Rehabilitation Studies

Career potential

Rehabilitation professionals serve individuals who experience physical, mental and emotional disabilities so they can become productive workers and active citizens within their communities. The demand for new professionals is rising every year.

Rehabilitation professionals work in addiction treatment centers, disability accommodation offices in schools and universities, hospitals and clinics that treat people with head injuries, independent-living facilities, insurance companies, mental health/mental retardation centers, probation and parole offices, state and federal rehabilitation programs and Veterans Affairs centers.

Earning a bachelor's degree with a major in rehabilitation studies will prepare you for these and many other career opportunities and for graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling. Many of our alumni hold executive positions in the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities and the Texas Division of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

Majoring in rehabilitation studies

As a rehabilitation studies major, you will explore the social, psychological and physical impact of disabilities and get an overview of human service delivery systems. You will gain skills in advocacy, case management, interpersonal communication and problem solving, enabling you to become knowledgeable about intervention techniques and to provide services for people with disabilities.

Rehabilitation includes many specialty areas including working with people who have alcohol and other drug abuse disabilities; persons with behavioral or emotional problems; or individuals with physical or sensory disabilities. Students may also focus on helping older adults cope with the challenges associated with aging, or support people who are re-entering their communities while on probation or parole.

Rehabilitation studies majors may pursue licensure as chemical dependency counselors. UNT's Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions is recognized by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse as a pre-service educational institution, and your rehabilitation advisor can work with you to choose courses that will prepare you to pass the TCADA licensure exams and prepare you for practicum.

UNT's rehabilitation studies faculty members have years of experience in diverse human service delivery settings and are committed to providing highly individualized academic advising. Students are urged to talk with faculty members who work in their area of interest.

Students can participate in the North Texas Rehabilitation Association, attend state and national conferences and be part of campus activities related to rehabilitation studies.

The department offers scholarships to rehabilitation students based on academic standing and need. Information is available from the undergraduate coordinator or department chair.

Getting hands-on experience

As a rehabilitation studies major, you must spend at least one semester working in a human service agency as part of a practicum course. Students may select from a variety of programs and organizations to complete this 200-hour supervised experience. Faculty members in rehabilitation will help you secure an internship for your practicum course.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

Courses in human biology and development, foreign languages — particularly sign language and Spanish — government, psychology and sociology will be helpful, too.

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT I or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

If you are interested in majoring in rehabilitation studies, you should contact the Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions for an interview. Once you are admitted to UNT and declare rehabilitation studies as your major, faculty members will help you plan your class schedule each semester and help you select courses. The department office is in Chilton Hall, Room 218.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.