Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling

Rehabilitation Counseling is a profession uniquely dedicated to helping individuals with physical, mental (developmental and adventitious brain injuries), and psychiatric disabilities achieve productive and independent lives. The discipline is taught and practiced all over America , and here Rehabilitation Counselors are always trained at the master's level. There are a number of undergraduate rehabilitation services programs around the United States , but entering the discipline requires going to graduate school and earning a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Programs range from 48 to 60 semester hours, and established programs are usually accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Prospective students should inquire about CORE accreditation. If the program is not CORE accredited, the graduate will need a full year of work experience, under the supervision of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, before being eligible to sit for the discipline's examination.

Students graduating from the program having completed the requirements for the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling emphasis are endorsed to perform professional rehabilitation counseling roles and functions.  This program is designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for licensure in counseling (LPC) and certification through the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).  Once graduates complete an approved plan for the remainder of the supervised clinical experience they are eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Required Curriculum: In addition to the core courses, the courses below must be taken to satisfy the requirements of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling emphasis:

Core Requirements................................................................................................ 35

CHRD 751—Overview of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.................. 3

CHRD 752—Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disability................................ 3

CHRD 753—Case Management Principles and Plan Development...................... 3

CHRD 794—Counseling Internship: Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (counted in core requirements)

Elective.............................................................................................................. 3

Total Program Credit Hours ……………………………..………………….…48

CHRD Core Requirements:

Level 1 Courses

CHRD 601—Introduction to Professional Issues & Ethics I................................ 1
CHRD 602—Research and Evaluation in Counseling........................................... 3
CHRD 610—Developmental Issues in Counseling................................................. 3
CHRD 661—Theories of Counseling.................................................................. 3

Level 2 Courses

CHRD 731—Multicultural Counseling & Human Relations....................................... 3
CHRD 736—Appraisal of the Individual................................................................... 3
CHRD 742—Career Counseling and Planning................................................. 3
CHRD 766—Group Counseling................................................................................ 3
CHRD 785—Pre-Practicum................................................................................. 3

Level 3 Courses

CHRD 701—Professional Issues & Ethics II............................................................ 1
CHRD 786—Counseling Practicum..................................................................... 3

Level 4 Course

CHRD 794—Internship (track specific)............................................................. 6
Total Core Credit Hours...................................................................... 35

Link to a professional association: http://www.core-rehab.org/