Rehabilitation Counseling

Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)
in Mental Health: Concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling

*ATTENTION*
Information regarding the special topic courses in Autism Spectrum Disorders can be accessed here.

Classes are offered at our Newport campus, the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket, and online.

Message from the Director

Dr. Dimity Peter
dimity.peter@salve.edu

Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Nationally accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Consistent with the mission of Salve Regina University, the graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling is committed to offering a professional program in counseling that encourages students to seek wisdom through study and service and to promote universal justice. The program has been developed with the belief that opportunities for people with disabilities (including physical, psychological, developmental, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, and substance abuse) should equal those of all other individuals. The program supports the premise that all individuals, including those with disabilities, are vital resources for the betterment of society.

Program Requirements
The master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling program is a 48-credit program designed to prepare professional counselors to assist people with disabilities to achieve work, independent living and inclusion in society.  The rehabilitation counselor is educated as a professional counselor to understand disability issues, to appreciate the need for a holistic approach to assessment, to be experts on work and independent living, to recognize the importance of building rehabilitation and educational plans on the capacity to function rather than on the limitations in performance, and to utilize the total life system of the person to achieve defined goals.

The rehabilitation counselor is prepared to work in a variety of settings, particularly in those agencies, businesses and organizations which are interested in disability issues. Settings for work include state rehabilitation agencies, hospitals, psychiatric rehabilitation centers and clubs, substance abuse programs, human resource offices, wellness programs, schools, universities, colleges, community agencies, mental health clinics, criminal justice agencies, independent living centers, nursing homes, group homes, insurance companies, private business, corporations, employee assistance programs, and private practice. The intent of the program is to prepare the graduate, after appropriate supervised experience, to be eligible to sit for the national examination in rehabilitation counseling, and with successful completion of the examination to become nationally certified as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC). Students interested in state licensing as a counselor have the option to continue graduate studies with 12 additional credits (60 credits total).

On campus, Online or On-site
The master’s degree in  Rehabilitation Counseling may be earned by taking courses on campus, online through our eSalve, in the Pawtucket area, or by participating in specially designed programs, if available, on-site at the workplace. Many students accelerate completion of their degree by taking a combination of on-campus and online courses simultaneously. If a business, agency or organization is interested in sponsoring an on-site program, a representative should contact the Graduate Program Director for additional information.

Rehabilitation Counseling Early Entry Graduate Program
Salve Regina University offers an accelerated program of study that leads to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree within a shorter period of time. This program is designed for the University’s highly motivated, academically talented and qualified undergraduate students with a recommended grade point average of 3.30 or higher.  Students from any undergraduate major are eligible to apply to this program. Current undergraduate students interested in the accelerated program must complete the application process by March 15 of the junior year. 

Undergraduate students considered for the accelerated program are conditionally accepted into the M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling Program and must take four graduate courses during their senior year. Of the four courses, six credits are applied to the undergraduate degree. Final M.A. program acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree and the four graduate courses in the senior year.
 
Students with Prior Masters Degrees in Related Areas
Students who hold a Masters Degree in a related area, and are subsequently enrolling in the Masters Degree only in Rehabilitation Counseling may request for a waiver of up to 12 credits.  The waiver may be granted under the following circumstances: that an equivalent course in regard to curriculum content can be identified in both programs, students received a grade of B or better in each course requested for waiver, courses were completed at a regionally accredited institution.  Students must request the waiver in writing and be able to provide documentation of the course content including a syllabus or course outline as well as an official transcript.  When granting such credits, the Program Director must take into account program accreditation guidelines (CORE). The decision for waiver must be granted by the Program Director and the Dean for Graduate and accreditation requirements will need to be met.  

• Professional Identity
• Social and Cultural Diversity Issues
• Human Growth and Development
• Employment and Career Development
• Counseling and Consultation
• Group Work
• Assessment
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Medical, Functional, Environmental and Psychological Aspects of Disability
• Rehabilitation Services and Resources

Objectives

• To develop professional counselors committed to lifelong learning.
• To promote a thorough understanding of the ethics and standards of practice for rehabilitation counseling.
• To achieve within the student an appreciation of the history and philosophy of rehabilitation counseling, including an understanding of the laws and policies related to disability issues.
• To develop in the student working knowledge of the full range of disabilities and their implications for living and working. Disabilities included for study are physical, psychological, developmental, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, and substance abuse.
• To challenge students to examine situations and choices from a multicultural perspective.
• To assist students in cultivating enduring values consistent to practice that respect human dignity and independent living.
• To learn theories of human development and growth in all areas including physically, cognitive, psychological, familial, behavioral, social, vocational, moral, and spiritual.
• To provide skills in job analysis, marketing, job development, job placement and supported employment options.
• To expand the counseling and consultation skills of students to include working with families and groups for effective systems change.
• To acquaint students with research methodology to become intelligent consumers of research.
• To provide education that assists the students to develop partnerships with individuals with disabilities for effective case management and disability management.