Recreation and Leisure Studies Programs (RECL)

Chair
Tim O’Connell

Professor Emeritus
Colleen Hood, Peggy Hutchison

Professors
Tim O’Connell, Shalini Singh

Associate Professors
Martha Barnes, Sanghee Chun, Scott Forrester, Pei-Chun Hsieh, Garrett Hutson, Kyle Rich, Erin Sharpe, Colleen Whyte

Assistant Professors
Corliss Bean, Alisa Grigorovich

Adjunct Professors
Mandi Baker, Lauren Cripps, Ryan Howard

Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator
Michelle Leone

Experiential Education Co-ordinator
Ty Bolibruck

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Rachael Bujtas
recl@brocku.ca

905-688-5550, extension 3259
Academic South 357
brocku.ca/applied-health-sciences/recreation-leisure/

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies offers four-year programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies. The requirement for graduation with a BRLS (Honours) is a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average. The requirement for graduation with a BRLS is a minimum 60 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average. The Department also offers a three-year (Pass) program leading to a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies. The program is designed to qualify graduates for a wide range of positions in the field of leisure services.

The Community Recreation program prepares students with the knowledge, competencies, and philosophical grounding to take leadership roles in the community sector. Courses prepare students for effective practice in public and non-profit settings with courses in organizational development, finance, marketing, programming, planning, and research. Community development and responsiveness to diversity are emphasized, particularly of youth and groups that are marginalized. Fieldwork opportunities and community engagement are embedded throughout the curriculum.

The Outdoor Recreation program focuses on leadership in the natural environment. This program provides students with the skills, knowledge and dispositions necessary to serve as wilderness trip leaders, to facilitate groups in outdoor recreation settings, to work in a variety of outdoor and experiential education environments, and to serve as agents of social and environmental change in the world. All classroom and field-based activities include lectures, outdoor and experiential activities, and small group work.

Students can receive credit for participating in extended outdoor recreation field experiences offered by Outward Bound Canada, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Wilderness Medical Associates, ALIVE Outdoors and other agencies. Students must consult departments before registering with the sponsoring agency and are responsible for registration, transportation and fees associated with the experience.

The Therapeutic Recreation program prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities, illnesses and other limiting conditions to support them to achieve independence and full engagement in meaningful life activities through positive leisure involvement. These aims are achieved through client-centred individual and/or group interventions designed to teach skills, improve functional capacities, support psychosocial adaptation and address underlying issues that impact or limit participation in meaningful life activities, particularly leisure. The department offers courses that can lead to achieving certification through the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Students who wish to achieve certification must complete 3.0 credits of supportive coursework in the broad area of human services. Supportive course areas may include adapted physical education, education, human biological/physical sciences, psychology, sociology, health related issues, communication, and human behaviours and problems. Courses must be from outside the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Program Notes

1. A minimum 65 percent overall average in RECL 1P90 , RECL 1P95 , and RECL 1P99  is required to continue as a major in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Students who do not meet this requirement will be moved to the Bachelor of Applied Health (AGEN).
2. Students interested in receiving credit for extended outdoor recreation field experiences must contact the Department. Certain restrictions will apply. 
3. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)90; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.

Concurrent BRLS (Honours)/BEd

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and the Faculty of Education cooperate in offering a Concurrent BRLS (Honours)/BEd program with a Concentration in Outdoor Education. The Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies (BRLS) (Honours)/BEd program combines the BRLS (Honours) degree with the teacher education program for students interested in teaching at the Junior/Intermediate level (grades 4-10). Refer to the Education - Concurrent BRLS (Honours)/BEd (Junior/Intermediate) program listings for further information.

Successful graduates of the Concurrent BRLS (Honours)/BEd degree will receive an Honours Bachelor of Recreation degree and a Bachelor of Education degree. The Dean of the Faculty of Education may recommend that the Ontario College of Teachers grant Ontario Certificate of Qualification certifying them to teach Junior/Intermediate (grades 4-10).