Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Mission
To prepare rehabilitation professionals who are skilled in advocating for individuals who are Deaf or who have disabilities and who are competent counselors knowledgeable about the development and dissemination of innovative and culturally sensitive rehabilitation practices and policies.
Learning Outcomes
- Skills to facilitate employment, independent living, community integration and personal adjustment for rehabilitation customers;
- Knowledge of deafness and disability related law, rehabilitation-related community issues; and
- Effective techniques in advocating for appropriate services with an emphasis on promoting leadership and self advocacy skills in rehabilitation customers.
The Rehabilitation Counselor Education program at WOU was established on the belief that individuals who are Deaf and/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 and/or have disabilities and who are competent counselors knowledgeable about the development and dissemination of innovative and culturally sensitive rehabilitation practices and policies.
Rehabilitation Counseling is offered at the graduate level only. Preparation consists of a two-year sequential program that integrates academic knowledge and theory with closely supervised counseling practice. The program is designed to prepare counselors to work with persons who are Deaf and/or who have some type of physical or mental disability.
Graduates are prepared for positions in a variety of agencies where the counselor is part of a team of specialists providing comprehensive services to persons of disability. Employment opportunities that are within the scope of training include: vocational rehabilitation counselor, case manager with a vendor who serves vocational rehabilitation clients, youth transition specialist, community services coordinator for adults with disabilities, disabled student services, client advocate, and group or supported living coordinator.
The program emphasizes five major academic components:
- Individual and group counseling theory and technique;
- The influence of career selection and personal independence on the daily lives of persons with disabilities;
- The social and psychological impact of disability, social/cultural differences, and/or deafness on an individual and family;
- The federal, state, and private service delivery systems for persons with disabilities; and,
- Self-awareness on the part of the counselors-in-training.
The program offers two tracks:
- the general Rehabilitation Counseling (RC) track offers a wide range of experiences with persons who have a variety of disabilities;
- the Rehabilitation Counseling with the Deaf (RCD) emphasis maintains a national reputation and is one of only four national programs in rehabilitation deafness. The two tracks share several core classes, but those students specializing in deafness are assigned to a specifically focused practicum and internship experiences coupled with additional required courses.
The program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). All students must complete 72 graduate credits (RC option) or 80 graduate credits (RCD option) as part of the program requirements. Training begins with the fall term each year and requires a minimum of seven sequential terms and includes one summer term. Most full-time students complete the program by June of their second year.
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling (84 credits)
ED 612 Quantitative Research in Education (3)
RC 522 Medical and Functional Aspects in Rehabilitation (3)
RC 531 Family, Disability and Life Span Development (3)
RC 532 Psychosocial and Environmental Aspects of Disability (3)
RC 533 Social and Cultural Diversity Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling (3)
RC 609 Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling (12)
RC 610 Rehabilitation Counseling Internship (18)
RC 611 Introduction to the Helping Profession (3)
RC 612 Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
RC 613 Lifestyle and Career Development (3)
RC 620 Professional Orientation to Rehabilitation Services and Resources (3)
RC 621 Job Development, Placement and Retention (3)
RC 630 Group Work (3)
RC 634 Diagnosis/Treatment of Mental Illness (3)
RC 650 Ethical Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling (3)
RC 660 Case Management (3)
RC 662 Measurement and Assessment Procedures in Deafness and Rehabilitation (3)
SPED 672 Transition Planning and Programming (3)
Electives (RC students) (6)
Electives (RCD students) (3)
All RCE students (both RC and RCD) are highly recommended to take the one credit elective
RC 575 Hearing Loss and Assistive Technology.
Note: All RC 609 and RC 610 sections will be P/NC grading only. A “P” grade represents work of at least “B” level.
Required Support Rehabilitation Counseling Deafness (RCD) Emphasis
Students in the deafness rehabilitation emphasis in addition to Internship experiences with clients who are deaf may also take:
RC 607 Seminars: Special Topics in Deafness Rehabilitation (1-3)
RC 690 Professional Issues/Deafness (3)
TPD 584 Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies (3)
All RCD students must demonstrate American Sign Language competency.