Program Description
Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling was designed as a direct result of the expressed need for professionally trained rehabilitation counselors in the growing Rio Grande Valley, the state of Texas, and across the nation. The degree is offered by the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling in the College of Health Affairs. The program focuses on an integration of theory, skill and practice in counseling, specializing in working with persons with disabilities. Students are prepared with the education needed to successfully function as a professional rehabilitation counselor and are required to complete a 100‐hour supervised practicum and a 600‐hour supervised internship to learn and practice the necessary skills to work as a professional counselor. The Master's degree is a minimum 60‐semester hour program. Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination before graduation.
Mission and Objectives
The Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling was designed to meet a growing demand for professionally trained counselors in public and private rehabilitation agencies, mental health centers, schools, substance abuse centers, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and in medical case management. The program philosophy is to assist and empower persons with disabilities in adjusting/adapting to their vocational and personal lives. The major objective of the Masters’ degree is to prepare students for a profession in rehabilitation counseling by providing classroom and experiential skills development in individual and group counseling, vocational assessment, job analysis and placement, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, case management, research in rehabilitation, and psychiatric rehabilitation. The Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) for the following term, 2011-2018. However, on July 1, 2017, CORE and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) merged. Therefore, our program became a Rehabilitation Counseling program accredited by CACREP. Our program is accredited by CACREP until September 2019 www.cacrep.org. As such, students who successfully complete the requirements of this program are immediately eligible to sit for the certifying exam as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
Additionally, students may complete the appropriate coursework needed for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
For more information about the Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation Counseling click here.