FAQs

In order to become a student member you must be a full time student (3 or more credited courses) and you must be enrolled in a degree or diploma program in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation/Leisure Studies at an accredited university or college.

A student membership costs $50.00. This must be renewed annually.

ATRA represents Recreation Therapy professionals, educators and students throughout the province of Alberta by:

• Providing networking opportunities for TR professionals, educators and students through regional, provincial and national events

• Sponsoring workshops, annual symposiums, National TR Week and educational scholarships (undergraduate and graduate scholarships)

• Providing professional development, research & education opportunities

• Publishing the ATRAbute, a regular publication with relevant TR & professional issues

• Establishing and improving consistent standards of practice for TR professionals

• Promoting TR and ATRA through events and promotional materials

• Communicating a consistent message for Therapeutic Recreation across the province

You may apply at any point in the year. Our membership application process is on going and are continually being accepted.

Once you become a student member, your membership year is from May 1 – April 30 the following year. If you applied for membership mid year, your membership is valid until April 30th at which time you will need to renew your membership by May 1st. ATRA sends out notices to each member to remind members to renew their membership each year.

Complete the “Membership Application Form” found on the ATRA website within the “Become a Member” section within the “Application for Membership” tab. Download the application form.

Note that the application is a two‐page form. Applicants for Student Membership must complete page one of the application and return it, with fees and a copy of your student identification card, to the ATRA office.

Yes. As of May 01, 2011, all new graduates who are applying for ATRA Professional Membership must complete 320 hours within a Therapeutic Recreation internship/placement/practicum. A minimum of 250 hours of this placement must have a clinical component and be completed under the supervision of a Recreation Therapist who is registered with their provincial association. To be considered a clinical placement the student’s role must include conducting clinical activities (i.e. assessment, treatment interventions etc.) while maintaining a client caseload at a clinical placement site. A clinical placement site is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, Long Term Care, assisted living, rehab, and/or acute care facilities or under the direction of a private Recreation Therapist.

There are several ways in which this can occur. Your practicum/internship supervisor, your educational institution, your personal contacts (i.e. work with or volunteered with a registered Recreation Therapist), or you may take the initiative to research potential opportunities within your field(s) of interest.

Yes. However, the practicum/internship must meet the criteria listed above regarding completion of a practicum/internship as part of your post‐secondary studies.

No. Please note that Student Members will be required to meet all professional membership criteria in effect at the time of application for professional membership. Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions under “Become a Member” section in the ATRA website for further information.

No. We honor that you have paid your dues with the $50.00 and we waive the $300.00 for your first year. You will be provided ATRA Professional status if your Professional Membership application is approved by the Membership Committee. Please refer to the “Become a Member” section of the website. The process to become a Professional Member is outlined in detail there.