The Program

The two-year Master of Rehabilitation Counseling program, offered by the Department of Special Education, is designed to train professional rehabilitation counselors to work in a variety of settings and fields including state, federal, and private rehabilitation agencies and other agencies providing services in the areas of mental retardation, developmental disabilities, mental health, substance abuse, and physical disabilities. The program consists of University classroom, practicum, field, and internship experiences. The program meets the educational requirements for state counselor licensure and all requirements for the CRC. The program covers counseling, case management, and vocational rehabilitation.

Program Plans

Practicum and intern experiences are integral to the program and provide counseling experience with individuals who have disabling conditions in a setting selected by student and advisor.
   
Each student's course of study must include completion of (1) a minimum of 48 semester hours of graduate credit, with 40 hours in the rehabilitation counseling major and (2) one of the two following options:

• Plan I: Students must complete a thesis and pass an oral defense of their thesis.
• Plan II: Students must pass a final written comprehensive examination covering studies included in the degree plan.

PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE WORK:
   
Prerequisites include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must meet personal qualifications, including work history, potential for working with individuals with disabilities, and career goals, as determined through an interview with the program director.

CAREER PATHS:

The rehabilitation counselors' role is to help individuals with disabilities in managing their disabling conditions and attain the highest possible level of functioning and self reliance. Disabling conditions include physical, emotional, and behavioral problems. Because rehabilitation counselors combine counseling skills with medical knowledge and career development interventions they are adept at dealing with a wide range of disabling conditions in diverse settings. Work settings include state and private rehabilitation agencies, medical facilities, supported employment, substance abuse programs, mental health agencies, employee assistance programs, and programs for the developmentally disabled.
   
Rehabilitation counselors provide individually planned programs of education, counseling and therapy for individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation counselors also work with the community to provide additional support and services. They work with individuals, groups and families in a professional team setting. Some develop and manage rehabilitation programs.

Contact Information:

Jay Stewart, Director
Room: 427 Education Building
Phone: 419-372-7293

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