COURSE CURRICULUM

The Rehabilitation Counselor Education program is a fully online, CACREP-accredited 60-credit-hour Master of Arts degree designed to prepare professional rehabilitation counselors to serve individuals with disabilities in a wide range of work, clinical, and community-based settings. The program follows a structured, advisor-approved plan of study that students develop in consultation with an assigned academic advisor, ensuring that coursework aligns with individual career goals and professional interests in rehabilitation counseling. While delivered primarily in an online format for flexibility, the program includes some synchronous courses that require weekly participation in live virtual classrooms, allowing for real-time interaction, discussion, and skill development. Students complete a curriculum that integrates counseling theory, vocational rehabilitation, case management, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, multicultural counseling, group counseling processes, and psychopathology, along with foundational training in research methods and statistics to support evidence-based practice. The program emphasizes practical skill development through applied courses and supervised field experiences, including practicum and a 600-hour internship in rehabilitation counseling settings, where students work directly with clients under professional supervision. These experiences prepare students to provide counseling services focused on personal, social, vocational, and psychological adjustment, as well as to assist clients in achieving independence and improved quality of life. Additional coursework in career development, vocational assessment, substance abuse counseling, and work-disability issues strengthens students’ ability to address complex client needs in rehabilitation environments. Students are also required to engage with a Watermark™ Student Learning & Licensure account for ongoing assessment and professional tracking throughout the program. The curriculum draws on interdisciplinary coursework from Counselor Education, Educational Psychology, Educational Research, and School Psychology, providing a broad foundation of expertise within the College of Education. Overall, the program prepares graduates to become competent, ethical, and culturally responsive rehabilitation counselors capable of working in healthcare agencies, vocational rehabilitation services, nonprofit organizations, and other disability-focused settings.