Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Established in 1981, the York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate program is the only one of its kind in Canada. This program is offered jointly by York University and Seneca Polytechnic. It prepares students to become rehabilitation counsellors by integrating academic training in health sciences, psychology, and practical field experience. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at York and currently completing their second-last year of their degree program. Graduates receive a B.A./B.Sc. Degree or Honours B.A./B.Sc. Degree from York University and a joint York/Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate.
This program is integrative in nature, combining theoretical and applied training experience. York University courses (e.g., Psychology of Counselling, Behaviour Modification and Behaviour Therapy and Sociology of Health and Health Care) provide a broad and necessary foundation for professional counselling. Seneca courses compliment the York University courses by integrating theory and practical experiences that enable students to acquire specific job skills that are required in the field of rehabilitation. Fieldwork occurs concurrently with classroom instruction, thus permitting students to test and integrate theory with professional practice.
The joint Degree/Certificate program involves the equivalent of either four years of study for a B.A./B.Sc. or five years for an Honours B.A./B.Sc. Degree. During the two years of the York/Seneca program, the equivalent of five full-year York courses and five full-year Seneca courses are taken. In addition to in-class academic instruction, students are required to complete two full-year fieldwork courses involving a total of 800 hours of supervised fieldwork training in each of the three major domains of rehabilitation: physical, emotional and developmental. The Seneca Fieldwork supervisor facilitates fieldwork placements and supervises and evaluates students' activities in the various placement settings.
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, and March of Dimes, as well as 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.
Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at York University and currently completing their second-last year of their degree program. You must apply no later than the Second Monday of March of your second last year of your B.A./B.Sc. program (i.e., second or third year in a B.A./B.Sc. Degree or Honours B.A./B.Sc. Degree respectively). In order to be eligible to apply you must have:
Applications are available online at:
York-Seneca Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program
In order to be considered for admission, you must submit a complete application (i.e., application form, official transcripts and two letters of recommendation) no later than the second Monday in March. Complete applications received by the deadline will be rank-ordered according to academic standing and previous experience in the field of rehabilitation. Applicants may be interviewed by York and Seneca Coordinators.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
This course provides a general introduction to the field of rehabilitation placing emphasis on its historical and philosophical underpinnings. Students will explore various trends in rehabilitation practices, policies and principles within the context of past and present political climates. The rehabilitation process and the role for advocacy and consumerism will also be discussed.
This course familiarizes students with the knowledge of particular body systems and provides students with a basic understanding of a variety of disabilities and abnormalities including diabetes, GI tract disorders, renal system disorders and cardiac and respiratory abnormalities. The major focus is on chronic disorders which result in long-term lifestyle problems and adjustments for clients and their families. The physical, psycho-social and vocational implications of the disorders are examined.
First year courses
Fieldwork requirements consist of 400 hours of field placement per year. Students attend their field placement two days per week. Field placement and in-class instruction allow students to integrate theory with professional practice.
This course provides participants with counselling and interviewing skills at a basic level of competency. Students are assisted in identifying what they can do in an interview situation and what additional skills can be developed. Concepts which are taught can be practiced during the field work placement.
This course provides an overview of community resources available to people working in the rehabilitation field, and teaches skills for the effective use of these resources. It is a practical course designed to be of use to students in their daily work with their clients.
This course provides experience modelled on the life skills philosophy of group work and intervention, stressing interpersonal skills as a means of problem-solving. In a rehabilitation setting during field placement, students integrate theory and practice with group leadership, personal self-management, problem-solving and on-the-job effectiveness.
This course will discuss various theories of assessment in the field of rehabilitation. Students will be introduced to assessment terminology and the administration, application and interpretation of evaluation tools. Biases and ethics in testing will also be reviewed.
This course is designed to introduce the students to general ethical principles and guidelines. Students will learn how to effectively approach and professionally manage ethical dilemmas faced within the field of rehabilitation.
This course provides students with an appreciation of the general social and economic milieu which has given rise to social policies and practices in Canada. Historical background and cross-cultural data is introduced to place this course in perspective.
First year courses including FWK901
Fieldwork requirements consist of 400 hours of field placement per year. Students attend their field placement two days per week. Field placement and in-class instruction allow students to integrate theory with professional practice.
Elements of the rehabilitation process are explored including referral, the initial interview, assessment, training, placement and follow-up. In addition the essential skills required at each stage of the process are taught.
This course provides students with basic knowledge in the areas of endocrinology and neurology. It familiarizes students with various endocrinological disorders such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease as well as neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis and learning disabilities. The major focus is on chronic disorders which result in long-term lifestyle problems and adjustments for clients and their families. The physical, psycho-social and vocational implications of the disorder are examined.
Note: In addition to completing the above courses, students must also fulfill their specific degree requirements (for a detailed description of specific degree requirements, please refer to the York Undergraduate Program Calendar).
Students are required to register and pay for York courses at York University and for Seneca courses at Seneca Polytechnic. Students are also required to register and pay for Fieldwork courses at Seneca Polytechnic.
To provide an integrated educational program enabling eligible individuals to acquire the skills to become effective practitioners within the field of rehabilitation
Rehabilitation:
| YEAR 1 | York University | Seneca Polytechnic |
|---|---|---|
| Personality
HH/PSYC 2130 3.0 |
Introduction to rehabilitation
YSR828 |
|
| Abnormal Psychology
HH/PSYC 3140 3.0 |
Physical Disabilities (Part I)
YSR819 |
|
| Motivation
HH/PSYC 2230 3.0 |
Rehabilitation Fieldwork
FWK901 (2 days per week/2 semesters - 400 hours) |
|
| Health Psychology
HH/PSYCH 3170 3.0 |
Rehabilitation Counselling
YSR817 |
|
| Community Resources
YSR826 |
||
| YEAR 2 | Behaviour Modification & Behaviour Therapy
HH/PSYC 4030 6.0 |
Assessment Approaches in Rehabilitation
YSR827 |
| Psychology of Counselling
HH/PSYC 4060 6.0 |
Ethics and Professionalism
YSR829 |
|
| Canadian Social Policy Evolution
YSR823 |
||
| Rehabilitation Fieldwork
FWK902 (2 days per week/2semesters - 400 hours) |
||
| Life Skills Coaching
YSR901 |
||
| The Rehabilitation Process
YSR825 |
||
| Physical Disabilities (Part II)
YSR820 |
||
YSR Academic Program Schedule
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fall |
Winter |
Fall |
Winter |
|
YSR828 - Intro to
|
YSR819 - Physical
|
YSR827 - Assessment
|
YSR823 - Canadian
|
|
YSR826 - Community
|
YSR817 - Rehabilitation
|
YSR825 - The
|
YSR829 - Ethics
|
|
YSR901 - Life
|
YSR820 - Physical
|
||
|
FWK901 -
|
FWK902 -
|
||
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Annie Kirkham
Program Assistant
Annie.Kirkham@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0985
Yasmeen Syed
Academic Program Manager
Yasmeen.Syed@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0965
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.