Rehabilitation Counseling, MS

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Professor Nerlich, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-6492

The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling is designed to prepare students as professional counselors with specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to assist persons with disabilities toward achieving their personal, social, psychological, and vocational independence including appropriate employment and independent living. The curriculum prepares students to qualify for the nationally certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) credential. Graduates work in a variety of rehabilitation settings including state-federal rehabilitation agencies, mental health centers, medical centers, private rehabilitation agencies, Veteran’s Administration clinics, substance use programs, schools and institutions of higher education, independent living programs, insurance companies, private practice, or other organizations serving persons with mental, emotional, social and physical disabilities.

Prospective students with baccalaureate degrees can complete the comprehensive curriculum in two to three academic years. Acceleration is possible with the approved transfer of a maximum of 12 appropriate graduate course credits. Part-time and nonmatriculated students, as well as those preparing for the CRC, are accepted.

Extensive fieldwork is an essential component of the academic training program. A number of rehabilitation facilities in the Long Island and New York metropolitan areas provide practicum and internship experiences and training. Placement assistance is available for fieldwork experiences.

The program has an outstanding record of graduates employed in the field; job placement and in-service education of graduates are actively promoted by the faculty. Application to the program is made through the Office of Graduate Admission. The program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Note: The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or American Counseling Association sponsored liability insurance is strongly recommended for internship students. This insurance provides coverage while performing professional duties as a rehabilitation counselor in training. Information may be obtained from the graduate program director.

Admission Requirements

Completion, with an acceptable grade point average, of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution.
Personal interview with a department member.
Educational and professional references (three).
Current resume. Voluntary or paid work experience in rehabilitation or with individuals with disabilities preferred.
Written statement of professional aspirations (guidelines available from Graduate Program Director).

Note: The preferred application deadline for the fall semester is August 15 and for the spring semester is January 15. All others will be reviewed based on available space.

Prerequisite Requirements - Semester Hours: 9

Three advanced-level courses related to disability and mental health, social justice, or health and human services from the following disciplines may be taken concurrently with beginning-level courses or may have been taken as part of undergraduate work. The suitability of courses will be determined by the Graduate Program Director. Prerequisite courses do not carry degree credit.

Psychology
Human services
Criminal justice
Disability studies
Sociology
Community health

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 60

Area 1. Rehabilitation Core Courses - Semester Hours: 48

COUN 202 - Professional Orientation and Ethics Semester Hours: 3
COUN 210 - Counseling and Helping Relationships Semester Hours: 3
COUN 277 - Group Counseling Semester Hours: 3
CMHP 203 - Foundation of Transition Services and Interdisciplinary Collaboration Semester Hours: 3
or
CMHP 205 - Individualized Transition Services for Diverse Student Needs Semester Hours: 3
CMHP 246 - Integrative Assessment in Counseling Semester Hours: 3
MFT 204 - Individual and Family Life Cycle Development Semester Hours: 3
REHB 228 - Skills and Techniques in Rehabilitation Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 230 - Philosophy and Principles of Rehabilitation Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 231 - Intersectionality, Cultural Humility, and Social Justice in Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 232 - Medical Aspects of Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
REHB 233 - Job Placement and Development in Rehabilitation Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 236 - Practicum: Rehabilitation Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 241 - Case Management and Quality Assurance in Rehabilitation Counseling Semester Hours: 3
REHB 267 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities Semester Hours: 3
CMHP 247 - Career Counseling and Development Semester Hours: 3
RES 258 - Understanding Research Methodology Semester Hours: 3

Area 2. Internship - Semester Hours: 6

REHB 234 - Internship: Rehabilitation Counseling I Semester Hours: 3
REHB 235 - Internship: Rehabilitation Counseling II Semester Hours: 3

Area 3. Electives, under advisement - Semester Hours: 6

Students may select two of the following courses to satisfy the elective requirement.

CMHP 249 - Motivation and Emotion in Education and Counseling-Based Contexts Semester Hours: 3
COUN 211 - Principles and Practices of Substance Use Disorder Counseling Semester Hours: 3
COUN 261 - Understanding Psychopathology in Counseling Semester Hours: 3
COUN 278 - Substance Use Disorder Counseling Semester Hours: 3
COUN 301 - Counseling for Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Response Semester Hours: 3

Area 4. Comprehensive Case Study Portfolio and Oral Defense (no credit)

Prior to graduation, students are required to complete a written comprehensive case study portfolio assigned to them by the Rehabilitation Counseling faculty. Students build their case utilizing standards set forth by CACREP. Upon completion of the written portfolio, students must orally defend the case study before the Rehabilitation Counseling faculty.

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