- Program Length2 Years
- CredentialDiploma
Do you have passion for healthy, active lifestyles and a desire to shape those interests into a rewarding career? VIU’s Recreation and Sport Management program can help you launch a career in the growing sport, recreation, health and wellness industries.
In the program, your learning will benefit from hands-on exploration under the guidance of instructors who care about your success. Take your learning deeper with paid internships and small classes, where you will work closely with other students and your instructors on meaningful community projects.
Graduates find a wide variety of careers focused on building positivity and confidence around sport and community for people of all ages. Explore the Recreation and Sport Management Program Website (link below) to learn more about careers.
The Recreation and Sport Management Diploma Program
This program is offered as a mandatory Co-operative Education format with four academic semesters and two paid Co-op placements.
The focus of this diploma program is on the provision of recreation and sport services and products in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors within communities. The program assesses the impact of recreation and sport and the environment in order to plan and develop healthy communities. Features of the program include the provision of applied skills and knowledge, direct leadership experience, a co-operative education model (paid employment), and small class sizes.
The program prepares students for career entry; however, students interested in further studies can apply to the third year of VIU’s Bachelor of Tourism Management, Major in Recreation.
|
Year 1 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
RMGT 100 - (Introduction to Recreation) |
3 |
|
RMGT 101 - (Marketing Recreation Experiences) |
3 |
|
RMGT 110 - (Co-operative Education Preparation) |
1 |
|
RMGT 150 - (Information & Communication Technologies in Recreation) |
3 |
|
RMGT 153 - (Diversity and Inclusion in Recreation) |
3 |
|
RMGT 126 - (Risk Management and Legal Liability in Recreation) |
3 |
|
RMGT 161 - (Organizing and Leading Recreation Activities) |
3 |
|
RMGT 190 - (Program Planning I) |
3 |
|
ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) |
3 |
|
ACCT 101 - (Accounting for Non-Financial Managers) |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
31 |
|
Intersession |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
RMGT 109 - (Co-op Education Work Placement I) |
9 |
|
Year 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
RMGT 230 - (Leisure Across the Lifespan) |
3 |
|
RMGT 259 - (Sustainability in Recreation) |
1 |
|
RMGT 290 - (Program Planning II) |
3 |
|
RMGT 220 - (Recreation Places and Spaces) |
3 |
|
RMGT 251 - (Assessment and Evaluation Methods in Recreation) |
3 |
|
RMGT 205 - (Recreation Administration) |
3 |
|
RMGT 210 - (Co-operative Education Preparation) |
3 |
|
ENGL 204 - (Business and Technical Writing) |
3 |
|
Three Electives |
9 |
|
Total Credits |
31 |
|
Intersession |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
RMGT 209 - (Co-operative Education Work Placement II) |
9 |
Further Studies
The program prepares students for career entry; however, students interested in further studies can apply to the third year of VIU's Bachelor of Tourism Management.
Completion Requirements
Students must maintain a GPA of 2.33 (C+) in order to qualify for work placement activities.
Students must maintain an average "C+" grade and must perform satisfactorily in work placement activities in order to graduate.
- General admission requirements apply.
- Official transcript of grades from high school (and post-secondary institutions where applicable).
Recommendation for Admission
- History of leadership, active involvement in recreation and sport pursuits, and experience working with people of varying ages and interests.
Notes on Admission
- Fieldwork may require a criminal record check prior to placement.
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
- All new students must participate in a compulsory orientation held early in the Fall semester.
The administration of recreation and sport services is a challenging career in this increasingly leisure-oriented society. Dynamic and innovative people are needed to plan, organize, and supervise recreation experiences in a variety of settings. Graduates have found employment in the following areas:
- Agencies, such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the YM/YWCA, Sport B.C.
- Public Recreation and Sport Management, including parks and recreation departments in municipalities and regional districts, community schools, recreation associations, and public recreation and sport facilities.
- Outdoor Recreation, providing camping, wilderness experiences, risk recreation and sport, and environmental education. Parks involvement is also possible.
- Commercial Enterprises, such as fitness centres, racquetball complexes, and retail outlets.
- Inclusive Leisure, involving the provision of recreation to those with special needs, such as individuals who are disabled and disadvantaged in institutions or in the community.
- Tourism, including destination resorts, theme parks, tourist bureaus, and special events and festivals.
Co-operative Education
Under the Co-operative Education format, formal supervised work terms are integrated into the total curriculum on a paid basis. Students will benefit from the experience by:
- relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
- developing a clearer career focus;
- gaining valuable practical experience;
- being able to finance a larger portion of their education.
Access to Co-operative Education placements is based on students’ GPA (minimum of 2.33 (“C+”) is required) and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and Co-operative Education staff to find appropriate placements.
Students in Co-operative Education work terms pay a fee, which is due during the second month of each work term.
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (31 credits x $166.40 per credit) |
5,158.40 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) |
206.34 |
|
Student Services fee (31 credits x $7.35 per credit) |
227.85 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) |
331.20 |
|
Co-op Fee ($722.68 per term) |
722.68 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year |
1,800.00 |
|
Total |
8,711.47 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester) |
23,993.10 |
|
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) |
926.80 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) |
331.20 |
|
Co-op fee ($2399.31 per term) |
2,399.31 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year |
1,800.00 |
|
Total |
29,715.41 |
Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
UpdatedDomestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 |
Oct 1, 2024 to Jul 30, 2025
|
||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)
Application Fee
$45.16
Admissions Assistant
Name: Melanie Cousins Chair Contact
Name: Amanda Johnson Comments
|
|||
International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 |
Oct 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025
|
||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)
Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
No
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant
Name: Melanie Cousins Chair Contact
Name: Amanda Johnson International Admissions Officer Contact
Email: Study@viu.ca Comments
Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program. For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
|||
Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
This is a limited entry program. There is a possibility qualified applicants may be waitlisted.