Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Specialization

Students who successfully complete this 48-credit hour specialization will earn a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development specializing in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.

Mission Statement: The specialty area in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of counselors and programs of service to people with disabilities. Educational experiences will aim to prepare qualified rehabilitation counselors, increase knowledge in the field of rehabilitation, and to apply knowledge to the growing effectiveness of rehabilitation professionals and service delivery systems. In alliance with students, agencies, consumers, and professional organizations, the specialty area will promote the independence, acceptance, and dignity of all people with significant disabilities.

Program Objectives: Meet the growing needs and diverse challenges of consumers with physical and psychiatric disabilities; prepare qualified counselors for careers with federal, state, and private agencies; meet anticipated work force needs in the growing rehabilitation and mental health counseling field; and provide field experience and internships to develop professional counseling skills.

This program specialization is accredited by CORE. The following statement is intended to identify the specific endorsement for students entering rehabilitation counseling: Upon successful completion of the core requirements, and those of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling emphasis, and with successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral examinations, graduates are endorsed as having constructed appropriate entry level knowledge and as having met appropriate skill acquisition to be recognized as professional rehabilitation and mental health counselors. Students in this emphasis are also responsible for having taken supporting area courses which supplement or enhance their chosen specialty.

• CHRD 601 - Introduction to Professional Issues and Ethics
    Credits: 1
• CHRD 602 - Research and Evaluation in Counseling and Human Development
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 610 - Developmental Issues in Counseling
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 661 - Theories of Counseling
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 701 - Professional Issues and Ethics II
    Credits: 1
• CHRD 731 - Multicultural Counseling and Human Relations
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 736 - Appraisal of the Individual
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 742 - Career Counseling and Planning
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 766 - Group Counseling
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 785 - Pre-Practicum
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 786 - Counseling Practicum
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 751 - Overview of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 752 - Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disability
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 753 - Case Management Principles and Plan Development
    Credits: 3
• CHRD 794 - Internship
    Credits: 6
• Elective Credits: 4

Total Credits: 48