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Rehabilitation Counselor Education (RCE) Link to:Mission statement and program objectives FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Program description The Rehabilitation Counselor Education (RCE) master's degree program at Western Oregon University is the oldest and largest rehabilitation counselor preparation program in the Northwest. The primary focus of this program is to train rehabilitation counselors to assist people who are deaf or who have physical, emotional, or mental disabilities to become independent and self-sufficient. Rehabilitation counselors can make a very real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. For more information about the nature of careers in rehabilitation counseling, please go to www.rehabjobs.com.
Two options in the RCE program at WOU:
The Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) option was established in 1974, and is one of four deafness specialty programs in the United States. Students in this program plan to seek employment as counselors or consultants for culturally Deaf people, deafened individuals, and to persons who are hard-of-hearing. To be accepted to this program applicants must be proficient in American Sign Language (ASL). In most cases entering students demonstrate conversational skill by successfully completing the equivalent of two years of formal training in ASL. Applicants must be able to document two to three years of work experience and/or volunteer experiences with deaf or hard-of-hearing persons. Link to instructions for required videotape interview.
The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) option was authorized by the Oregon University System in 1991. Graduates of this option provide counseling and consultative services to the general population of persons who have disabilities. Entering students must be able to document two to three years of work experience and/or volunteer experiences with persons who have disabilities.
Admission requirements Each applicant must submit application materials to both the Graduate office and the RCE program and receive acceptance from each. This two step process is defined below: 1) WOU Graduate School – Applicants must submit the following:
2) Rehabilitation Counselor Education program application
Course of study Accreditation The Rehabilitation Counselor Education program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The curricula also meet the educational requirements for the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (LPC) and certification for both Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Length of the program This is a two year, seven term, 81-quarter credit hours master's degree program. RCD students are admitted in the summer while RC (general) students are admitted fall term each year and only for full-time graduate status (part-time is not available).
Nature and scope of the coursework Coursework in the program can be grouped into three academic areas: general counseling theory, clinical practice, and rehabilitation content. Those students in the RCD option have a fourth academic area in their coursework which is the deafness specialization. The RCE program is accredited by the Council on Rehabiliation Education (CORE) which attests that the program meets standards required of all certified rehabilitation programs throughout the United States.
Balance in the curriculum In each term, students enroll in a combination of 1) theory/lecture courses and 2) practicum or internship experiences. The total number of credits of classroom study is 54; practicum or internship requirements total 27 credit hours. However, the balance between theoretical and practical elements of the overall course of study is best reflected in the sample of the program's educational requirements. These are described below in the way they develop over the two year program.
COURSE SAMPLE (subject to change) Additional 1-credit seminars will also be available. All courses are 3 credits unless noted otherwise.
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
Educationally focused practicum Approximately one-third of the RCE program is comprised of practica/internship designed to give the student experience with rehabilitation and independent living services designed for clients who are Deaf and/or who have severe disabilities. An excellent relationship exists through the program's advisory structure with the Oregon State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Oregon Disabilities Commission, consumer groups, and Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited programs in Oregon. Practicum and internship supervisors adhere to CORE practicum standards and actively maintain contact with a variety of programs such as:
Prospects after graduation Over the past five years, 96-100 percent of our graduates were employed in appropriate professional fields within six months of graduation. Retention in the field of rehabilitation remains at 94 percent up to five years after graduation. Financial aid specific to the program Student funding Scholarships from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education have been awarded to most students in the Rehabilitation Counselor Education program. Notice of funding is usually sent to all admitted students in July of each year . Pending continued support, partial tuition scholarship funding is offered for both years of training. Not all admitted students are funded; generally 12 to 15 new students each year receive some type of RSA scholarship support.
To receive federal support through RSA, the recipient must commit to work for a state VRD agency or an agency (post-graduation) that provides services to persons who have disabilities and is a vendor to VRD. This means that for every year of scholarship support, RSA requires the recipient to work two years as a professional in the rehabilitation counseling field. This time must be completed within six years after graduation and within the United States. Click here for the complete federal policy governing the scholarship program.
Under a special program called WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education), students from the following states who are accepted into the Rehabilitation Counseling with the Deaf (RCD) option are allowed to waive out-of-state costs and pay in-state tuition: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
For further financial assistance information, contact the University Financial Aid Office.
Faculty and staff
Contacts For more information
For an application packet
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Listed below are answers to common questions by prospective students interested in either Rehabilitation Counseling: General (RC) or Rehabilitation Counseling: Deafness (RCD).
What undergraduate degree do I need? No specific undergraduate degree is necessary. The degree must, however be awarded by an accredited college or university. Special courses in developmental psychology, cultural anthropology, special education, and research have been identified by past students as providing a good background for the focus of the program. Prospective students interested in the Rehabilitation Deafness option must be proficient in American Sign Language (ASL).
When can I begin my coursework? Because classes are taught in sequence, beginning studies for RC students start fall term and for RCD students, classes start in the summer.
Can I attend as a part-time student? No, we do not offer a part-time option at this time.
Can I work full-time and be a full-time student? RCE graduate studies are a full-time commitment and equivalent to a full-time job. As such, the maximum a student should work in a job outside his/her graduate studies is 15-20 hours per week. In addition, students are required to complete an intensive, 600-hour (minimum) internship during their second year, which requires an average of 35 hours per week of work.
How long is the program? The program is a 2-year, 81 credit course taken over 7-8 consecutive quarters (RC students begin Fall term while RCD students begin Summer term).
I am not an Oregon resident: Will I have to pay out-of-state tuition and fees? Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling: Deafness (RCD) option who are residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming are assessed in-state tuition and fees. All other students, who are not Oregon residents, will be assessed out-of-state tuition and fees.
What is the employment outlook after I graduate? Employment outlook is excellent for RCE graduates. In the past few years we have had 96%-100% successful employment within 6-months of graduation. It should be noted that the more states a graduate is willing to consider, the quicker they will find employment. Most of our graduates find employment in Vocational Rehabilitation, community-based service programs for persons with disabilities, counseling agencies serving persons with disabilities, and post-secondary settings.
If I am admitted by Western Oregon University's Office of Admissions, am I automatically accepted into the RCE program? No, you must be admitted to the university for graduate studies through the Admissions Office before you can be considered for admission into the RCE program but admission to the university does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Is there financial support for students? We are pleased to have a long history of receiving training grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), US Department of Education. Contingent on continued federal scholarship support, beginning in the Fall, the program will offer stipends toward tuition credit. Federally funded tuition support is only available to US citizens or those who are in the process of becoming US citizens. The exact tuition support varies each year, and is dependent on continued funding from RSA. Generally, we are able to offer approximately $2000 toward tuition per term. In addition, graduate assistantships are sometimes available. Assistantships are usually awarded in late August and selected on a competitive basis. All students admitted to the program by July will receive information on availability of assistantships in late July or early August.
How quickly does the program fill? Generally, 12-15 of the openings for new students are filled by early June.
How do I locate housing in the area? Contact WOU's University Residences and Campus Dining for a list of off-campus housing. Other resources to consider: www.craigslist.org; www.statesmanjournal.com; www.apartments.com.
What does it mean that WOU's RCE program is CORE accredited? CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education) demands a high level of curriculum and program management. CORE accreditation at WOU allows students in their last term of study to apply for national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and to begin the application process for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) intern in the state of Oregon . (NOTE: Application for any certification or licensure is the sole responsibility of the graduate). Additionally, CORE accreditation allows the RCE program to receive RSA scholarship support for its RCE graduate students.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions? Dr. Julia Smith, RCE Program Coordinator Rehabilitation Counselor Education Education Building Western Oregon University Monmouth OR 97361 503-838-8744 V or 866-724-5141 VP E-mail: rceinfo@wou.edu Web site: www.wou.edu/rehab
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345 N. Monmouth Ave.
Monmouth, OR 97361
503-838-8322
or e-mail specialed@wou.edu
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| Last Updated: Thursday, 02 April, 2009 11:46 AM | |