Ontario College Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services
Start Dates:
September 2023
- Program Highlights
- Success Stories
- Why Choose Fleming
- Work Experience
- Is this You?
- Dual Diploma Option: Broaden your career options in the recreation and fitness sector.
- Career Opportunities
- Indigenous Perspectives Designation
- Related Programs
- Additional Costs
- Health and Non Academic Requirements
- Minimum Admission Requirements
- Mature Students
- Tuition and Fees Detail
- Transfer Agreements
The fast-growing Recreation and Leisure industry offers rewarding, challenging careers, providing recreation programs and special events to people of all ages, in a variety of unique and exciting settings.
Program Highlights
Our graduates are working across the country and around the world, at Rimrock Resort, Banff Springs Resort, Carnival Cruise Lines, Killary Outdoor Centre, Ireland, and Surf School in New Zealand.
Many of our graduates also transfer to Brock University with significant credit towards a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Organizations that have hired our grads include:
- Boys and Girls clubs in Lindsay and in London, Ontario
- City of Ottawa Recreation Department
- City of Peterborough Recreation Division
- Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre
- City of Kawartha Lakes
- Queen Street Mental Health Centre, Toronto
- Seneca College Outdoor Recreation Program
- numerous hospitals and seniors' residences throughout Ontario.
Being well-prepared for a range of recreation careers means hands-on training is essential. You will become skilled in how to be a leader, how to manage and develop recreation programs, do marketing, manage human resources, plan and conduct research, special event management and facilities operations. Besides these managerial skills, you'll need to be able to work at the grassroots level to bring appropriate recreational and leisure programming to the community. Training in community development, leisure and lifestyle enhancement, and inclusive recreation are important aspects of your program. To top off your studies in the "how" and "why" of recreation and leisure services, and tailor your learning to your career interest, you'll put it all into practice with a semester-long placement at the end of your program.
Make lasting friendships, develop confidence and professionalism, and learn new skills through a variety of field trip experiences that include rock climbing, high/low rope, canoeing, kayaking, theatre, golf, swimming, caving and hiking.
Success Stories
"The program can lead you into a wide variety of career opportunities. I would like to thank my teachers for providing me with the necessary skills to become an Activity Director."
Shari Forsyth, Program Graduate,
Activity Director, Empress Gardens, Peterborough, Ontario.
“This program valued the elements of good-natured fun, leadership development and healthy living—this stuff really appealed to me. Lastly, I was sold on the potential of having an adventurous placement experience.”
Program graduate Keary Dean spent his placement at Whistler Olympic Park and was later hired as a Guest Service Representative. He then studied nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and plans to pursue a career as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with a specialization in sports nutrition.
Why Choose Fleming
Many organizations have come to trust the quality of education in Fleming's program, and seek out our graduates. The four-month placement opportunity is the longest available in this type of program, while the broad base of studies within management, community development and practical skills make graduates an asset to employers.
Work Experience
Your four-month placement offers you an intensive, challenging opportunity to put your skills into practice. You choose the location and setting, your instructors will encourage you as you find and negotiate your placement. You can do your placement locally, provincially, across Canada or in an international setting.
You'll work with community-based agencies (of your choice) on real -- not simulated -- recreation/leisure projects. This will be valuable learning for later, when you're looking for a job. Your placement could be working with youth at risk, with seniors, in outdoor education programs, fitness organizations/centres, children's programs, schools, resorts or municipal settings. There are few limitations as to where you can do your placement. For example, Fleming has a unique partnership with the Resort, Recreation and Tourism Management Student Internship Program in the United States that students can take advantage of. You can work as an activity coordinator at a resort or prepare for a career on a cruise ship.
For your placement, field agencies may require you to submit a current police records check, which is available from your local police department upon payment of a fee. In addition, you may also be required to provide a current Standard First Aid Certificate, and a current Basic CPR Certificate (level C).
Is this You?
- enjoy working with people
- interest in maximizing human potential and healthy lifestyles
- able to work as part of a team or independently
- good organizational and time management skills
- flexible/open-minded
- an interest in sports, arts, fitness, or adult education is an asset
Dual Diploma Option: Broaden your career options in the recreation and fitness sector.
The Recreation and Leisure Services and Fitness and Health Promotion programs have shared a common first year since the launch of the Dual Diploma Option in 2017. The option allows you to discover what areas of these health-related industries best suit your goals. In this foundation year, you'll benefit from expanded learning outcomes that are only available at Fleming and select colleges that offer this pathway. You’ll increase your skill base, and you could earn a dual diploma in just five semesters. Students are not locked into one career stream and don't have to decide until the end of semester four to pursue the fifth semester dual diploma option. For details, contact the program coordinator.
Career Opportunities
Take your pick of a variety of employers - why not consider a career with:
- resorts and cruise lines
- health and fitness centres
- special event planning services
- commercial recreation facilities
- municipal recreation departments
- golf clubs
- senior's centres, nursing homes
- hospitals, treatment centres
- correctional facilities
- outdoor recreation/education environments
- new immigrant services
- after school programs
Job titles include:
- recreation specialist
- recreation sports analyst
- team/club program coordinator
- activities assistant/director
- sports and leisure consultant
- community recreation consultant
- fitness coordinator
- outdoor education programmer
- special event coordinator
- youth programmer
- parks and facility coordinator
Indigenous Perspectives Designation
The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students studying in the Community and Justice Services program. To qualify for the IPD, students must take and successfully complete GNED49 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies and GNED128 - Indigenous Knowledges, along with a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences that will be incorporated into the final portfolio assignment in GNED128. The student’s transcript will indicate the IPD designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that will be marketable in the employment sector.
Related Programs
Add a Specialization to your skills: Therapeutic Recreation Post-Graduate Program
Graduates of the Recreation and Leisure Services program can add a specialty in Therapeutic Recreation with just three additional semesters of study, including a 14 week field placement in a therapeutic setting.
The Recreation and Leisure Services program offers a dual credential opportunity through Brock University. Program graduates receive their college diploma and can obtain significant credit towards the Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies three year or Honours degree. See Transfer Agreements below for more information.
Additional Costs
You should plan to spend approximately $700 per year for books and supplies.
Health and Non Academic Requirements
Non Academic Requirements
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Recreation and Leisure Services must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD including Gr 12 C English
OSSD with majority of courses at College (C ) or Open (O) unless otherwise stated.
Grade 12 C courses will be accepted where Gr 11 C course requirements are listed.
Where College level courses are listed, U and M courses will be accepted.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Skillsmarker to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.
Tuition and Fees Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition and Fees Details Chart below.
View complete tuition and fees details
Domestic Students
Semester 1 | Amount |
---|---|
Academic Supports | $24.91 |
Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
Athletics and Recreation | $56.30 |
Career Services | $14.25 |
Health Plan | $290.00 |
Health and Counselling | $51.91 |
Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
Integrated Transportation Fee | $365.00 |
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre | $92.91 |
Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
Student Activity Fee | $95.00 |
Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
Tuition | $1,290.38 |
Total | $2,427.09 |
Semester 3 | Amount |
---|---|
Academic Supports | $24.91 |
Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
Athletics and Recreation | $56.30 |
Career Services | $14.25 |
Health Plan | $290.00 |
Health and Counselling | $51.91 |
Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
Integrated Transportation Fee | $365.00 |
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre | $92.91 |
Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
Student Activity Fee | $95.00 |
Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
Tuition | $1,290.38 |
Total | $2,427.09 |
International Students
Semester 1 | Amount |
---|---|
Academic Supports | $24.91 |
Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
Athletics and Recreation | $56.30 |
Career Services | $14.25 |
Health and Counselling | $51.91 |
Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
Integrated Transportation Fee | $365.00 |
International Health Plan | $880.74 |
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre | $92.91 |
Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
Student Activity Fee | $95.00 |
Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
Tuition | $7,048.71 |
Total | $8,776.16 |
Semester 3 | Amount |
---|---|
Academic Supports | $24.91 |
Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
Athletics and Recreation | $56.30 |
Career Services | $14.25 |
Health and Counselling | $51.91 |
Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
Integrated Transportation Fee | $365.00 |
International Health Plan | $880.74 |
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre | $92.91 |
Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
Student Activity Fee | $95.00 |
Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
Tuition | $7,048.71 |
Total | $8,776.16 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
---|---|---|---|
Fall | $880.74 | $365.00 | September to December |
Winter | $807.79 | $255.50 | January to August |
Spring | $367.47 | $142.35 | May to August |
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
Atlantic Technological University – Sligo
Requirement
- Minimum 60% cumulative program average.
- Complete the Accounting for Non-Accountants module.
- Hold an externally accredited qualification in one or more Fitness Instruction (Can Fit Pro), Assistant Swim Teaching (Canadian National Swim Association) & Introductory Level Lifeguard (Emergency Response Award) before arrival.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd-year studies of a 3-year program.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the KOM Consultants website.
For more information
Brock University
Requirement
- Minimum 70-74.9% cumulative program average.
- OR
- Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- 5 out of a 20-credit degree
- OR
- 6 out of a 20-credit degree.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Hartpury University
Requirement
- Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd-year studies.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
For more information
Ontario Tech University
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- 60 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
- Completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge.
Transfer Credit
- 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Royal Roads University
Requirement
- Minimum B cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd-year studies of a 4-year program.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the Royal Roads University's admissions website.
For more information
Seneca College
Requirement
- Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 4th semester standing in an 8-semester program.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum 65% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd semester standing in an 8-semester program.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
For more information
Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
Requirement
- Minimum 60% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd-year studies of a 3-year program.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest's international website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum 60% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 3rd-year studies of a 4-year program.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest's international website.
For more information
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