Rehabilitation Counselor Education (RCE)
Mission Statement
The Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program at Western Oregon University was established on the belief that individuals who are Deaf or have disabilities have a right to lead fulfilling, independent, and productive lives. Trained professionals are an important component to the realization of this right. To that end, the faculty is dedicated to preparing rehabilitation professionals who are skilled in advocating for and with persons who are Deaf or have disabilities and who are competent counselors knowledgeable about the development and dissemination of innovative and culturally sensitive rehabilitation practices and policies.
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:
- Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD)
- Rehabilitation Counselor (RC)
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.
Link to:
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Student and alumni activities - in development
Julia Smith, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
Rehabilitation Counselor Education
Division of Special Education
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, Oregon U.S.A. 97361
503-838-8744 message phone . 503-838-8444 V/TTY . 866-724-5141 VP
E-mail rceinfo@wou.edu
For an application packet
Rehabilitation Counselor Education
Education Building room 220
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR 97361
503-838-8444 V/TTY . FAX 503-838-8228
E-mail rceinfo@wou.edu