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Graduate School » Professional Studies » Rehabilitation Counseling (MS)

Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling

The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling intends to teach counseling and rehabilitation theories, applied counseling approaches, and the clinical skills necessary for students to find professional work as a rehabilitation counselor. As a professional rehabilitation counselor, you will assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their maximum level of functioning.   

As part of the requirements for this graduate degree, you will get field training in a practicum of your choice. The goal is to help you develop clinical skills and experience that directly relate to your interests and future career. The evening class schedule allows you the flexibility to continue working while completing your degree. The University of Saint Francis rehabilitation counseling curriculum aligns with the Counsel on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accreditation standards and outcomes.

Program Outline

Curriculum Plan

All courses are three credit hours, unless stated otherwise.

Core Courses (15 Credit Hours)

  • PSYC 506 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling and Case Management
    • Introduction to the profession of rehabilitation counseling focusing on the historical, philosophical, and legislative issues, as well as the ethical standards of the rehabilitation counselor. Other topics covered include: the role of the rehabilitation professional, the case management process, and rehabilitation services and resources.
  • PSYC 518 Lifestyle and Career Counseling
    • Career counseling theories and skills across the lifespan will be explored. Recent developments in lifestyle, theorists and theoretical constructs, as well as practical delivery systems in school and community mental health agencies will be examined.
  • PSYC 569 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling
    • An overview of medical information essential to understanding the functional limitations and rehabilitation implications of individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Additionally, this course provides an understanding of the psychological, social, cultural, and environmental implications associated with the adjustment and adaptation to disabling conditions.
  • PSYC 572 Behavioral Medicine in Rehabilitation
    • An introduction to the theories and techniques in behavioral medicine. The course will introduce behavioral interventions appropriate for medical conditions, chronic diseases, and health-related conditions in the rehabilitation setting. The application of behavioral interventions to psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders will also be presented.
  • PSYC 593 Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling
    • Practicum provides a supervised experience in a rehabilitation setting working with persons with disabilities and an opportunity for students to demonstrate skills in the field of rehabilitation counseling (e.g., case management). Required are a minimum of 100 agency clock hours, of which 40 hours minimum are direct service with clients (one quarter of these hours will be in group work). Students receive a minimum of one hour per week of face-to-face supervision from the on-site supervisor and 1.5 hours of on-campus group supervision by the course instructor. Students will be visited at their host agency by their practicum instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 544, 548, and the 15 hours of required rehabilitation coursework; to be taken toward the end of the academic program; and Program Director approval

Core Courses in Psychology and Counseling (21 Credit Hours)

  • PSYC 500 Research Methods and Statistics
    • Basic methods of research and evaluation in the behavioral sciences. An overview of research and evaluation designs, their strengths and limitations. Application of statistical methods and data-gathering techniques.
  • PSYC 501 Advanced Human Growth and Development
    • Physiological, social and psychological developmental processes from conception to maturation. Review of stages of development, patterns of behavior, and exploration of current social issues related to development.
  • PSYC 522 Social and Cultural Issues
    • Major social problems in contemporary society and their impact upon counseling will be probed. Exploration of subgroups and cross-cultural issues as well as emphasis on sensitizing students to ethnocentrism and development of respect for diversity in all its guises.
  • PSYC 528 Testing and Appraisal of Individuals
    • Introduction to the major concepts of psychological testing: reliability and validity; standardized tests; ethnic, cultural, sexual and age-related factors; ethical standards for development and usage; test construction; interpretation. Prerequisite: PSYC 500
  • PSYC 530 Personality/Counseling Theories
    • Introduction to counseling theories and psychological processes involved in individual counseling.
      Including but not limited to analytical, phenomenological, person-centered, existential, behavioral, and cognitive/behavioral. Students will refine their own theory of personality and counseling. Case studies.
  • PSYC 544 Counseling Skills
    • Demonstration and supervised practice (role play) of micro-counseling skills, including attending behaviors, questioning, paraphrasing, summarization, reflection of feeling, confrontation, and reflection of meaning. Students will refine their counseling techniques, integrating acquired skills and influencing strategies with personal style. Prerequisite: PSYC 530
  • PSYC 548 Group Processes in Counseling
    • Group work studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, other group work approaches, and ethical issues related to group work. Prerequisite: PSYC 530

Admissions Requirements

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States
  • Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale

Steps to Apply

  • Completed application form (plus $20 fee if submitting the paper application)
  • Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
    • Must be sent directly from Registrar of institution(s) attended
  • Submit a DD214 form (United States veterans only).
  • Submit a concise, typed, two-page statement of your professional goals, including why you wish to become a licensed counselor. You could also include specific training objectives and long-term career goals following graduation. Submit to gradschool@sf.edu.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one professional and one academic reference. Must be submitted using our department form.
  • After the Office of Admissions has received the above-listed materials, you will be required to interview with the Psychology and Counseling Admissions Committee.

Contact Us

If you have questions about getting started in our Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program, please let us know. You are welcome to contact the Counseling program director or your personal graduate counselor.