Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program

Master's Degree

The Department of Special Education’s Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program (RCE) is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and offers graduate coursework leading to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. Consisting of 48 hours of academic coursework and practical experience, the RCE master’s program prepares students to assist people with disabilities in gaining vocational, economic, and functional independence. This coursework may be used in preparation for becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC).

Master's Degree Requirements

Core Areas of Study	M.Ed.
Department Core SED 380 - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in SED/RC OR SED 380 - Cross cultural Interactions in MCSE AND SED 393 - Applied Research in SED/RC	6 hours
Specialization Core consists of 7 courses and 12 hours of internship in the RCE area, selected from: Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Adjustment to Disabling Conditions and Illness Medical-paramedical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling Vocational Assessment and Job Placement Rehabilitation Counseling Theories Prepracticum in Rehabilitation Counseling Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling Internship (12 hours)	33 hours
Supporting Coursework consists of two courses taken outside the Department of Special Education, and a third course approved by the RCE Program.	9 hours
TOTAL:	48 hours

Program Components

Students complete requirements in each of the following core areas:

• The Department Core complements each student’s specialist education in the areas of cultural and linguistic diversity as well as application of research to practice. Students explore issues, trends, and emerging practices related to services for individuals with disabilities from diverse socio-cultural, linguistic, racial and ethnic backgrounds; and develop a framework for culturally and linguistically responsive practice. They also acquire the knowledge and skills required to read, understand, evaluate, and use research to improve professional practice.
• The Specialization Core provides students with specialist expertise through advanced coursework and collaboration with faculty in their chosen area of study.
• Special Education/Rehabilitation Counseling Electives consist of coursework in another specialization within the Department of Special Education that complements the major areas of study and match students’ interests and professional goals. These electives may also include courses related to the thesis or report.
• Supporting Coursework consists of elective coursework in a related discipline outside the Department of Special Education, that complements the major areas of study and matches students’ interests and professional goals.

Core Courses

Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling (Fall).
This course provides an overview of the field of rehabilitation counseling, including its origins, historical and legislative development, philosophical and ethical principles, organizational structure, and trends and issues. The focus is on independent living, supported employment, and Client Assistance Programs.

Adjustment to Disabling Conditions and Illness (Fall).
This course explores the psychosocial, physiological, developmental, and environmental aspects of disability. Social attitudes and stigma are discussed, including self-concept development, somato-psychology, inferior status position, and value changes in acceptance of disability. Severe disabilities such as traumatic brain injury, blindness, and others are also discussed.

Prepracticum in Rehabilitation Counseling (Fall).
Provides students with a supervised experience in rehabilitation counseling, exposing students to learning situations where they can model individuals performing professional roles and functions in community, state, and/or regional rehabilitation agencies.

Medical-Paramedical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling (Spring).
Acquaints students with medical aspects of disabling conditions and the vocational, psychological, developmental, and social ramifications of disability.

Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling (Spring).
Student is supervised in hands-on application of knowledge, techniques, and skills gained through coursework. Face-to-face contact with selected individuals with disabilities in an approved rehabilitation facility is evaluated.

Vocational Assessment and Job Placement (Spring).
Applies career development and job placement concepts to persons with disabilities, focusing on development, occupational choice, vocational counseling, pertinent laws and regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 501-501, and other topics. Additional activities include labor market analyses, identification of and training for job-related skills, and evaluating the quality of supported employment service delivery.

Rehabilitation Counseling Theories (Summer)
This survey of counseling theories includes specific applications in rehabilitation settings such as individual, group, family, and other counseling configurations and their applications. Case management, planning, and service delivery for specific disability groups is also included.

Internship (Fall)
The final semester requires this 600-clock-hour internship in a rehabilitation setting in order to provide students with supervised work experience in a state rehabilitation agency or related nonprofit facility. Settings are selected based on the specialty area of the students, encouraging reciprocal benefit for the student, the agency, and the clients.

Supporting Coursework (Out-of-Department and Special Education Electives)
In consultation with your supervisor, you will elect three courses, at least two of which are from outside the Department of Special Education. An additional course approved by the RCE Program must also be taken.

Area Faculty

James Schaller, Ph.D., (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
Associate Professor
Graduate Adviser
Lee Hage Jamail Regents Chair in Education
Area Coordinator, Rehabilitation Counselor Education

Randall Parker, Ph.D., (University of Missouri - Columbia)
Professor
Melissa Elizabeth Stuart Centennial Professor in Education