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York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program

Program Description

Established in 1981, the York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program is the only program of its kind in Canada. This program is offered jointly by York University and Seneca Polytechnic. This program prepares students to work in a variety of rehabilitation fields by integrating academic training in health sciences and practical field experience.

Graduates receive a B.A./B.Sc. degree or Honours B.A./B.Sc. degree from York University and a joint York University/Seneca Polytechnic Certificate in Rehabilitation Services (which includes 800 hours of supervised fieldwork).

This program is recognized by VRA (Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada) and CVRP (The College of Rehabilitation Professionals), professional regulatory bodies in Vocational Rehabilitation.

Why should you apply for this program?

Our program is recognized by the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) as providing students with the training requirements necessary for applying for the Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) designation.

The goal of rehabilitation is to help a person recovering from illness or injury to regain optimal functionality and to become as independent as possible despite his or her disabilities. Rehabilitation also aims to teach strategies for ongoing disabilities and addresses the medical, physical, psychological, social, spiritual, vocational and economical aspects of patients and their families

A rewarding career in Vocational Rehabilitation

This program prepares students for a career in vocational rehabilitation. Broadly speaking, rehabilitation constitutes enabling persons with disabilities (physical, emotional or developmental) to reach an optimal level of functioning. It also facilitates individuals’ sense of independence and empowerment, as well as improvement in their overall quality of life. Therefore, a career in rehabilitation is both rewarding and meaningful, and often allows you to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of health care and other vocational professionals.

Diverse job opportunities

Graduates of this program are qualified to work with persons having physical, emotional and developmental disabilities. There are numerous organizations and agencies providing services to people with disabilities.

Examples of organizations concerned with rehabilitation include:

  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Community and Social Services
  • Ministry of Correctional Services
  • Society for Goodwill Services
  • Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • Jewish Vocational Services
  • March of Dimes
  • Most major insurance companies

Rehabilitation facilities and agencies employ graduates of the program in life skill or recreational capacities, as work supervisors and evaluators, job placement specialists, intake interviewers, vocational counsellors, case managers and coordinators, etc.

Our students are in high demand for their knowledge and experience.