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GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling

The Institute of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (ISRS) at Assumption College offers the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and several certificate programs beyond the Master's Degree. The Graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling offers a unique and challenging Master of Arts degree leading to a variety of careers in human services/allied health. Graduates of the program will be well prepared to seek employment in various rehabilitation, human service, allied health, educational and related settings.
Our graduate program prepares students to provide professional rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with special needs and disabilities.Our graduates have secured positions in public agencies, and educational setting contributing significantly to the quality of life experienced by people with disabilities. Rehabilitation counseling is a profession offering many career opportunities and a high degree of professional fulfillment. The Institute offers the high-level experience and recourses that will lead to a rewarding career as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

To effectively and efficiently assist the rehabilitation client to accomplish these goals, the rehabilitation professional focuses on several major roles and functions including:

  • Counseling
  • Career Development
  • Case Management
  • Disability Management
  • Job Analysis
  • Vocational Assessment
  • Consultation
  • Mediation
  • Consumer Advocacy
  • Environment Modification

The Masters of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling Program

A strong academic component is combined with equally strong experimental components, offering students a unique real-world training experience. The student will master a compressive set of skills, knowledge and competencies and then have the opportunity to put those skills into practice in actual rehabilitation settings.

Several key area of focus are:

  • Interviewing and counseling
  • Assessment and vocational evaluation
  • Appraisal and interpretation of the medical, psychiatric, educational, vocational, sociological and psychological data.
  • Case management and coordination of services
  • Psychosocial and vocational adjustment
  • Supervision and management of rehabilitation personnel

Accreditation

The Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredits the 68-credit MA/CAGS graduate program in the Rehabilitation Counseling. The 50-credit program is currently under review for accreditation by CORE.

Certificate Programs

Students who have completed the Master's Degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling, or an acceptable alternative graduate program, may pursue advanced course work leading to a Graduate Certificate of Advanced Study. The typical student in this program will seek to enhance his/her knowledge and skill in one of the certificate program areas of concentration which include, substance abuse, psychiatric rehabilitation counseling, and supervision of rehabilitation personnel. Programs of study are arranged individually with the student's faculty advisor. The student will be required to complete 18-21 hours of graduate work (which will comprise of a specific course of study approved by their advisor and the ISRS Director) in a specialty area of his/her choice (Substance Abuse, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Supervision).

Certification/Licensure

After students successfully complete the Master's program, they are eligible to take the national examination for certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC) as determined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. To become a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a person must complete a Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling which consisted of 48 semester credit hours and an internship. If the applicant's Master's degree program consisted of less than 48 semester hours, or, if the program of study did not include certain courses and/or an internship, evidence of completion of graduate level courses and/or internship outside of the degree program sufficient to meet the 48 semester hour, course and internship requirements, must be submitted to the Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services for approval.

General Program Descriptions

The graduate program is designed to serve two major populations: (1) graduates of baccalaureate programs in rehabilitation, human services and related disciplines who are interested in pursuing graduate study in rehabilitation services; and (2) current employees of rehabilitation and related human service agencies who want to increase their understanding of and effectiveness with the clientele they serve. Full-time students can complete the program in two years. Part-time students usually complete the program in 3-4 years, but may have up to 7 years to complete all the requirements for the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling.

The Master of Arts degree program in Rehabilitation counseling allows for three options for completing requirements for the Master's degree. These options include:

Full-time Course of Study (68 credits)

This program is designed for students with limited rehabilitation education and experience and wish to enroll in a comprehensive and challenging full-time course of study leading to a Master of Arts Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Rehabilitation Counseling. Students in this program work closely with their faculty advisor to customize their course of study, based on their particular interest areas and career goals. This is done through elective and advanced course work and specialized clinical experience. Students enrolled in this program are eligible to apply for traineeships, graduate assistantships and scholarship funding. Upon successful completion of the academics and clinical requirements of this program students are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam. Students are encouraged to take the CRC exam during their final academic semester.

Full-time or Part-time Course of Study (50 Credits)

The 50 credits Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling can be completed on a full-time bases, but it is specially designed for individuals who have some experience in rehabilitation or related counseling or human service work and would like to pursue a graduate degree on a part-time basis. Students entering this program are required to have at least two continuous years of approved prior work experience, and evidence of ongoing employment in the field of rehabilitation. Recommended courses include: human anatomy and physiology, abnormal psychology, the psychology of human development and statistics. After being admitted to this program, students will be required to take SRS 555 Professional Experience Portfolio Evaluation (for a pass/fail), a one credit course, to demonstrate mastery of professional skills and knowledge, by the time they complete the eighth course (24 hours) in their course of study. This program is available in Worcester and through our off-campus locations in Providence, Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Six-in-Five program Full-time Course of Studies (68 Credits)

This program is designed for Assumption College students who are full time undergraduate majors in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, have demonstrated superior academic performance, and who are interested in pursing a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. An ISRS faculty member must recommend students for the program. Admission to the program will allow the students to begin taking the required graduate courses in their senior year. In the spring of the senior year, the students will be required to officially apply to the graduate program. Upon acceptance, the students may continue their graduate coursework through the summer session and the following academic year. Upon successful completion of the academic and clinical requirements, students will be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. This program allows outstanding students to complete six years full-time academic work in five years.

Concentrations

Students enrolled in the 68-credit MA/CAGS graduate program have the opportunity to customize their program to develop an area of specialization. This can be done by taking elective and advance course-work, and developing specialized practicum and internship experiences that meet the particular interests and career goals of the students. Areas of specialization may include

Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation

Students may consult their academic advisor or the graduate program director to develop a specialized program of studies.

Internship Opportunities

The required Practicum and Internship Seminars allows students to develop a "hands on" experience as a counselor and to integrate theory and practice. Students' selection of an internship site is particularly important because it is here that they acquire the specialized expertise that will advance their careers. Our graduates consistently rate their combined Practicum and internship experience as one of the most rewarding and beneficial components of the program.

Practicum - First Period of Supervised Clinical Practice

The first block of supervised clinical practice takes place during the spring semester. The Guidelines for Supervised Clinical Practice, a publication of the Joint Liaison Committee of the Council of State Directors of Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counselor Educators, was used in the development of the program for the supervised clinical practice. The emphasis is on the counseling relationship for the development of interviewing skills and case study development. Affiliations for supervised clinical practice have been established with state rehabilitation agencies as well as social, educational, and rehabilitation agencies and institutions. The expanding field of rehabilitation is reflected during clinical practice, through programs, which emphasize independent living, corrections, educational problems, substance abuse, gerontology, public welfare, and psychiatric rehabilitation. The Practicum requires 100 hours of supervised fieldwork.

Internship I and II - Second Period of Supervised Clinical Practice

This last block of supervised clinical practice is an Internship designed to facilitate the transition from trainee to professional rehabilitation counselor. Whereas the emphasis in the first block of supervised clinical experience was on interviewing, the emphasis in this block is on counseling - including assessment, appraisal, coping with disability, and placement. At this point, the student is called upon to function in an increasingly independent manner, integrating his/her training and experience. The Internship extends over both the fall and spring semesters. The Internship requires 600 hours of supervised fieldwork.Option for Practicum and Internship Placements include:

Option for Practicum and Internship Placements include:

  • AdCare Hospital of Worcester
  • Alternative Unlimited, Inc
  • Center for Living and Working, Inc.
  • Community Healthlink
  • Department of Mental Health
  • Department of Social Services
  • Fairlawn rehabilitation Hospital
  • Faith House
  • Genesis Club, Inc.
  • Henry Lee Willis Community Center, Inc.
  • Hubbard Regional Hospital -EAP
  • Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
  • Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
  • Northborough Family and Youth Services, Inc.
  • Rape Crisis Center, Inc.
  • Seven Hills Foundation
  • UnumProvident
  • Westborough State Hospital
  • Worcester State Hospital
  • Y.O.U., Inc.

Faculty Advisors

Students enrolled in the program are assigned faculty advisors. Students should consult their advisor about course requirements, selection of electives, and concentration requirements. Students should become familiar with the licensure requirements.

Oral Exams

An oral exam is required for all students in the Master's program. This exam is taken during the student's last semester of study. The objective of the oral exam is for students to demonstrate how they integrate theory, practice, and research related to the training that they have received in Rehabilitation Counseling Program.

Oral exams carry the grade of pass or fail. If a student fails the oral exam, he/she will be given another opportunity to demonstrate competence. Generally, the second exam is given several months later.

 

Did you Know?

The College now offers five graduate programs: Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Special Education, and MBA.

 

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