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Degrees and Schools
The most common degree pursued for this career is a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. Degrees in social work, mental health counseling, special education or occupational therapy may also lead to a career in rehabilitation counseling. Before beginning a study program, students should check their state's licensing website and local job listings to see what the educational requirements are for licensing and employment. Rehabilitation counseling programs should be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). These degree programs can be found at numerous universities across the country.
Coursework
Rehabilitation counseling degrees includes courses such as those listed below:
- principles and practices of rehabilitation counseling
- assessment in counseling and rehabilitation
- group counseling
- medical and psychosocial aspects of disability
- substance abuse counseling
- rehabilitative assistive technology
- career development
- case management
- psychiatric rehabilitation
Online Classes and Programs
Online rehabilitation counseling programs are relatively new and still limited in number, but growing. These programs are mostly at the master's level and are typically designed for working adults and career changers. They can usually be taken at a slower pace than a traditional, full-time program so that students can continue working. As with traditional programs, they should be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Internship placement may require students take greater responsibility than they would in a campus-based program.
Employment Requirements
Rehabilitation counselors must be licensed in all states and Washington D.C. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is one of the more common license designations. Most employers and many state licensing boards require rehabilitation counselors to be a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) which is a certification administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). This certification requires a master's degree and a passing grade on the CRC certification exam. If the master's (or doctoral) program was not in rehabilitation counseling, students will need to have taken coursework specific to this profession.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
Some questions that are useful to ask when choosing a rehabilitation counselor program are listed below:
- Accreditation - Is the program accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)?
- Internships - Are internships available in settings which match the student's career goals? How are internship placements secured?
- Certification - Does the program prepare students to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam? Does the program meet the requirements of the CRC certification?
- State Licensing - Does the program meet the requirements of the state licensing board where the student expects to work? If not, is there a way to meet the course requirements at another school or to adjust the field placement to meet the requirements?
- Costs - What are the tuition and fee charges? How much financial aid is a student likely to be given? Will the student need to take out loans that will be difficult to pay back given their likely future salary?
Rehabilitation Counselor Job Description
Individuals who have emotional or physical disabilities resulting from a birth defect, illness, disease or accident often need additional support to improve their quality of lives. Rehabilitation Counselors play a key role in helping disabled people to increase their independence through coordination of medical care, vocational training, job placement and other services, taking into consideration their clients' limitations and strengths. They often take on a case manager role, conferring with physicians, teachers, mental health counselors, employers and therapists to create a rehabilitation plan for their clients. Rehabilitation Counselors work for vocational rehabilitation centers, human services providers, schools, job training centers, independent living centers, substance abuse rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities and other health care organizatons.
Depending on the position, rehabilitation counselors may have some of the following responsibilities:
- conducting assessments
- consulting with physicians, therapists and educators
- creating rehabilitation plans
- arranging support services
- assisting with job searches and career planning
- advocating for client
- providing life skills and/or job training
Resources
American Rehabilitation Counseling Association - The ARCA is an organization of rehabilitation counseling professionals, educators and students that's mission is to improve the rehabilitation counseling profession in its service to those with disabilities. They are involved with public education, legislative activities, research findings and promotion of standards and appropriate licensing.
National Council on Rehabilitation Education - The NCRE is a professional organization which provides education and conducts rehabilitation research with the goal of improving rehabilitation counseling services.
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) - This organization administers the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification which is required by many employers and state licensing boards.
American Counseling Association - The ACA is a professional and educational organization which represents counselors working in various practice settings. They provide leadership training, publications, continuing education and advocacy to help counseling professionals enhance their knowledge and skills.
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