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Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma

Credential
Diploma

Duration
16 month(s)

The only program in Canada where you can take training that combines occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech/language audiology therapy.

Are you looking for a rewarding and challenging career? Do you want to help people, enjoy being part of a team, and generally have a positive attitude? The 16-month Rehabilitation Assistant diploma at CapU is for you.

Rehabilitation Assistants are employed in acute care, rehab hospitals and the community working as essential members of the health care team providing rehabilitation services.

In this intensive program, you'll gain the skills to help people thrive, with courses in rehabilitation principles and practices, anatomy, musculoskeletal theory, physiology, therapeutic communication, disease, injury and intervention and more.

The triple training provided in this unique program means you could provide physical, cognitive, communication or psychosocial support. Clients come from all demographics and range from newborns to the elderly.

There is also additional funding available from the Government of B.C. for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a rehabilitation assistant.

This program has been accredited by the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program (OTA & PTA EAP) in collaboration with Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). The status of Accreditation was granted to the program on November 30, 2024, for the period until November 30, 2030.

For more information about the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Education Accreditation Program, please visit the OTAPTA website.

Rehabilitation Assistant students on a practicum placement.

Three clinical practicum placements

During the RADP program, you'll put your skills to the test in three separate health care fieldwork placements, totaling 15 weeks on the job, learning alongside experienced clinicians.

Career paths

  • Audiology
  • Language therapy
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Physiotherapy assistant
  • Post-operative orthopedics
  • Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation assistant
  • Speech therapy

2025 Mixed-Mode Programs

CapU is offering two mixed-mode versions of the program for students living in Northern B.C. and Vancouver Island. These programs may accept students who live in other areas of the province if space permits. The Northern B.C. cohort starts in May 2025, with the Vancouver Island cohort starting in September 2025.

Both cohorts of this 16-month program are offered primarily online, with condensed weeks of in-person clinical skills training. For the Northern cohort, these skills sessions are two-week blocks in the second and third terms offered at CapU's North Vancouver campus. For the Vancouver Island cohort, training is at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo with 1-2 weeks per term of these in-person sessions.

Both programs offer full-time community practicum placements, ideal for anyone who wants to upgrade their skills without relocating. Contact us for more information.

Contact the Rehabilitation Assistant program

Rehabilitation Assistant student working with a client.
"It has been exciting to watch the rehabilitation assistant role develop to the point now that recruiters are in our classroom hiring all our students before they graduate. There are so many more jobs than our students can fill."
Tracy Dignum, Rehabilitation Assistant instructor

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this extensive calendar of program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Feb 4, 2025 – May 6, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Mar 3, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Apr 29, 2025

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Jun 3, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 3, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

Important dates

Applications open

Mar 11, 2025 – Aug 5, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 3, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the English language prior to admission.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, you must meet our English Language Requirements.

Basic requirements

  • High school graduation
  • English Studies 12 or English 12 or English First Peoples 12 and at least 1 science: Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, Physics 12, Chemistry 12, or successful completion of a 100-level or higher post-secondary course in Human Anatomy and/or Physiology, or Biology

Program-specific requirements

  • Attend a virtual information session and submit info session completion document
  • Resume
  • Letter of interest
  • 2 letters of reference
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 50 hrs of volunteer or paid work experience in a health or rehab context
  • Successful applicant interview
  • Conditions to be met upon acceptance: Current criminal record check, Standard First Aid & CPR level "C" certification, and a TB test

Additional information

  • Applicants assessed on the basis of an interview, academic experience, relevant work experience, individual objectives & areas of interest
  • Letter of interest - describe why you want to work in rehabilitation and why you would be an excellent candidate
  • Letters of reference - from employers or responsible persons in the community one of which must certify the completed work experience
  • Volunteer/paid work - experience with people compromised in activity or participation by disease or injury
  • To qualify for fieldwork placements, students must have a Standard First Aid & CPR level "C" certification, a TB test, and a current clear criminal record check

Current high school students

Current Grade 12 students can be conditionally accepted based on final Grade 11 grades or interim Grade 12 grades. Students can upload proof of grades (e.g. unofficial transcripts, copies of report cards) through EducationPlannerBC when applying to Capilano University. Final acceptance will be based on high school graduation and having met the program specific requirements.

Note: All B.C. applicants must release their grades to CapU via the BC Ministry of Education at Student Transcripts Services (STS). Please do this as soon as possible.

Thank you for your interest in the Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma Program! Below is information on the admission process specific to the RADP program, which starts in the Fall term each year.

  • Contact rehab@capilanou.ca to express your interest in the program. You will be sent a link to our virtual information session, along with our Information package.
  • If after viewing the session you would like to apply to the program, submit the Information session completion form to rehab@capilanou.ca to confirm you have viewed the session.
  • Complete your online application and upload your RADP supporting documents. Details and deadlines are provided in the information package.

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

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Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

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Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,621 $1,792 $6,413
Year 2 $4,621 $1,792 $6,413
Total $9,242 $3,584 $12,826

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

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Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

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The courses below reflect the current program profile. Login to myCapMap to see the program requirements for the term you started.

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Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 16.50

 

Second Term

Total credits: 15.00

 

Third Term

Total credits: 16.50

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Total program credits: 63.00

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate application of RA Frame of Reference incorporating Plan, Do, Observe & Record.
  • Demonstrate professionalism by taking responsibility for assigned tasks, using appropriate language, integrating constructive feedback and managing time efficiently.
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately with clients, clinicians/team members, peers and instructors through oral, written and/or non-verbal methods.
  • Demonstrate mastery upon completion of RA program by achieving CGPA (cumulative grade point) of B average or better in all coursework, and credit status in 3 practicum placements.
  • Acquire, demonstrate and maintain practical skills necessary to fulfill the role of a rehabilitation assistant.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Allied Health
604 984 4960
604 984 4993 (fax)
Cedar Building, room 342
rehab@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca