Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling
Why Us?
M.S. In Rehabilitation Counseling
Graduates of the master’s program of rehabilitation counseling go on to help individuals with disabilities find jobs, feel empowered to live a productive life and undergo challenging transitions with guided support. Alumni of our rehabilitation counseling program may be seen in community rehabilitation centers, Veterans Affairs offices, schools or in addiction clinics, building a bridge to recovery and a sustainable life.
U.S. News ranked our master’s program as number twelfth in the nation for best graduate rehabilitation counseling programs; in Texas, our program is tied for number one. Students enrolled in the graduate program are passionate about improving the quality of life for others.
Mission
- To develop and disseminate the best practices in providing rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with disabilities.
- To provide a comprehensive curriculum preparing students from diverse backgrounds for a career in rehabilitation counseling.
- To strengthen values, skills and knowledge of students that result in a genuine commitment to human rights, professionalism, personal integrity and ethical practice.
- To nurture an approach to professional practice and rehabilitation research that is characterized by inquiry, critical thinking, flexibility and self-confidence.
- To provide high-quality services to individuals with disabilities.
- To develop and disseminate the best practices in providing rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with disabilities.
Inside the Classroom
As a student, you will gain communication and goal-setting skills for the counseling process, utilizing self-advocacy, psychological, vocational, social and behavioral interventions. Students are immersed into a curriculum combining academic theory and technique courses with hands-on practicum experience. This core curriculum involves preparatory studies in disability, educational and occupational information, counseling and case management and vocational rehabilitation process. The core curriculum is made up of 36 hours of course work with an additional three hours of electives. While a thesis is optional, it may be beneficial to students looking to pursue their doctorate.
The Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation master’s program offers a traditional on-campus program as well as a distance-learning online program for professionals actively involved in the field. The program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); therefore, the curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for national certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC), as well as licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) by the state of Texas. So, upon graduation of the program, students are eligible for national certification as well as Texas licensure.
Outside the Classroom
The skills obtained by students cannot be solely achieved through the classroom; this is why the master’s program utilizes on-campus and community-based services into the curriculum.
Beyond the classroom, students participate in field-site internship experiences and emphasize on exposure to a broad spectrum of rehabilitation services, professional organizations, interdisciplinary professional activities and advocacy and consumer groups in the field of rehabilitation. Students are required to achieve three hours of practicum and six hours of an internship.
Degree Requirements
Students graduate with a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation counseling after completing the 60-credit hour RCE program and passing a comprehensive examination. The program includes 36 credit hours in courses that include:
- Rehabilitation counseling principles and ethics
- Multiculturalism and disability
- Medical and psychosocial aspects of disability
- Counseling theories and techniques
- Research and program evaluation
- Assessment
- Employment models and case management practices
- Nine credit hours in courses in supervised fieldwork (over 700 hours)
- One elective. Elective courses available within the program include psychiatric rehabilitation, advanced counseling techniques, addiction counseling models and treatment and transition counseling.
Fall entry into the program is encouraged. However, applicants can be admitted for the spring and summer semester as well.
About Rehabilitation Counselors
& Career Options
Rehabilitation counselors are the only professional counselors educated and trained to specifically serve individuals with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive and emotional disabilities reach their personal, career and independent living goals. Graduates of our rehabilitation counseling program are employed in various rehabilitation, behavioral health and health care settings, such as the Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services, Veterans Affairs as well as hospitals, insurance companies, university and school settings, community programs, non-profit agencies, independent living centers and many other settings serving individuals with disabilities.
Is the Program Right for You?
Our highly ranked graduate program values diversity in our students, faculty and ideas. Students learn from national and international experts in the field. Are you compassionate, flexible, communicative and ready to make a change?