Rehabilitation Counseling

master's program

Opportunities for graduate studies

The Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions offers a master of science degree with a major in rehabilitation counseling. The rehabilitation counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education [300 N. Martingale Road, Suite 460, Schaumburg, Ill. 60173; (847) 944-1345] and designed to meet all curriculum requirements for the preparation of qualified rehabilitation counselors.

You and your professional development is our department’s main priority through advising, supervision and field site placements. The department has an enrollment of approximately 60 graduate students. Five of the department’s eight faculty members are assigned primarily to teach in the graduate rehabilitation counseling program. The department has a 30-year history of providing education and training in vocational rehabilitation services. In recent years, the department has expanded to include course work in addictions, EEG biofeedback and an undergraduate program in social work. The department’s overall mission is to develop and disseminate innovative and interdisciplinary practices that enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to live and work in their communities.

Supporting this mission are a regional rehabilitation continuing education program in community rehabilitation and a Neurotherapy Laboratory that provides continuing education, research and clinical experience in quantitative electroencephalogram and biofeedback.

Graduate students may work on various projects and departmental research activities as part of their graduate programs.

Mission and goals

The rehabilitation counseling program’s mission is to promote quality rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities through the education of rehabilitation professionals; to provide service to rehabilitation agencies, facilities and associations; and to implement and use research related to rehabilitation. Graduates have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to successfully practice as rehabilitation counselors.

The rehabilitation counseling program’s objectives are to:

• provide a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for a career in rehabilitation counseling
• provide high-quality services to individuals with disabilities
• strengthen your values, skills and knowledge that result in a genuine commitment to human rights, professionalism, personal integrity and ethical practice
• nurture an approach to professional practice and rehabilitation research that is characterized by inquiry, critical thinking, flexibility and self-confidence

Admission requirements

For admission into the master’s program in rehabilitation counseling, you must meet the requirements of UNT’s Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and specific program requirements. For graduate school requirements and possible exceptions, access the graduate catalog at www.unt.edu/catalog. The department also has a specialization concentration in rehabilitation at the Ph.D. level in cooperation with the counseling program in the College of Education. Admission to the doctoral program is through the counseling program.

Admission into the rehabilitation counseling program also requires a completed departmental application, a personal statement and letters of reference. We recommend that you discuss your plans with a faculty member before submitting your application. GRE scores also must be submitted as part of the admission process. International students whose native language is not English may substitute UNT’s Graduate Preparation Course for their GRE verbal score.

Degree requirements

The master of science degree program is a 48-semester-hour program that includes a combination of academic course work and practical experience. You complete course work taken from the following offerings. Further details can be found on the departmental web site, www.unt.edu/rswa.

• RHAB 5700 Introduction to Rehabilitation
• RHAB 5710 Rehabilitation in a Multicultural Society
• RHAB 5715 Disability Issues in Human Development
• RHAB 5720 Rehabilitation Counseling Theories
• RHAB 5721 Rehabilitation Counseling Applications
• RHAB 5723 Group Work and the Rehabilitation Process
• RHAB 5730 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability I
• RHAB 5731 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability II
• RHAB 5740 Rehabilitation Assessment
• RHAB 5741 Employment and Career Development
• RHAB 5742 Case Management and Rehabilitation Services
• RHAB 5770 Rehabilitation Research and Program Evaluation
• RHAB 5811 Practicum in Rehabilitation
• RHAB 5812 Internship in Rehabilitation (6 hours)

You may complete a thesis or problem in lieu of thesis as part of your graduate program.

Certification/licensure

Upon completing the rehabilitation counseling program, you are eligible to take the national certification examination to become a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC). In addition, the graduate curriculum provides the academic preparation required for licensure as a professional counselor in Texas, licensure as a chemical dependency counselor in Texas and certification as an EEG biofeedback therapist.

Financial assistance

The Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions awards two scholarships annually to outstanding students in rehabilitation. Additional information on departmental financial assistance is available from the department graduate coordinator. Information regarding other financial assistance may be obtained from Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 940-565-2302 or (877) 881-1014.

Half-time assistantships carry medical insurance benefits. Out-of-state and international students who receive half-time assistantships or many kinds of fellowships and scholarships become eligible to pay in-state tuition rates.

New master’s students are eligible for first-year fellowships paying $8,000. You are nominated for these fellowships by the department.

New graduate students who have participated in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate program are eligible for McNair Fellowships that pay $12,667 for the first year plus one semester of graduate study. Contact the graduate school at (888) UNT-GRAD, e-mail questions to gradsch@unt.edu or visit www.gradschool.unt.edu.

Career opportunities

The 21st century brings a clear national commitment to improve opportunities and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act and subsequent Rehabilitation Act Amendments reinforce this commitment through emphasizing expanded employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Qualified professionals are needed to provide vocational rehabilitation services within a wide range of public and private settings. Rehabilitation professionals provide counseling and guidance to consumers with disabling conditions and help individuals with disabilities reach their employment goals and be independent and self-sufficient.

Rehabilitation professionals specialize in counseling and case management to work in partnership with people who have cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities as well as addiction and substance abuse problems. Current federal legislation requires vocational rehabilitation counselors with public VR programs to have a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. Qualified rehabilitation personnel work with business and industry, insurance companies and independent agencies to help workers who suffered on-the-job injuries to return to employment quickly and efficiently. Examples of work settings in which graduates are employed include:

• state and federal vocational rehabilitation programs
• community rehabilitation programs
• alcohol and drug treatment programs
• insurance companies
• supervised employment programs
• community mental health centers
• pre- and post-secondary schools
• medical and psychiatric hospitals
• correctional facilities
• independent living programs
• community job sites
• rehabilitation programs in business and industry
• disability management programs within private industry
• private for profit rehabilitation programs