About Us

The need for a school to train occupational and physical therapists at UBC was great at the time as the majority of occupational therapists practicing in Canada were foreign trained. In 1955, for example, there were 150 physical therapists practicing in BC, of which only 32 were trained in Canada. 

In the School’s beginning, students were required to complete one year of university (or equivalent) to be allowed entry into the 3-year certificate program. Two of these years were academic in nature, while one year was a supervised rotating internship. Students who graduated at this time were granted a Certificate Course in Physical Medicine Therapy (which combined both physio and occupational therapy). 

1962 saw the School begin to evolve into a full degree, 4-year program (3 year diploma with an optional “degree year”) that was solidified in 1969. By 1970, graduates of the School were granted a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine (B.S.R). 

Since its beginnings, the School has undergone many significant changes with some noteworthy moments in history. In 1976, the School was one of three used as a pilot study to develop C.P.A accreditation criteria. 1977 saw the School acquire 4,000 square feet of space in the Extended Care Unit (located in what is now the Instructional Resources Centre). Margaret Hood, who was the first instructor of occupational therapy at UBC, became director of the School in 1978. In June of 1979, the School moved to its present location, the 3^rd floor of the UBC Hospital. By 1992, the School had changed its name to the School of Rehabilitation ‘Sciences’. 

Make a difference to our research and to individual students by including the Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy department in your giving plans.

• Prepare a legacy
• Create a scholarship
• Donate to a fund

Explore the ways you can benefit the department

Our faculty and staff work cohesively as a team to achieve excellence in our teaching and research.

All our postings, including for faculty, staff and research positions, are posted on the UBC Careers website. Vacancies, when available, are also posted below, and you can follow us on Twitter for the latest updates.

• Recruitment for our new Lecturer – Vancouver site
  To join our dynamic teaching team, apply to be a Lecturer at our Vancouver site. Applications accepted from April 15, 2025 until the position is filled.
• Date extension: Recruitment for our new Assistant Professor (tenure track) – Surrey site
  Join our dynamic faculty team, and be our new Assistant Professor at our Surrey site. Applications accepted until December 30, 2024.
• Recruiting: Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) or Associate Professor (Tenure)
  We have an exciting opportunity available in partnership with the School of Biomedical Engineering.
• Become an instructor in our Rehabilitation Science Online Programs
  We are seeking experienced Course Instructors with a passion for rehabilitation science leadership and practice.
• Recruiting: Assistant Professor (tenure track) – Surrey site
  We are inviting applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure track) to join us at our Surrey site. Review of applications will begin March 15, 2024.