Why should you apply for this program?

Fulfilling requirements for registration with professional organizations

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.

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.

Program Structure

• The York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program involves the equivalent of either four years of study for a B.A./B.Sc. degree or five years for an Honours B.A./B.Sc. degree. Students are enrolled in the joint program for two years.
• During this period of two years, the equivalent of four full-year York University courses and five full year Seneca courses  are completed. (All courses are offered at the Keele St. campus.)
• Students in the YSR Program must complete the following York University courses:
• PSYC 2130 3.0 Personality
• PSYC 2230 3.0 Motivation
• PSYC 3140 3.0 Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 3170 3.0 Health Psychology
• PSYC 4030 6.0 Behaviour Modification and Behaviour Therapy
• PSYC 4060 6.0 Counselling Psychology
• Students must also complete required courses at Seneca Polytechnic.
• In addition to the above, students also complete two full-year fieldwork courses (a total of 800 hours of supervised fieldwork training) in each of the three major domains of rehabilitation: physical, emotional and developmental.
  • The Seneca Polytechnic Fieldwork Supervisor facilitates fieldwork placements, supervises and evaluates students’ activities.

Please note that, if you are taking courses at York University and Seneca Polytechnic, the total credit load will be between 33 and 36 credits for the year, which makes you eligible for OSAP.

Admission Requirements

While students in Psychology and Kinesiology are particularly encouraged to apply, students from all York University degree programs are eligible for this program if they have a minor in Psychology and appropriate volunteer/work experience.

In order to apply, you must have the following:

• Completed 60 credits including  HH/PSYC 1010 6.0 towards a B.A./B.Sc. degree
  OR

Completed 90 credits including  HH/PSYC 1010 6.0 towards an Honours B.A./B.Sc. degree.

• Completed:
  • Introduction to Psychology.
  • Completed General Education requirements of York University.

• Be in good academic and financial standing with York University.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 5.0 or C+ (equivalent to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale/~65-69%).

Previous work or volunteer experience in the field of rehabilitation is recommended but not required.

A vulnerable sector check will be required prior to beginning field placements.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the following  YSR Application Form 

The YSR Application Form will require the following:

• Full name and contact information
• Information regarding your degree current program
• Your consent to access your York University transcript
• An up-to-date resume or CV that clearly outlines your:
  • Work history
  • Relevant volunteer experience
  • Professional and career goals related to rehabilitation
• You may also choose to provide contact information for anyone who can provide an academic or professional reference (e.g., a professor, TA, work/volunteer supervisor)   

Contact Us:

Please reach out to us if you have any questions about the program.

YSR Program Administration:

Location: 291 BSB, Keele Campus
Phone: 416-736-5117
Email: ysrehab@yorku.ca

YSR Program Coordinator (York University)

Achala Rodrigo

YSR Program Coordinator (Seneca Polytechnic)

Yasmeen Syed

Seneca Polytechnic - YSRS program