Rehabilitation curriculum, 48 hours

Course work consists of basic preparatory studies in disability, educational and occupational information, counseling and case management, and the vocational rehabilitation process. The curriculum consists of the following required courses and one elective.

• 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
• RHAB 5732 - Principles of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery
• 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

Additional requirements

Graduate comprehensive examination

Candidates for the master’s degree must pass a final written comprehensive examination over their course of study. In lieu of the departmental comprehensive exam, students may submit a passing score on the national certification exam for rehabilitation counselors (CRC), which must be taken the semester prior to graduation.

Degree plan preparation

Students are assigned an academic advisor from among the DAR faculty. The academic advisor will assist the student in developing a formal degree plan by the end of the student’s second term/semester in the program.

Minors

The rehabilitation counseling curriculum does not usually include a minor, but some students may choose to select a minor.

Program accreditation and professional certification/licensing

The graduate curriculum in rehabilitation counseling is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) (1699 Woodfield Road, Suite 300, Schaumberg, IL 60173).

Students completing the rehabilitation counseling program are eligible to take the examination for national certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC). Rehabilitation counseling students are eligible for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Students seeking the LPC are required to complete 3,000 hours of supervised practice and must successfully pass the state licensing examination. Students may also complete academic requirements of the Texas Department of State Health Services for licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). The LCDC requires 4,000 hours of approved supervised work experience and successful completion of a state examination.

Financial assistance

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the U.S. Department of Education often provides financial support to graduate students in rehabilitation to increase the number of qualified professionals in various rehabilitation counseling occupations. DRSWA is currently able to provide RSA scholarship and stipend assistance to qualified students to support their graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling. The availability of RSA financial support varies from year to year. Inquiries should be made at the time of application to the rehabilitation graduate program.