COURSE CURRICULUM

The Recreation and Health Education program at the University of Victoria is a structured, practice-based degree that combines health science, recreation management, leadership, and community engagement over four years. In Year 1, students build foundational knowledge through courses in academic writing, human anatomy, physical activity, psychology, physiology, and physical literacy, along with activity courses, electives, and an early work term experience. Year 2 focuses on developing applied skills in recreation and health, including leadership methods, exercise prescription, program planning, group fitness, sociology, technical communication, and Canadian recreation systems, supported by another work term. In Year 3, students move into advanced study with courses in outdoor recreation, health education for children and youth, community and population health, recreation management, and administrative systems, combined with business-related electives and additional work experience. Year 4 emphasizes professional preparation, including interpersonal communication, facility administration, event management, marketing for social change, and adaptive physical activity, along with upper-level electives and final work experience. Across all years, students gain hands-on experience through repeated work terms that connect academic learning with real-world practice. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers in recreation management, health promotion, wellness leadership, and community programming by combining theory, applied skills, and extensive experiential learning in diverse professional settings.