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– Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/supersite/academics/catalogs/graduate/current/rehabcounseling.html

College of Allied Health and Nursing
Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services

103 Armstrong Hall
507-389-1414

 

Master's level training in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares students for employment as counselors who provide services to individuals with a wide range of different disabling conditions and disabilities. Graduates of this nationally accredited (CORE) program work in federal, state, and not-for-profit community agencies, as well as business and industry settings in the for-profit sector.

Rehabilitation counseling involves integration of the client's life situation including personal, family, medical, psychological, social and career factors. In addition to counseling, rehabilitation counselors typically provide case management and case coordination services, working jointly with clients to access a variety of resources and services that are relevant to the individual's rehabilitation goal(s). Rehabilitation counselors frequently work in interdisciplinary relationships and team with other professional specialists such as physicians, therapists, psychologists, social workers, educators, vocational evaluators, job placement specialists, and employers.

This 48 credit program allows open entry (students can begin any academic term), but is structured for students who begin in the fall to graduate after approximately two years of full-time enrollment. Classes are conducted on Wednesdays and Fridays and part-time study is an option for students who intend to complete the program in more than two years. Completion of 900 hours of field experience in a rehabilitation agency or a similar social service setting is generally the final requirement for graduation. In many instances students are able to obtain paid internships. Upon, or close to completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification (CRC) examination. Demand for master's level rehabilitation counselors is strong and graduates have a very good employment outlook in the profession of rehabilitation counseling.

Admission

Majors in this degree program are admitted upon application of the College of Graduate Studies and Research based upon GPA from the last 90 credits from a quarter system or 60 credits from a semester system of undergraduate work and/or graduate level work completed after earning an undergraduate degree, but prior to applying to this program. Generally, a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required, although students with less than a 3.0 GPA can request consideration for admittance on a provisional basis.

In addition to being admitted by the College of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must be recommended for admission by faculty of the Department. Faculty recommendations will be based upon the applicant's 300-500 word Statement of Purpose and the applicant's three Letters of Recommendation which are provided by a combination of academic and professional sources. In some instances, applicants may be asked to participate in an interview or additional selection procedures. Priority for admission will be provided to those applicants who are applying to begin in the fall semester and whose application materials are received by March 1st, prior to the fall semester in which the applicant intends to begin the program. Other applicants will be considered if program vacancies exist. Full-time or part-time study are equally encouraged, based on student needs or preferences.

Financial Aid

Students are referred to the MSU Office of Financial Aid where information on financial aid resources can be provided. In some instances scholarships of varying amounts are available to Rehabilitation Counseling students. Program faculty will keep students informed of available scholarship opportunities. Some Rehabilitation Counseling students also obtain Graduate Assistant appointments in the Department or in other campus settings such as the Cultural Diversity Program, the Office of Disabled Students Services, the Learning Center, and others. Inquiries about Graduate Assistantships should be directed to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Rehabilitation Counseling MS

(Thesis, Alternate Plan Paper or Portfolio - 48 credits)

Required Core

  • REHB 612 – Foundations of Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHB 617 – Medical Aspects of Disability (3)
  • REHB 619 – Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (3)
  • REHB 625 – Research and Issues in Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHB 640 – Theory in Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHB 651 – Rehabilitation Counseling Techniques (3)
  • REHB 661 – Case Management in Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHB 681 – Vocational Measurement and Evaluation Techniques (3)
  • REHB 688 – Career Planning and Development in Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHB 692 – Rehabilitation Counseling Practicum (3)
  • REHB 698 – Internship

Required Elective

Elective in Cultural Diversity or Cultural Pluralism (graduate level course(s) selected by student in consultation with an advisor)

Research Portfolio

Most Rehabilitation Counseling students produce a Research Portfolio that is developed over the period of time that the student is completing coursework. The Research Portfolio usually serves as an alternative to a Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper. Any student who desires to complete a Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper has the option to do so, in consultation with the academic advisor.

Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation

The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation prepares qualified rehabilitation professionals for providing expert witness and consultant services to the courtss in a variety of civil ("tort") litigation venues, including: personal injury; product liability; Worker's Compensation; Social Security disability; employment law; discrimination; catastrophic injury with a Life Care Plan; professional malpractice; divorce; wrongful death of an adult or child; and other related areas. Primarily, the Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Expert/Consultant will address issues surrounding the impact of physical, mental, and/or emotional injury on the plaintiff and family members, in relation to loss of earnings/wages, loss of functional capacities, ongoing medical and psychological needs, loss of capacity to perform household duties, and other aspects of losses incurred, depending upon laws governing a particular case and what damages can be sought.

Rehabilitation Counselor's, Vocational Evaluators, and professionals in related disciplines gave been serving as Vocational Experts for the Social Security Administration, as part of the disability determination process for award of SSI and SSDI benefits since the mid-1960's. Over the course of the last 40 years, the use of vocational rehabilitation experts and consultants by the courts has expanded greatly. This foundation and the growing number of Senior citizens should result in continued growth in demand for forensic experts.

The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation requires satisfactory completion of the following 5 courses (15 credits), which are offered online only:

REHB 670 Foundations of Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Consultation (3)

REHB 672 Law and the Forensic Rehabilitation Consultant (3)

REHB 674 Socioeconomic Costs of Acquired Disability (3)

REHB 676 Case Analysis and Opinion Development (3)

REHB 678 Presenting Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation (3)

Course Descriptions

REHB 524 (3) Rehabilitation of the Chemically Dependent

Exploration and development of research and entry-level skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, service provision, and after-care with chemically dependent persons, particularly those with co-existing physical and mental conditions.

REHB 590 (1-2) Workshop

REHB 612 (3) Foundations of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation principles practices, philosophy, and history of rehabilitation will be addressed in various settings. Trends, legislation, and service delivery systems will be investigated. (Fall)

REHB 617 (3) Medical Aspects of Disability

Basic medical information essential to understanding the functional limitations and rehabilitation implications of individuals with disabling conditions. Information on the etiology, prognosis, potential complications, treatment procedures, rehabilitation strategies, and vocational implications will be addressed with respect to a representative sample of disabling conditions. In addition, an introduction to medical and therapeutic services, restorative techniques, and some medical terminology will be provided. (Fall)

REHB 619 (3) Psychosocial Aspects of Disability

Overview of the psychological and social aspects of disability with an emphasis on diversity of experience among individuals with disabilities and their families. The impact of social and psychological aspects of disability on public attitudes, public policy, and law will be examined. The adjustment process experienced by individuals with disabilities and their families will be examined from the perspective of the personal and social context in which adjustment occurs. (Fall)

REHB 625 (3) Research & Issues in Rehabilitation

Critical review of recent research findings and related practices in rehabilitation and allied disciplines. (Spring)

REHB 640 (3) Theory in Rehabilitation

Beginning theory and related techniques of counseling and vocational development are presented utilizing lecture and role play to convey key concepts in rehabilitation counseling.

REHB 651 (3) Rehabilitation Counseling Techniques

Applied theory and techniques in rehabilitation counseling are presented, including specific applications to various disabilities in both groups and individual practice. Interactions are required in addition to regular class meetings.

REHB 661 (3) Case Management in Rehabilitation

The student is involved in all phases of interviewing, counseling, diagnosis, assessment, planning, and analysis, transferable skills analysis, and integration of the knowledge and skills required of practicing rehabilitation counseling.

REHB 670 (3) Foundations of Forensic Rehabilitation Consultation

Roles and functions of rehabilitation professionals who provide expert opinion or consultation services in litigation. Overview of types of relevant litigation: workerÕs compensation; personal injury; professional malpractice; catastropic injury; and others. Legal terminology. Establishing forensic consultation practice.


REHB 672 (3) Law and the Forensic Rehabilitation Consultant

Legal procedures, precedents, venues applying to forensic rehabilitation consultation. Qualificiations under Daubert and Kumho. Ethical practices, admissibility, rules of evidence, discovery, deposition and trial testimony, direct/cross examination, detailed coverage of areas of litigation requiring rehabilitation opinions and consultation.

REHB 674 (3) Socioeconomic Costs of Acquired Disability

Socioeconomic impact of acquired disabilities on individuals, their families, and estates. Data sources and models for determining damages of lost earnings, fringe benefits, household services, consortium, Life Care Plans. Assumptions, methods, reliability and validity of data, acceptable standards of practice.

REHB 676 (3) Case Analysis and Opinion Development

Application of structured model for critical review of forensic opinions of forensic rehabilitation consultants. Current issues in the use of transferable skills analysis, commerical software, D.O.T. and O*NET, labor market information, Life Care Plans, and others.

REHB 677 (1-4) Individual Study

A project performed, with prior approval, under the close supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: permission

REHB 678 (3) Providing Rehabilitation Opinion: Case Simulation

Case simulation in which all steps in determining a rehabilitation expert opinion are covered; retention by attorney through delivery of testimony at deposition and/or trial. Selected case simulations used from personal injury, catastrophic injury, and other areas of litigation.

Prerequisite: REHB 670, 672, 674, 676; full admission to Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation and permission of instructor of record.

REHB 681 (3) Vocational Measurement and Evaluation Techniques

Through readings and by taking and administering diverse tests, the student will gain knowledge of the theory and methods of test construction, appropriateness of individual tests, and practical applications of measurement and evaluation.

REHB 688 (3) Career Planning and Development in Rehabilitation

Overview of career development theories. Relates career development to the challenges and barriers associated with disability. Employment development, job seeking and job retention factors that pertain to employment, and career planning for individuals with disabilities who participate in rehabilitation programs are examined.

REHB 691 (1-6) Inservice

REHB 692 (3) Rehabilitation Counseling Practicum

Provides the student with an individualized learning opportunity related to development and enhancement of direct counseling competencies through supervised, applied counseling experience in a public or private agency that provides counseling and related rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Enrollment in the rehabilitation counseling practicum requires successful completion (grade "B" or better) of REHB 651 - Rehabilitation Counseling Techniques or comparable counseling competence as demonstrated by a method determined through academic advisement. Typically, the rehabilitation counseling practicum will be completed prior to enrollment in the rehabilitation counseling internship or through academic advisement, concurrently with initiation of the internship.

REHB 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper

Writing a paper utilizing substantial bibliographic research under the direction of a faculty member.

Prerequisite: permission

REHB 698 (1-15) Internship

The student provides a comprehensive array of professional rehabilitation services, including counseling and case management services at an accredited rehabilitation agency, facility, or program under the coaching of a qualified counselor-coach and university supervisor before entering professional employment.

Prerequisite: permission

REHB 699 (3-6) Thesis

Performance of a formal research paper under the direction of a graduate faculty member.

Prerequisite: permission