Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation

(Faculty of Medicine)

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (CRDS) is a dynamic program examining the economic, social, and political forces that serve to marginalize people. CRDS students learn to design, deliver, and evaluate community-based support services, and how to form alliances that promote full participation in the community.

Students can choose courses that allow them to specialize in areas focusing upon career development, aging, brain injury, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, physical disability, vocational evaluation, inclusive education, mental health, and working with seniors, to name a few. Students specialize by selecting appropriate electives and by completing projects and practice in their areas of interest.

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Admission Requirements

Application/Document Deadlines

There are three routes within the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation program:

1. 4-year interdisciplinary degree route;
2. 2-year post-diploma route;
3. 2-year post-degree route.

Students may apply for admission to either year one of the interdisciplinary degree route, or year three of the post-diploma or post-degree routes. All applicants must complete the BCR statement

Year One

For information regarding requirements to the 4 year interdisciplinary degree route see Admission Requirements.

Year Three

To qualify for admission to the post-diploma or post-degree routes, the applicant must: Present satisfactory matriculation standing in English 30 as well as all of the requirements listed in one of category (a), (b), or (c):

• (a) A Diploma Program

  (i) An Approved Community College Rehabilitation Diploma, or

  (ii) Other Post Rehabilitation or Related Diploma - Holders of related community college diplomas with three years of experience in human services may be considered for admission. Previous education and experience will be considered only after evaluation and recommendation by a community college offering an approved program.

  All applicants must present a half-course equivalent human sciences. The human sciences course may be complete prior to or subsequent to admission, and will not be included in the ten full courses required in the post diploma program. Depending on the diploma, additional requisite courses may be required.

• (b) An Approved Degree

  Applicant must present coursework related to human services, disability and individual intervention or equivalent experience in human services. Approved degree holders who cannot present coursework or equivalent experience as described above, must complete Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, Applied Psychology 419, Community Rehabilitation 471*, 485, and a half-course equivalent human science as requisites. Requisites may be completed prior to or subsequent to admission and, with the exception of Community Rehabilitation 471, will be in addition to the ten full-course equivalents required in the program.

  *May be included for credit in program as a senior rehabilitation option.

• (c) Non-Degree/Non-Diploma Holders

  Applicants will be required to present ten full-course equivalents which must include Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, Applied Psychology 419, Community Rehabilitation 471, 485, 487, or their equivalents, and a half-course human sciences. The remaining six full-course open options must include two full-course equivalents at the senior level.

Why Study Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies?

The CRDS program is particularly suited to students who:

• like working with others to make a difference;
• enjoy learning by doing, and by becoming involved with current issues;
• have a personal interest in, or experience of, the lives of people with disabilities or ongoing health concerns;
• believe there are always other ways to meet challenges faced by people and communities;
• enjoy working with people from different backgrounds, professions, and perspectives;
• are curious about and active in issues of justice, autonomy and personal empowerment;
• are willing to engage in education that challenges personal beliefs and practices - and is often beyond the basic requirements of the classroom.

What Can I Do with My Degree?

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR) graduates tend to be employed as specialists in the health, education, and business sectors, in voluntary agencies, and in government services. An increasing number operate their own small businesses offering customized supports and services. While many work with young children and their families, or seniors, the majority work with adolescents and adults. Graduates often begin by offering direct services. Their skills in planning, service design, and advocacy allow them to take up leadership positions in the service sector and the community.

Opportunities may include the following:

• inclusive community supports and services
• services for children with disabilities
• inclusive education
• vocational rehabilitation and counselling
• community health supports
• human service business ventures
• medical rehabilitation and clinical practice

U of C Curriculum Features

The curriculum fosters opportunities to develop a coherent range of knowledge and abilities in inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication - the essential competencies and lifelong learning skills associated with graduates of a quality researchuniversity.

Interdisciplinary component
The BCR offers students the opportunity to work alongside students from other faculties through options in areas such as psychology, biology, women's studies, and social work. CRDS now also offers a joint degree with psychology, as well as a minor designed for kinesiology students. Past projects have allowed CRDS to partner with faculties such as Nursing, Environmental Design and Engineering. CRDS has also co-taught courses with universities such as Concordia and the University of Toronto. Close affiliations with other educational institutions have also resulted in regional campuses at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton and Douglas College in Vancouver.

International component
CRDS supports international-student exchanges and joint courses with universities in Australia, England, Mexico, and the U.S. CRDS is currently involved in international research and social-development projects in countries such as Russia. Electives covering international topics are also offered to students. In addition, CRDS faculty are instrumental in publishing an international e-journal, The International Journal of Disability and Community Rehabilitation (IJDCR).

Experiential learning
Each undergraduate student completes approximately 600 hours of practical supervised field education. The CRDS program has partnerships with over 250 practicum sites, enabling students to work with individuals and groups to supervise staff, conduct research, and complete projects.

Faculty-student interaction
CRDS students are prepared for independent thought and action through intensive interactions with professionals, persons with disabilities, and faculty, both in and out of the classroom. Experts in this field involve students in ongoing or emerging issues. Moreover, the CRDS Student Association is a voting member of the weekly faculty and staff meetings and the CRDS Program Council. CRDS also offers a career registry, annual career fairs, references, and recommendations for its students, as well as directing them towards employment opportunities.

Integration of research
Students learn about many traditions of community-based social sciences that are compatible with applied community programs. By fostering reflective practice and critical thinking, CRDS encourages learners to pose questions relating theory to research and practice. The program also participates in information networks linking researchers, academics, practitioners, and families. In their senior-project course, students conduct research in partnership with local agencies and consumers.

Related Programs at the University of Calgary
Social Work (SW)
Psychology (SS)
Sociology (SS)
Nursing (N)
Athletic Therapy (KN)

For descriptions of the following courses and information on direct entry to the BCR please refer to the current University Calendar.

If you are planning on applying to the third year of BCR, you willrequire either an approved diploma or two years of university study, inany faculty, and these prerequisites:

CORE 205
History and Systems in Community Rehabilitation
CORE 207
Approaches to Community Rehabilitation
CORE 209
Disability in Theory and Everyday Life
CORE 485
Introduction to Community Rehabilitation Practice and Professional
Conduct I
CORE 487
Introduction to Community Rehabilitation Practice and Professional
Conduct II
APSY 419
Communication Skills in Guidance and Counselling
One Introductory Human Science e.g. BIOL 205, ANTH 201, GEOG 203

Additional Information

Department of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies