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Community Engaged Learning in Disability and Physical Activity (DIPA)

About DIPA

Community-engaged learning in  Disability and Physical Activity (DIPA) is offered through a collaboration between the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies and Revved Up , an exercise program for persons experiencing disability.   The goal of the Revved Up program is to provide world-class, community-based exercise programming that fosters healthy living and quality of life among people living with mobility impairment and/or developmental disability.  Students will be on the front lines helping to make this goal a reality. MORE OPTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2026! * 

*Proposed new structure is pending approval from the University 

Primarily located in the SKHS, and in a satellite location at Providence Care Hospital, students learn about and participate in community-based programming for persons with disabilities.  Students in will get an opportunity to work closely with persons from a variety of special populations.  If you are considering a career in healthcare or working with persons with a disability, you will gain valuable experience in addition to academic skills.  In addition, students will:

  • Strengthen communication and leadership skills
  • Develop a deeper understanding of what it means for people to live with a disability/chronic disease
  • Develop exercise prescription skills with a focus on considerations for people with a disability, and perform program reassessments on Revved Up participants. (The practical component has been designed so that students will achieve 3 of the 6 core competencies necessary to pursue the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology’s Certified Personal Training designation, which students may elect to pursue upon their completion of the community engaged learning experience)

Admission Requirements:

  • Level 2 or above and a minimum GPA of 2.70

New for 2026

Required Courses:

  • HTLH 210 (new course - in development) * tuition + course based fees
  • HLTH 200/3.0 or KNPE 255/3.0
  • HLTH 332/3.0 
  • KNPE 336/386/3.0 *tuition + course based fees
  • KNPE 436/486/3.0 *tuition + course based fees

Community Engaged Learning in DIPA Options

1. In-degree option 

  • Complete 5 courses within your degree plan 
  • Includes courses HLTH 210 (new course!), HLTH 200 or KNPE 255, HTLH 332, KNPE 336/386 and KNPE 436/486* 
  • Receive a record of completion of 200 practicum hours. Receive community engagement hours. 

 Benefits of within degree 

  • More practicum hours 

  • HLTH 210 

    • 40 hrs of practicum – get experience earlier in your degree 

    • Test out the experience, see if you want to continue with community engaged learning   

    • Develop professional skills for interactions with clients, patients, community members 

  • Complete courses within degree, no need to do additional courses 

  Recognition 

  • Multiple options will be available including but not limited to: Letter of completion, Community Engagement Record. 

* Approximate total cost: $2 500 (total of course-based fees for HLTH 210, KNPE 386, KNPE 486)

 

2. Certificate option  

  • 5 courses, 3 courses over and above your degree plan, 2 courses double count 
  • Includes courses HLTH 210, HLTH 200 or KNPE 255, HLTH 332, KNPE 336/386 and KNPE 436/486

Recognition

  • DIPA certificate noted on your transcript, letter of completion, Community Engagement Record 

*Approximate total cost: $4 400 (total of course-based fees for HLTH 210, KNPE 386, KNPE 486 + tuition for the 3 additional courses outside degree plan)

 

HOW TO APPLY

Community-Engaged Learning in DIPA In-degree Program

The Community-engaged learning in DIPA  in-degree program will open for new applications to students from all degree plans in May 2026. This website will be updated with instructions on application to the in-degree program in spring 2026. Stay tuned!

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Community-Engaged Learning in DIPA Certificate Program

The Community-engaged learning in DIPA Certificate program will open for new applications to all on-campus Faculty of Arts and Science students at Queen’s during the Plan Selection period (May 2026...specific dates pending). Please e-mail  asc.studentservices@queensu.ca with a request to apply for the DIPA certificate (no statement of experience or resume are required to apply). There are a defined number of spaces available for the Certificate. Students will be notified of their application status in June 2026.

  • Late applications will not be considered.

FOR ON-CAMPUS NON-FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE STUDENTS (HEALTH SCIENCES, APPLIED SCIENCE, COMMERCE, NURSING)

The Community-engaged learning in DIPA Certificate program will open to on-campus non-Faculty of Arts and Science students (Applied Science, Commerce, and Nursing) at Queen’s in early 2026. Please submit applications through Undergraduate Admissions by April 1, 2026 by going to:  https://queensu.my.site.com/apply/

Application fees will apply through Queen’s Admissions.

  • Late applications will not be considered.

Queen’s Certificate awarded and noted on student transcript

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Students must have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.7 AND have level 2 standing to apply. Please note there are a limited number of spots.  Although 2.7 is the minimum Cumulative GPA to be eligible, admission cut-offs may be higher.

Placement Requirements for KNPE 336/386 (Community Field Placement in Disability and Physical Activity) and KNPE 436/486 (Advanced Placement in Disability and Physical Activity):

  1.  Maintain a valid Canadian Police Information Check (CPIC) with vulnerable sector screening and Standard First Aid/CPR-C certification;
  2. Complete mandatory online and in-person training (full day) in advance of placement hours beginning in KNPE 336/386 and KNPE 436/486. The training for each course will be confirmed in advance of term and will take place during the first week, outside of class time; 
  3. Earn a minimum grade of a B in each of their internship placement and practical reassessment test components of KNPE 336/386, and obtain permission of the course coordinator, in order to progress to KNPE436/486.

Notes:

  • KNPE 336/386 and KNPE 436/486 are offered in the fall, winter and summer terms. There is a defined enrollment for both courses each term. When a student can access KNPE 336/386 will determine sequencing for KNPE 436/486.

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