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.
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.
Why should you apply for this program?
Graduates of the joint program receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Psychology from York University and a joint York/Seneca Certificate in Rehabilitation Services from Seneca College. York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program is recognized by VRA (Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada) and CVRP (The College of Rehabilitation Professionals), as providing students with the training requirements necessary for applying for the Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) designation.
How is Rehabilitation Services different from Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy?
You’ll require a degree in Psychology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) plus certification as a Rehabilitation Services provider to practice in Ontario. Rehabilitation Services has a wider scope than Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy and includes both physiological and psychological aspects. You’ll cover topics such as personality, health psychology, the rehabilitative process, types of disability, case management and interviewing. You will also complete 800 hours of field placement over two years.
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.