M.S.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling

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Associate Professor Lechowicz, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5786,
Joseph.S.Lechowicz@hofstra.edu

The Master of Science in Education in Rehabilitation Counseling is designed to train students as professional counselors to understand the physical, psychosocial and economic needs of persons with disabilities and to assist them toward vocational and psychological independence, including appropriate employment and independent living and functioning. The program also includes specialty courses by which students prepare for working in psychiatric and deafness rehabilitation settings. Graduates work in a variety of rehabilitation settings including state-federal rehabilitation agencies, medical centers, rehabilitation facilities, Veteran’s Administration hospitals, substance abuse programs, mental health centers, independent living programs, insurance companies, allied health facilities and private practice.

Prospective students with baccalaureate degrees can complete the comprehensive curriculum in two academic years. Acceleration is possible with the approved transfer of a maximum of 12 appropriate course credits. Part-time and nonmatriculated students, as well as those preparing for related professions, are accepted. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education and advanced students are eligible for certification as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).

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 prepracticum, practicum, and internship experiences and training.

Note: National Rehabilitation Association 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 Director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program.

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 Graduate Admissions Office.

Admission Requirements

Completion, with an acceptable grade point average, of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution.
Personal interview with department member.
Educational and professional references (four).
Voluntary or paid work experience in rehabilitation or with individuals with handicaps preferred.
Statement of career goals.

Program Advisement

All matriculated students are required to meet with a department faculty adviser and complete a Graduate Student Advisement Record following admission to the Program. A student may apply to the Program Director for modification of his or her program to 42 credits if either of the following is satisfied: The student can verify that he/she is working as a “rehabilitation counselor”; or the student possesses an undergraduate major in “Rehabilitation Services” of 24 semester hours or more from an accredited college/university.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 48 - 54 s.h.

Prerequisite Requirements - Semester Hours: 6

Two courses from the following areas may be taken concurrently with beginning level courses or may have been taken as part of undergraduate work. Prerequisite courses do not carry degree credit for this program.

Personality theory
Abnormal psychology
Statistics

Area 1. Rehabilitation Core Courses - Semester Hours: 30

COUN 203 - Introduction to Counseling Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 228 - Review, Exploration and Assessment of Rehabilitation Resources Credits: 3 s.h.
or
REHB 229 - Review, Exploration and Assessment of Rehabilitation Resources Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 230 - Philosophy and Principles of Vocational Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 231 - Techniques and Theories in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 232 - Medical Information in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 233 - Job Placement and Development in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 236 - Practicum: Rehabilitation Counseling Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 242 - Psychoeducational Assessment in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
or
REHB 243 - Vocational Evaluation Techniques Credits: 3 s.h.
REHB 267 - Rehabilitation Counseling for Persons with Severe Disability Credits: 3 s.h.
or SPED 249
REHB 268 - Occupational Information and Vocational Analysis in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 s.h.
SPED 249 - Understanding Physical, Sensory and Health Disabilities Credits: 3 s.h.
or REHB 267

Area 2. Internship - Semester Hours: 12

REHB 234 - Internship: Rehabilitation Counseling I Credits: 6 s.h.
REHB 235 - Internship: Rehabilitation Counseling II Credits: 6 s.h.

Area 3. Electives, Under Advisement - Semester Hours: 6

Area 4. Written Comprehensive Examination

(no credit) or oral examination by a screening committee of departmental members and consultants (no credit)

Substitution for some courses may be made with permission.

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