Education
Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
Doctorate Certificate on Aging, Centre on Aging, University of Maryland.
M.S. Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania. Recreation.
Honours, B.A. Recreation. University of Waterloo
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Singleton, PhD, CTRS is a Professor Emeritus who taught Therapeutic Recreation in the Recreation and Leisure studies department at Dalhousie University for 37 and half years. Dr. Singleton’s research is focused on Leisure, Aging and Therapeutic Recreation. He graduated with his PhD in Leisure Studies at the University of Maryland. He also completed the academic requirements for a Doctorate Certificate in Gerontology at the University of Maryland. Dr. Singleton has published approximately 100 journal articles during his career and made over 400 presentations locally, nationally and internationally, related to the area of Leisure ,Aging and Therapeutic Recreation.
Featured Publications
Skalko, T.K. & Singleton, J.F.,(2019) Recreational Therapy Assessment, Champaign
Il, Human Kinetics
Gibson, H. & Singleton, J. F. (Editors) (2012) Leisure and Aging Theory to Practice, Human Kinetics, Champaign Illinois
LeBlanc, M., Ouellette, P., & Singleton, J. (2003-2004). Un profil des diplômés en études du loisir d’une université acadienne. Leisure/Loisir, 28, 3/4,231-244.
Leadership & Professional Service
Dr. Singleton has been involved with a wide variety of professional organizations such as: Member of the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), Jan to July 2025, International Therapeutic Recreation Coalition Committee, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Association, 2015 to present, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Board Member, 2018-2021. and the Certification Task Force, Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association, (2002 to 2009).
During his academic career at Dalhousie University, he enabled the Therapeutic Recreation program to be CARTE accredited in 2019. Dr. Singleton was seconded to the University of Lethbridge in 2015 to establish a Therapeutic Recreation program, which included a distance education program; this program was also CARTE-accredited.
Professional Awards & Recognition
Dr. Singleton has been involved with a variety of professional groups and has been recognized for his contributions. He was made a Fellow of the World Demographic Association in 2006, the Distinguished Alumni Award for the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo in 2008, the Dr. Gonzaga Da Gama Memorial Award, Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association 2011, Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Science by the Society of Parks and Recreation Educators in 2011, received the Friends of Health Sciences Award Faculty of Health Science University of Lethbridge in 2018 and became a member of the Fellows of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) in 2024.