RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES
Learn how to design, deliver, and manage the programs and services that help people live happier, healthier lives. There are three majors (or areas of focus) to choose from within this program:
Therapeutic Recreation
Recreation, Leadership, and Health
Sport and Recreation Management
What IS Recreation and Leisure Studies?
Volunteering in your community, connecting with friends and loved ones, getting out into nature, watching a live hockey game, and engaging in activities for your physical and mental wellness. Anything you do in your free time that isn’t work or school. These all represent recreation and leisure pursuits, and they’re probably some of the things that bring you the most joy in your life. Did you know they’re also an important part of what makes you and your community healthy - physically, socially, and emotionally?
The best part? The recreation industry is worth billions of dollars and there are thousands of jobs centered around organizing, programming, and managing these types of activities. Jobs where you get to make people’s lives better and communities brighter, all while pursuing a career path you love.
Our program gives you the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to become a leader in a variety of industries.
Admission requirements
Required
Six Grade 12 U or M courses, including all required courses:
- One Grade 12 U English (minimum grade of 70% is required)
Admission average
- Low 80s (regular and co-op)
There are three majors to choose from within Recreation and Leisure Studies.
A major is an area of specialization that your studies focus on.
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Help people and communities live happy, full lives by planning recreation and experiential activities that are accessible and meaningful for everyone. You'll develop the skills and knowledge needed to design and facilitate evidence- and needs-based programming for individuals, communities, and specific populations such as older adults, people with physical disabilities, and those living with a mental health diagnosis.
Common career paths include Recreation Therapist and Occupational Therapist.
RECREATION, LEADERSHIP, AND HEALTH
Study how individuals and communities experience recreation and leisure activities and why these activities are so important to human health. Strengthen your leadership skills in teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution while learning how to plan, deliver, and evaluate recreation and leisure services (like concerts, camps, travel, parks, sporting events, etc.). Throughout your degree, you'll apply a social justice lens to what you learn to become an innovative and inclusive leader.
Common career paths include manager of recreation facilities, recreation programmer, and teacher.
Note: Recreation, Leadership, and Health was formerly called Recreation and Leisure Studies.
SPORT AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT
Combine business essentials (like marketing, human resources, and finance) with a solid understanding of the sport and recreation industries. What’s the benefit of this? More career options! Graduate ready to succeed in a leadership role in commercial, non-profit, or public sector recreation or sport organizations.
Common career paths include managing community recreation, marketing for sport organizations, sport facility management, and marketing.
Note: Sport and Recreation Management was formerly called Recreation and Sport Business.
You'll choose a major right away when applying on the Ontario Universities' Application Center (OUAC). You'll be automatically placed in your major and start specializing in first year.
Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Available with co-op and without
73 questions with a Waterloo Recreation and Leisure Studies student
Meet Lauren (she/her), a Recreation and Leisure Studies student who has lots to share about her experience in the program so far.
What's special about our Recreation and Leisure Studies program?
UNIQUE PROGRAM
This program isn't offered at many other universities in Canada. If you want to formally study recreation and leisure and get ready for a career in this field, our program could be a great option for you.
HANDS ON LEARNING
Lots of hands-on learning opportunities built right into your degree - both inside and outside of class. For example, in our REC 252 class, you'll conduct a real accessibility assessment on campus or in a public building! This is A) an awesome experience, and B) helps get you career ready.
LOTS OF CAREER OPTIONS AFTER YOU GRADUATE
Because “recreation” is a part of each major, this broadens your possible career outcomes rather than limiting you to only a few. For example, as a Sport and Recreation Management graduate, you could work for a municipality, a community, a parks and recreation organization, or a professional sports team.
FLEXIBILITY
Lots of flexibility to take the courses you want and customize your degree (by adding a double major, a minor, or a specialization). Considering graduate school? Our degree lets you fit in the prerequisites you need to be considered for admission.
FIRST DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION IN CANADA
We've been leaders since day one and are dedicated to ensuring our program teaches you the most relevant, up-to-date knowledge. Plus, after 50+ years, we’ve had lots of time to develop a positive reputation for our grads in the workforce.
LARGEST CO-OP PROGRAM IN NORTH AMERICA
If you choose the co-op program, you'll have access to more jobs, more employers, and more opportunities than any similar co-op programs on the continent.
