Rehabilitation Studies

Your Future in Rehabilitation Studies

Do you have a strong desire to help others? Are you a positive influence on others? Do you want a career that produces new experiences each day? Then you should pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Studies at the University of North Texas.

Rehabilitation professionals serve individuals who have physical, mental and emotional disabilities and help them become productive workers and active citizens in their communities. The demand for new professionals is rising every year.

Rehabilitation professionals work in:

• Addiction treatment centers
• Disability accommodation programs at schools and universities
• Hospitals and clinics that treat people with head injuries
• Independent-living and other community programs
• Insurance companies
• Mental health/mental retardation centers
• Probation and parole offices
• State and federal rehabilitation programs
• Veterans Affairs centers

Many of our alumni hold executive positions with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

What we offer

The Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation provides an in-depth and well- rounded program. We combine a comprehensive classroom curriculum with extensive practical experience in community placements. And the low student/faculty ratio in required classes allows you to receive individual attention from instructors. You’ll learn from faculty members who have years of experience in diverse human service delivery settings and who are available for individual academic advising. They have worked as counselors for hospitals, mental health centers, state agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Because the department is recognized as a pre-service educational institution, our courses prepare you for licensing as a chemical dependency counselor. For more information on licensure, visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/lcdc.

Numerous scholarships are available to help you pay for your education. These scholarships are awarded based on academic standing and need. More information is available www.unt.edu/rswa.

We encourage you to participate in the North Texas Rehabilitation Association, attend state and national conferences, and be part of campus activities related to Rehabilitation Studies. A Residents Engaged in Academic Living Community brings students committed to community engagement together to enhance academic and social experiences. More information about the UNT SERVES Community is at reslife.unt.edu/.

What to expect

As a Rehabilitation Studies major, you will:

• Explore the social, psychological and physical impact of disabilities
• Understand the human service delivery system and how to effectively interface with other professionals
• Gain skills in advocacy, case management, interpersonal communication and problem solving
• Become knowledgeable about intervention techniques and providing services for people with disabilities

You will complete a minimum of 30 hours of human services courses with an opportunity to complete another 12 hours in a specialization or certificate program. A one-semester internship in a human service agency is required as part of a practicum course. You may select from a variety of programs and organizations to complete this 150- hour supervised experience.

Our Career Center, Internships and Cooperative Education office, and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center and the Internships and Cooperative Education office can provide advice about future employment opportunities as well as getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at UNT

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school. In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning allows you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.