Rehabilitation Counseling
With the creation and amendment of laws regarding independent living rehabilitation and disability, there is an ever-increasing need for qualified rehabilitation counselors and related professionals. We empower human services professionals to advance their skills to deliver multidimensional rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, impairments, addictions, as well as other medical and psychiatric conditions.
Our particular focus is to strengthen diverse representation in the industry. We train underrepresented populations to work knowledgeably in various independent, private, and public rehabilitation settings. Interested in learning more? Reach out to a faculty advisor for information about the program.
Learn how to:
- Address multidimensional needs of clients from diverse backgrounds
- Apply theory to practice in therapeutic settings
Increasing Representation in the Field
The Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares students to meet the growing need for qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors. It builds on foundational skills learned in the undergraduate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counseling concentration in our Applied Psychology and Rehabilitation Services programs. Starting Fall 2021, students admitted into the program will be required to enroll in the 60-hour program. The program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
There are several specialization options within the graduate program:
- Alcoholism Counseling and Addiction Services
- Human Resource Management
- Rehabilitation Research Training
750+ Course Options
The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.
Program Mission
The Rehabilitation Counseling Program (RCP) is committed to preparing a diverse population of students as lifelong learners for employment in the counseling profession to: provide high quality graduate education in rehabilitation counseling leading to a Master’s Degree, which prepares graduate students to be qualified rehabilitation counselors and licensed clinical professional counselors, and; provide students with sufficient quality academic and internships, practicum, and experiential opportunities to ensure the provision of high quality professional vocational, clinical counseling, and other rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities and individuals with most significant disabilities.
The goals of the RCP are to increase the number of professional personnel available to enhance the quality of specialized counseling services to a wide and diverse group of consumer populations, and to maintain and upgrade basic skills of personnel employed as providers of vocational rehabilitation and clinical counseling services to individuals with disabilities or mental health needs.
Program Objectives
- Training specialized professional personnel in vocational rehabilitation who are able to provide high quality vocational rehabilitation counseling and independent living services to individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with significant disabilities;
- Providing a Masters level vocational rehabilitation and clinical counseling education program to develop counselors who are trained to address the multidimensional needs of clients/consumers from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- Meeting personnel needs for vocational rehabilitation and clinical counseling personnel in the state-federal programs, community rehabilitation programs, private sector, and other rehabilitation agencies and organizations;
- Providing opportunities for national certification, state licensure, and for rehabilitation counseling and human services personnel to upgrade skills, and;
- Preparing vocational rehabilitation and clinical counselors to work in varied rehabilitation and counseling settings prepared to address professional issues, community needs, and the needs of persons with disabilities all consistent with the program’s mission and objectives.
Program Requirements
To graduate with a Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling, students choose a specialization and complete 49 hours of coursework. Students pursuing coursework full-time (9 credits) can complete the program in 2 ½ years. The program requires courses in 3 areas:
- Academic studies
- Clinical work
- Internship
Each chart in this section explains course offerings and requirements
Foundation Courses (6 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 513 | 3 | Introduction to Rehabilitation |
| REHB 516 | 3 |
Theories and Techniques of Counseling |
Core Courses (21 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 502 | 3 | Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability |
| REHB 503 | 3 |
Psychiatric Aspects of Disability |
| REHB 508 | 3 | Legal and Ethical Issues for the Professional Counselor |
| REHB 521 | 3 | Seminar in Occupational Information and Rehabilitation Placement |
| REHB 535 | 3 | Community Resources in Mental and Physical Health |
| REHB 536 | 3 | Casework and Caseload Management |
| REHB 636 | 3 | Multicultural Counseling |
Measurement and Research (6 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 581 | 3 | Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (requires REHB 582 as a prerequisite) |
| REHB 598 | 3 | Vocational Evaluation and Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities |
Field Work and Internship (10 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 525 | 3 | Practicum (requires REHB 526 as a prerequisite) |
| REHB 526 | 3 |
Internship I (200 clock hours-supervised agency training) |
| REHB 527 | 3 | Internship II (200 clock hours-supervised agency training) |
| REHB 528 | 3 | Internship III (200 clock hours-supervised agency training) |
Recommended Electives (6 credits)
** Licensure courses may be used to meet electives requirements.
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 500 | 3 | Sign Language I |
| REHB 501 | 3 | Sign Language II |
| REHB 514 | 3 | Independent Living |
| REHB 602 ** | 3 | Foundations of Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling I |
| REHB 603 ** | 3 | Foundations of Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling II |
| REHB 604 ** | 3 | Law and Forensic Rehabilitation Consultant |
| REHB 605 ** | 3 | Orientation to Forensic Vocational Practice |
| REHB 610 | 3 | Organization and Administration of Counseling and Rehabilitation Programs |
| PSYC 501 ** | 3 | Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities |
| PSYC 512 | 3 | Mental Health |
| PSYC 529 ** | 3 | Seminar in Human Growth and Development |
| PSYC 612 ** | 3 | Group Counseling |
| PSYC 625 ** | 3 | Psychotherapy and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders |
| PSYC 627 | 3 | Counseling and Spirituality |
| PSYC 645 ** | 3 | Professional Counselor Internship I |
| PSYC 646 ** | 3 | Professional Counselor Internship II |
Required Research for Program Completion
To complete the program, students must choose a research option, Option I or Option II. All degree-seeking students must complete a research option:
- Option I: Coursework and research
- REHB 581 Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits), in addition to the completion of the comprehensive examination.
- Option II: Coursework and master’s thesis
- REHB 581 Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
- REHB 582 Seminar Rehabilitation Research (3 credits)
- REHB 583 Thesis Project I (3 credits)
- REHB 584 Thesis Project II (3 credits)
Note: Any graduate student who has not completed a basic undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a B or better must take EDUC 581, Statistics in Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Field work and Internship
The field work experience complements academic coursework. It allows students to apply theory to practice by earning clinically supervised hours in therapeutic settings. Students currently employed in a rehabilitation setting may use their job site as an approved field work facility. To satisfy the field work component, students must complete a practicum and internship.
Practicum Component
The practicum component requires completion of:
- REHB 525, Practicum (1 credit)
- 100 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in a rehabilitation setting
Internship Component
The internship component requires completion of:
- REHB 526, Internship I and 200 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (3 credits)
- REHB 527, Internship II and 200 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (3 credits)
- REHB 528, Internship III and 200 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (3 credits)
Students must have earned at least 150 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in a rehabilitation setting to successfully complete each of the internship courses.
Specializations
Program specializations allow students to pursue further study into a specific area of rehabilitation and human services.
Human Resource Management
This specialization prepares students to be rehabilitation counselors who qualify for administrative roles in human services agencies. Coursework focuses on human resources, employment and training, as well as public administration, and also includes a practicum in human resources administration.
Students generally follow the Rehabilitation Services graduate curriculum, with the addition of 18 credit hours in the specialization and 90 clock hours of supervised clinical experience. Each student receives a personalized program plan based on their particular area of interest and foundational knowledge.
Specialization Courses
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 611 | 3 | Public Employment Policy Analysis |
| REHB 612 | 3 |
Labor Market Theory and Analysis |
| REHB 613 | 3 | Human Resources Program Management |
| REHB 614 | 3 | Practicum in Human Resources Administration ( 90 clock hours-supervised field experience) |
| CRJU 553 | 3 | Public Administration |
| CRJU 574 | 3 | Research for Planning |
Master's coursework also provides opportunity for students to earn a specialized certificate:
Certificate Programs
Assistive Technology
Counselor Certification and Licensure
Forensic Rehabilitation
Job Development and Job Placement Services
Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment
Program at a Glance
Learn more about the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Coppin State University.
Rehabilitation Counseling is in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Behavioral Health in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.