
$1,350.00
Year 2
$4,455.00
$1,547.00
$800.00

View detailed program cost estimates

International Students

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$16,899.00
$1,547.00
$1,350.00
Year 2
$18,101.00
$1,547.00
$800.00

Notes

Any fees for service by an off-site test proctor are the responsibility of the student.

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

Budget Wizard

Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!

Budget Wizard

Delivery Formats

The Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology program is available through the following delivery methods.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Online

This program is fully delivered online with both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) components.

Scholarships

With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge Polytechnic awards and scholarships - visit our Awards and Scholarships page for more information.

Need more information?

TRG.DIP