Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
GDEV 1005 - Growth and Development
Upon completion the learner will acquire an understanding of the process of growth and development including physical, cognitive, psychosocial and developmental tasks across the lifespan.
RECH 1000 - Introduction to Recreation and Leisure
This introductory course will examine the historical and philosophical evolution of recreation, leisure and sport. The focus will be on leisure as an integral dimension influencing the quality of an individual’s life. Learners will investigate
key sectors of the recreation field including unique, non-profit, private sector and public service delivery. This course will focus on the review of current goals and priorities for Canada and Nova Scotia and link them with delivery of recreation services. Learners will be introduced to the national and provincial organizations that provide support, research, and development of recreation in Canada.
RECH 1010 - Seminars for Healthy Communities I
Seminars for Healthy Communities I is designed to assist students explore the issues, supports, and professional roles in the recreation field.
The course is comprised of a series of certifications, workshops and seminars designed to assist students in developing a strong foundation a as a professional in the recreation field. The seminars involve various agencies/professionals who are active in the recreation profession. These will allow students to examine the broad spectrum of work opportunities available in the recreation industry.
There are additional costs associated with the certifications. Some of the certifications may be required to be completed in a camp or outdoor setting. Due to the nature of assessment for certifications, it is required to be in attendance for all sessions.
RECH 1012 - Modelling Healthy Lifestyle
Learners will become familiar with the personal dimensions of wellness (physical, spiritual, environmental, mental, emotional and social dimensions) - exploring each dimension through academic and practical study formats. Learners will study specific personal wellness topics ranging from healthy behaviour change, to psychosocial health, stress management, nutrition and physical active lifestyle practices. Learners will model healthy lifestyle behaviour through exploration of self-awareness, identifying their strengths and skills and identify areas for development. The learners will focus on the need for personal wellness and include strategies to improve personal wellness through implementation of their personal wellness plan.
RECH 1013 - Recreation Programming
Programming is a fundamental skill set that entry level recreation professionals require for special events, tournaments and programs. This course will introduce the principles of programming to the learner and take him or her through an examination of the major aspects of programming as a primary function of a modern recreation professional. Specifically, the course will examine the role of recreation programs in the delivery of recreation services; what people seek from recreation programs and special events; the role of the programmer in a recreation agency; the program participant as a customer and customer behaviour, needs assessment, program and special event development, program streams, program and special event marketing, budgeting and pricing, direct and indirect delivery, evaluation, and future trends. Learners will also explore the theory of tournament organization and scheduling.
RECH 1014 - Professional Practice I
This course introduces the student to the concept of professional conduct that is required in the workplace. Students will focus on the interpersonal skills required in maintaining healthy working relationships.
RECH 1016 - Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Recreation is a study of leisure as a vehicle for personal growth, social development, adventure and challenge. This course will build an awareness of the Outdoor Recreation industry/field. This course will provide the opportunity for students to engage in experiential education experiences.
RECH 1020 - Seminars for Healthy Communities II
In this course students will build on their knowledge of the agencies and opportunities in the recreation field gained in the Seminars for Healthy Communities I course. Working in small groups, students will facilitate a class exploration of specific agencies including roles and responsibilities. Students will identify opportunities for work experience.
The course is comprised of a series of certifications, workshops and seminars designed to assist students in developing a strong foundation as a professional in the recreation field. There are additional costs associated with the certifications. Some of the certifications may be required to be completed in a camp or outdoor setting. Due to the nature of assessment for certifications, it is required to be in attendance for all sessions.
RECH 1022 - Building Healthy Communities
This course will build on the learning outcomes delivered in the Modeling Healthy Lifestyle course. Learners will have an opportunity to expand their understanding from the personal focus of health and wellness to the broader concept of community health. Learners in this course will become familiar with the Determinants of Health. Learners will explore the combined influence of the determinants of health and how they impact participation in recreation and leisure services. Learners will study government response to the physical inactivity and obesity epidemic facing our communities.
RECH 1023 - Applied Recreation Programming
This course provides the opportunity for the learner to apply the principles of recreation programming. This course in programming will concentrate on leadership concepts and practices, group facilitation and practical experience in programming. Learners will participate in groups to plan, implement and evaluate a recreation program and special event/tournament.
RECH 1024 - Professional Communication I
This course further investigates professional conduct that is required in the workplace. Students will focus on communication skills, written and oral.
RECH 1027 - Community Development for Recreation
Recreation professionals promote growth in healthy communities using a community development model. The course will investigate advocacy and knowledge exchange as a key part of community development. Learners will explore networking and collaboration. The purpose of this course is to explore the dynamics of community change as well as practical approaches for taking action to facilitate community change. The course focuses on the role of recreation as a service and the role of the recreationist as change agent and advocate.
RECH 1028 - Risk Management
The majority of this course will deal with risk management in leisure, sport, ecotourism and outdoor recreation settings. This course will review the processes and steps required to manage risk, both physical and legal. Methods will include lecture, case studies, Socratic method, and class discussion of actual cases.
RECH 1029 - Foundations of Exercise
This introductory course provides a theoretical foundation for those looking for a career in the fitness field. The wellbeing of communities, individuals and the environment is a major focus for the leisure industry; therefore, it is important for recreation professionals to have a broad understanding of the fitness field.
RECH 1050 - Work Experience I
Work experience provides the learners with the opportunity to develop a better understanding of their career choice while they learn more about the conditions they will encounter as employees.
RECH 2010 - Seminars for Healthy Communities III
In this course, students will demonstrate their knowledge of the agencies and opportunities in the recreation field gained in the Seminars for Healthy Communities I & II and Work Experience I or Cooperative Education courses. Students will develop a poster board presentation regarding the opportunities, experience, and competency requirements for the work experience position and in partnership with Work Experience I or Cooperative Education supervisor (where possible), present in a Job Fair with potential new students and first year students. Students will further develop their goal plan for future opportunities.
The course is comprised of a series of certifications, workshops and seminars designed to assist students in developing a strong foundation as a professional in the recreation field. There are additional costs associated with the certifications. Some of the certifications may be required to be completed in a camp or outdoor setting. Due to the nature of assessment for certifications, it is required to be in attendance for all sessions.
RECH 2012 - Sport Philosophy and Ethical Issues
This course focuses on acceptable ethics and codes of conduct related to the role of the recreation professional. Learners will have the opportunity to investigate ethical issues as well as develop strategies to deal with moral dilemmas. The course also looks at the role of sport and its influence on ethical decision making. Learners will be challenged to reflect on their personal and professionally held values systems as they apply to ethics and ethical decision-making in recreation and the issues of personal wellbeing, physical and mental training, and emotional experience in sport.
The learner will be challenged to question the nature of competition, the importance of winning, and issues involving social bias and oppression, political ideals, and globalization in sport. The course provides opportunities to debate ethical issues such as those concerning doping, cheating, body image, self-harm, and harm to others in competition, training and exercise, the relationship of leisure to work (work-life balance), the politics of gender in recreation and sport, the impact of wealth on the ability to experience leisure and stay healthy and fit, and the basic values inherent in both elite sport participation and grass roots recreation, violence and corruption in sport, racism in leisure, LGBTQI in sport and recreation, as well as others.
RECH 2014 - Professional Communication II
This course further investigates professional conduct that is required in the workplace and its relation to social media usage as well as research. Students will be introduced to desktop publishing, and database management. They will be exposed to tools used to design and create brochures, newsletters and other publications. Students will identify the keys points to evaluate an effective web site. The course will also provide an introduction to data management.
RECH 2017 - Recreation Facilities
This course will provide an overview of recreation facility development and operation. Specifically, the course will focus on types of facilities as well as a basic development process, design, operation, maintenance and marketing of these facilities. Specific issues that face recreation facility operators will also be examined including access for those with disabilities, life cycle planning, facility users – facility staff interactions and fiscal management. The course will examine some of the basic physical operational aspects of common recreation facilities. Learners will investigate the importance of maintaining the wellbeing of both natural and built environments.
RECH 2018 - Recreation Management
This course will provide an overview of recreation management by outlining what generic management is and what its components are and then extrapolating to recreation agency management and administration. Basic introductory management theory will be covered including the four traditional elements of management: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Traits of successful managers, managerial styles, management skills, organizational culture, relationships of managers to organizational effectiveness and efficiency are all topics included in this course. The course will also explore volunteer management and how it is similar to, but also different from, the management of paid staff.
RECH 2019 - Exercise for Healthy Communities
The purpose of this course is to introduce the learner to three components of the National Fitness Leadership Alliance training. The learner will focus on group exercise, older adult exercise, and resistance training.
RECH 2020 - Seminars for Healthy Communities IV
In the Healthy Communities IV course, students will continue to develop their goal plan for the future. Students will be expected to identify areas of challenge experienced in the classroom, interacting with others in community based integrated projects and in work experience. Students will then develop and implement a strategy to work towards improved skills and/or knowledge.
The course is comprised of a series of certifications, workshops and seminars designed to assist students in developing a strong foundation as a professional in the recreation field. There are additional costs associated with the certifications. Some of the certifications may be required to be completed in a camp or outdoor setting. Due to the nature of assessment for certifications, it is required to be in attendance for all sessions.
RECH 2023 - Applied Recreation Planning
This course will provide the opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of the steps required to create a strategic plan for municipal community recreation services. This course in recreation planning, will offer learning opportunities that support community strategic plan development from various strategic focus areas such as: physical activity, active transportation, bikeway planning, trail signage, or facility master plan. Students will observe, critique and support various phases of community recreation strategic plan development.
RECH 2024 - Professional Practice II
This course further investigates professional conduct that is required in the workplace. This course focuses on job readiness for the profession. Students will conduct meetings, set agendas and record minutes, conduct interviews, complete a resume and portfolio.
RECH 2028 - Recreation Marketing
This course will introduce and provide an overview of Marketing as a business discipline with emphasis on the marketing of recreation agencies, their products and services. Marketing theory will be the basis for this course. The evolution of marketing, the marketing mix, the importance of marketing in a competitive world, the importance of having a customer focus in marketing, market segmentation and target marketing are all topics covered in this course. Marketing for not-for-profit recreation agencies will also be examined.
RECH 2029 - Inclusive Recreation
This course examines the barriers that exist for individuals, children and families and their ability to participate in recreation and leisure time pursuits. These include intrinsic, environmental and communication barriers. Each will be explored in detail and possible solutions and challenges discussed. The terminology inclusive versus special needs will be debated. Learners will identify ways to strive to meet needs by providing inclusive and accessible leisure and recreation opportunities.
Learners will become familiar with specific challenges that result in a need for special recreation services; they will study past and current terminology as it relates to persons with special needs. They will discuss personal and community attitudes/ concepts related to persons with special needs and finally explore the relationship of all the above to the leisure program planning process. Learners will explore ways and means to assess, plan, improve, implement and evaluate recreation programs, services and facilities for persons who have special needs. Learners will study recreation and leisure services and the positive or negative impact they may have on the persons with special needs who live and work in our communities.
RECH 2050 - Work Experience II
Work experience provides the learners with the opportunity to develop a better understanding of their career choice while they learn more about the conditions they will encounter as employees.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.
SOCS 2025 - Introduction to Grant Proposal Writing
Social and recreation service delivery is dependent on grants, contracts or contributions to program funding. Learners will explore the structure and processes required to develop a successful grant proposal for projects associated with recreation and social services delivery.
TREC 2003 - Leisure Across the Lifespan
This course is designed for in-depth exploration of the impact of recreation and leisure on the growth and development of individuals throughout their life. Students will consider the impact of family, peers, and other life milestones (work, marriage, children, etc.) on recreation involvement.
Open elective course requirement. Four credits.
NOTE: No two courses can be used to satisfy program requirements that are at the same level, subject area and topical area or that are otherwise deemed to be equivalent.
