Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation

at NorQuest College - Edmonton Campus Canada

NorQuest Bridging to Post-Secondary provides an opportunity to students who need additional English language or academic upgrading courses to fully meet admission requirements for a post-secondary program.

NorQuest Bridging students will

• Receive a conditional offer of admission to their target post-secondary program and be able to reserve a seat in the target program
• Work closely with an advisor to design a personalized education plan
• Have up to four terms of study to meet the conditions of their admission by completing English as a Second Language (ESL) Intensive or Academic Upgrading courses at NorQuest College
• Be able to take select courses in their post-secondary program prior to full admission
• Take skill development courses to promote academic success

Participating post-secondary programs

• ELP Band E programs
  • Accounting Technician
  • Administrative Professional
  • Business Administration
• ELP Band F programs
  • Disability Studies
  • Early Learning and Child Care
  • Environmental Protection Technology
  • Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant
  • Settlement Studies
  • Therapeutic Recreation
• ELP Band H programs
  • Health Care Leadership
  • Practical Nurse

Indigenous Studies Diploma program was approved by Advanced Education to launch in Fall 2021! NorQuest is proud to be the only post-secondary institution that offers this diploma in the Edmonton area and, in fact, in the province!

The Indigenous Studies name reflects on the subject of study that covers a wide range of Indigenous knowledge including culture, history, arts, and Indigenous ways of being and knowing. This diploma program offers learners the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the cultural, historical, social and political experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

Indigenous Studies is designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to explore Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, treaties agreement, culture, and health and wellness. Students will be trained through experiential learning, land-based learning, and theory-based courses. 

The full-time diploma program will run over 6 terms and can be completed in 2 years of full-time study.
Students will be involved in experiential learning through a Land-Based Learning course in term 3 of the program. Through land-based teaching, learners will develop and experience Indigenous ways of knowing through storytelling, language, traditional teachings and personal reflection, to show the resilience of Indigenous people. 

In addition, the diploma offers students an optional Community Service Learning course in term 6. Students who choose this optional course will have a unique opportunity to get to know their community, to work with an Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper, and to participate in a range of activities that develop skills in critical thinking, leadership, ethical decision-making, social consciousness, community engagement, and governance. 

Graduates of the program will have the knowledge and skills to work with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations or to transfer to university to continue their education. 

Many of the courses are university transfer, allowing for course-by-course as well as block transfer agreements with universities across Alberta and beyond. 

Current understandings include a block transfer agreement with the University of Alberta’s Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) and course-by-course transfer to their Bachelor of Arts, Native Studies program. Courses from this program will be available in Open Studies as well.  

Energy Management is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the growing workforce needs in the energy sector. You will learn to apply emerging renewable energy sources, understand energy efficiency, and navigate energy policy so that you can support and direct the energy needs of organizations and communities.

The program focuses on the professional side of the energy industry to rapidly familiarize students with innovative and emerging technology trends such as microgeneration, supply chain management, and community energy and emissions planning. The interdisciplinary approach of this program provides learners with a suite of skills to be effective in an industry that innovates frequently.

At the end of Year 2, students will have the option of completing a 16-week paid internship as a competitive elective.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes an optional co-op placement of 600 hours.

To meet Alberta's growing needs in health care, the demand for licensed practical nurses is increasing. NorQuest College's Practical Nurse program, one of the largest in Canada, will prepare you to become a professional practical nurse educated to give high-quality care to clients in a variety of health-care settings.

What to expect from the program
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their clinical practice
• have access to a computer and Internet, and basic computer skills
• are able to demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour

The Early Learning and Child Care diploma program will combine theory with practice to prepare graduates for Child Development Supervisor certifications from Alberta Human Services.

Early learning and child care professionals play an important role in supporting families and promoting healthy growth. Research shows the early years are critical in shaping a child's overall development. The importance of play in how children understand the world around them is embedded throughout this program, and it aligns well with current Canadian curriculum frameworks in early learning and care.

Note: Graduates of NorQuest's Early Learning and Child Care – certificate program or other Early Learning and Child Care certificate programs should apply to the Early Learning and Child Care – diploma (year 2 only) version of the program.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes four practicums totalling 800 hours.

The Disability Studies program is a two-year diploma that will develop the skills needed to effectively work in supporting individuals with disabilities across their lifespan. Individuals with developmental disabilities need support in early intervention, community settings, schools, recreation, and employment opportunities. A skilled workforce is needed to help people with disabilities achieve their goals and effectively participate as members of the community.

Disability service workers can work in a family or community setting in teams or independently to support individuals and their families. Graduates will create, implement, assess and modify plans to help utilize individuals’ strengths and abilities to increase avenues for meaningful participation in the community and society.

Business Analysis professionals play a vital role in helping organization create efficiencies, update processes, and modernize to meet the challenges of today. This is a non-credit program that issues a Professional Certificate upon successful completion of the courses and three-month work integrated learning component.

The Machine Learning Analyst diploma program provides a flexible, industry-aligned education to help you enter the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) workforce.

This program will prepare you for entry-level jobs creating business solutions for companies of all sizes. The program focuses on developing fundamental skills in AI and ML, such as data analytics and computer programming, and will help provide you with fundamental business acumen so you can work in multi-disciplinary teams to develop competitive business solutions that are based on modern strategies.

This program was developed as part of the Alberta AI Pathways Partnership. Through this partnership, the program prepares you for AI-related careers through a work-integrated project course where you work on real-world ML problems with local businesses, while also developing a portfolio to prepare for employment.

NorQuest’s Health Care Aide program is among the largest in Canada and prepares you to be part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing frontline care to clients in need of assistance.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• Are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• Have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their practicum
• Have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• Applicants should review the job requirements listed below and assess your ability to fulfill the demands of the health care aide occupation.

As a health care aide, you must be able to:

• Work day, evening, and night shifts any day of the week
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time
• Bend, squat and lift up to 40 pounds to move clients who have minimal body strength
• Function effectively in stressful situations
• Perform all skills independently

The Health Care Aide Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with health-care employers. Consult your employer if you are interested in this program option.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes four practicums totalling 800 hours.

The Therapeutic Recreation certificate program focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities.
Following successful completion, graduates may continue on to the Therapeutic Recreation – diploma program.
In this program, you will learn how to enhance your clients' quality of life through leisure activities. The program will prepare you to work with a variety of client groups in different care settings.

Both a certificate and diploma are available:
The Certificate year (Year 1) focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities. Available through on-campus instruction, hybrid delivery, or online education.
The Diploma year (Year 2) Therapeutic Recreation – diploma focuses on the concepts, theory, and practical experiences related to leadership and critical thinking in order to prepare graduates to work more independently. Available through on-campus instruction, hybrid delivery, or online education.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:
Are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands.

• Have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their practicum.
• Have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• Applicants are requested to review the job requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the therapeutic recreation occupation.

Working in therapeutic recreation, you must be able to:

• Work shifts and weekends
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time
• Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
• Be comfortable taking a leadership role in groups of all sizes
• Work with clients of all ages, cultures, and genders
• Function effectively independently, on a team, and in stressful situations
• Demonstrate adaptability and critical thinking skills