School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences

1. School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences

2. Who? Jo Ragen Lecturer Course Manager School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences Cumberland Campus (Lidcombe) Phone: 9351 9807 Email: j.ragen@fhs.usyd.edu.au

3. Why am I here? LEISURE� Is serious business!

4. A Leisure Professional!� really? �Anyone can organise a game .... but Leisure Professionals get to the heart of participation �� (Stuart, 4th year Leisure & Health) �We have the ability to make leisure worthwhile and accessible to all and have people reap the benefits for life!� (Gabi, 3rd Year Leisure & Health) �Leisure contributes to a life worth living� leisure professionals make this available to everyone �� (Michelle, 3rd Year Leisure & Health)

5. This thing called Leisure Why is Leisure Important? Leisure is for Life! �Leisure activities are our tools of the trade� � (unknown author)

6. Important how? Recreation, leisure and active living are essential to personal health - a key determinant of health status! is a key to balanced human development � helping individuals to reach their personal potential are essential to quality of life Recreation and leisure reduces self-destructive and anti-social behaviors build strong families and healthy communities Pay Now or Pay Later!Recreation and leisure reduces health care, social service and police/justice costs! Recreation and leisure are significant economic generators in your community!

7. Most leisure available in our society is �MAINSTREAM� Leisure is available only with difficulty to people who are marginalised in some other way But isn't leisure available to everyone?

8. Why study leisure? This specialisation provides the skills and knowledge required to plan, manage and evaluate a range of leisure oriented programs and/or services in order for people to experience the benefits of participating in leisure, play, recreational and sporting activities. Graduates of this course will gain specific skills and knowledge in designing programs and services that will lead to better health outcomes and increased wellbeing for all participants. Leisure is an important aspect of life for people of all backgrounds.

9. What is special about this program? Situated within the Faculty of Health Sciences, this course places special emphasis on people who experience constraints to gaining the full benefits of participating in leisure Students gain hands-on experience by working extensively with a variety of client groups, side by side with practicing professionals and in community placements. The teaching team is engaged in research that is woven throughout the course. Students have opportunities to engage in practical research. Industry partnerships are integral to the learning environment.

10. Who do we work with? Leisure Professionals will work with all people People with disabilities Elderly people People with a mental illness People with acquired injury Children Youth Corporate Groups Prisoners Carers

11. Where do we work? Children's Centres Community Centres Environmental/ outdoor education Detention Centres Residential Units Aged care Units Resorts Lifestyle Centres Health Promotion Hospitals Leisure Centres Palliative Care Units Rehabilitation Centres Day Centres Jails/Correctional facilities Councils

12. No single professional title Leisure coordinator Recreational activities officer Program coordinator Diversional therapist Activities officer Therapeutic recreation officer Play Therapist Activities therapist Disability support officer Activities coordinator Community support worker Recreation Therapist Events coordinator Etc. etc. etc.

13. Emerging trends Increasing emphasis on: Corporate Leisure Private Practice Packaged �quick fix� leisure Global leisure

14. Professional Recognition Graduates are eligible to join many professional organisations. These include: The Diversional Therapy Association Australia Parks and Leisure Australia The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Research The World Leisure Association The Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies

15. What we get paid Salaries vary greatly in students� first jobs Public health or not-for-profit organisations anywhere between but not limited to: $25,000 to $45,000 Corporate sector $45,000 - $65,000 Private practice/specialist consultancy $50 - $250 /hour

16. How do you get into Leisure & health? Via UAI (or equivalent) Via TERTIARY RECORD If you have successfully completed a minimum of 1 year of a degree. Applications based on 50% UAI & 50% GPA Via SPECIAL ADMISSIONS Flexible Entry Scheme Multicultural Scheme Vocational Entry Scheme Limited TER, TPC (Mature Age)

17. Study requirements UAI for 2004: 78.10 3 years pass/ 4 years honors Approx. 40 hours a week study time � which includes approx. 16 hours a week face to face. Between 8 � 5 typically over a 4 day timetable.

18. Major Studies Healthcare Delivery Systems Introduction to leisure and health Body functions and disease Clients groups Clients, practitioners and organisations Contemporary issues in biomedical sciences Contemporary issues in healthcare Creative arts in recreation Health and research: design & analysis Health sociology Health, illness and social inquiry Human biology and biochemistry Learning processes and leisure education Leisure and health Leisure practice through the lifecycle Maladaptive behaviours and behavioural change Management and leadership Outdoor recreation and education Professional communication and guidance Program design and evaluation Programming through the lifecycle Social psychology of leisure and play Professional practice 1, 2, 3

19. Professional Practice Experience Thirteen weeks of Field Experience in the course gives students experience working with different client groups in a range of settings. Students in their first year plan, implement and evaluate a major community event. This is conducted with an industry partner as a group project. Programs of placement in second year might include experiences with youth at risk, aged people in a hostel, young people with disabilities, program co-ordinator in a government department or working with people with a mental illness. Students in their third year will conduct a major project with an industry partner. This is most often designed around career choice and provides a unique opportunity for specialised skill development which often leads to employment options.

20. Further studies THE SCHOOL OFFERS GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN: MASTERS PROGRAMS Coursework & Research DOCTORAL PROGRAMS PhD & Professional doctorate

21. For more information School of Occupation and Leisure SciencesFaculty of Health SciencesThe University of SydneyPO Box 170 LIDCOMBE NSW 1825 AUSTRALIA Phone: 9351 9373 http://www.ot.fhs.usyd.edu.au