Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.) - Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Specialization

Program Coordinator/Contact

Alan Davis, Professor
Department of Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 115, Box 507
605-688-4715

Program Information

The Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Specialization 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.

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. 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.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The Master of Science in CHRD specializing in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Certification

All Master of Science students are eligible to begin the process for the National Certified Counselor certification by taking the NCE six months before or after they graduate.

Students specializing in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling are eligible to begin the process for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification by taking the CRC exam after a student has completed 75% of coursework or after graduation.

Licensure

Graduation from this program does not grant immediate licensure as a counselor. Licensure differs by state and is obtainable by completing additional client contact hours after graduation. Students are responsible for researching licensure requirements for the state in which they plan to practice.

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course requirements for a MS in CHRD specializing in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, students will:

acquire a sound, basic education in rehabilitation;
develop the lifelong habit of updating skills and professionalism;
develop a commitment to assist individuals with disabilities in using their own resources and opportunities to meet their developmental, vocational, and educational needs;
nourish a commitment to individual human values;
exercise skills and competencies on a high ethical level and with personal integrity;
maintain a critical, questioning, and exploratory attitude; and
contribute to the profession by offering suggestions to educators and researchers with the overall goal of improving practice in the rehabilitation profession in general and in the specific area of professional application. Students should also be personally committed to the field of rehabilitation who can provide effective services to individuals with disabilities, including individuals with severe disabilities.
Students are encouraged to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of rehabilitation through research and the demonstrated application of significant findings.

Course Delivery Format

Instruction occurs through didactic (classroom) and clinical experience. Most classes are enhanced with internet supplement. Rehabilitation counseling specific courses are on a semester rotation for online delivery. Classes are scheduled for one day per week for three hours. All courses are available at the BHSU - Rapid City except for rehabilitation-specific courses. The Rehabilitation Counseling specialization is not available at BHSU - Rapid City. A few courses are available at the Community College in Sioux Falls; CHRD does not offer a degree program at the Community College in Sioux Falls.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science	Option A - Thesis	48 Credit Hours
	Option B - Research/Design Paper	48 Credit Hours
	Option C - Coursework Only	48 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

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 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 766 - Group Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 785 - Pre-Practicum Credits: 3
CHRD 786 - Counseling Practicum Credits: 3-5 (3 credits required)
CHRD 794 - Internship Credits: 2-6 (6 credits required)

Electives

Credits: 4

CHRD 798 - Thesis Credits: 1-6 (Option A - Thesis)
CHRD 788 - Research Problems in Counseling and Guidance Credits: 1-3 (Option B - Research/Design Paper)
Additional Coursework (Option C - Coursework Only)

Total Required Credits: 48 (Option A, B, & C)

Additional Program Requirements

All Master of Science students are required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance throughout the duration of the program. M.Ed. students will be required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance if enrolled in clinical courses.
Clinical course registration is completed by the department.
Students enrolled in the M.S. CHRD program need to complete a practicum and an approved internship. These experiences allow students to learn by doing, with active, sound supervision. The practicum and internship experiences carry clock and credit hour completion expectations. For example, for every 3 credits of internship, students are required to complete 20 hours per week of on-site experience. In addition, regular work expectations outside the classroom exist for every credit hour enrolled. Thus, students enrolled in 3 credits of internship or practicum experience will be considered part-time. Students enrolled in 4 credits of internship or 3 credits of practicum plus other courses to total 4 semester credits will be considered full-time.

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 525 paper-based, 71 Internet-based
IELTS: 5.5

Formal Application Process

In addition to applying for Graduate School, applicants must also apply to the CHRD program by April 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission. Admission is competitive; late applications will not be considered. Students have one calendar year from the time of acceptance to begin taking courses otherwise formal re-application to the CHRD program is required.

The CHRD department requires all applicants to submit the documents below by the appropriate admission deadline:

CHRD Disclosure Statement
Resume
A typed, one-page goal statement discussing your aspirations to the counseling field
Two completed CHRD Recommendation Forms (do not use the Graduate School reference forms).

Based on the rating score of the applicant’s file, the applicant will either be invited to the group screening interview top continue the admissions process or denied admission.

Criminal Background Check Requirement

Applicants who successfully complete the interview will be required to successfully complete and pay for a criminal background check before an official offer of admission is secured.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .