Rehabilitation Counseling with Mental Health Specialization

Program Curriculum

• Learning Objectives
  1. To prepare students to be eligible to receive LMHC licensure.
  2. To provide supervised clinical practicum and internship experiences that prepare students to engage in effective rehabilitation counseling practices in a mental health counseling capacity consistent with the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors.
  3. To acquire essential knowledge related to fundamental mental health concepts (psychopathology, counseling skills, assessment, mental health counseling ethics, trauma informed care, substance abuse counseling)
  4. To educate students in the following core rehabilitation counselor practice domains: effective counseling techniques, assessment, group and family counseling, case management, community resource utilization, job development and placement, rehabilitation planning, vocational counseling, rehabilitation technology, rehabilitation research utilization, and ethical mental health practices, developmental psychopathology, and other selected special mental health topics.
  5. To educate students in counseling and rehabilitation principles and practices so that they can assist persons with disabilities, including mental health disorders, to maximize their employment and independent living potential including applying the principles of caseload management and providing appropriate rehabilitation services.
  6. To enhance employment and career development through a course of study that addresses current and emerging professional issues, community needs, and the needs of people with disabilities including consumer-centered practice, assessment, job placement, assistive technology, job modification, informed choice, and empowerment.
  7. To prepare students to become nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).
• Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) Scholarship Awards

  Assumption University is excited to offer RSA Scholarships to students pursuing graduate level education in the Rehabilitation Counseling program.  Students who receive scholarships under this program are required to “pay back” their scholarship through paid employment after graduation in public agencies that support the state-federal rehabilitation program. Typical settings include State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies or non-profit organizations that have service arrangements (often in the form of contracts to provide services for) with State Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Federally funded agencies that provide rehabilitation services also meet the payback requirement.   Assumption has been awarded multiple RSA awards that provide support to slightly different groups of students.

   

  How do you become eligible for the scholarship?

  • Apply to the MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Enroll full-time in one of the following formats:
  • Online program (2-3 classes per semester)
  • Blended program (4 classes per semester)
  • Commit to completing the post-graduation work
  payback requirement (details will be provided to you during the application process)

  Note: Tuition awards are based on available funds and
  typically exceed $25,000 per student, covering at least half
  of the total tuition cost.

• Oral Exams

  Required Competency Testing

  All students graduating from either the Master of Arts or CAGS programs must pass a competency exam. Students in the Master’s degree program are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam during their final semester. Students who choose to take the exam and pass the exam meet the competency exam requirement. Students who choose not to take it, are not eligible to take it (often the case for CAGS program students), or who do not pass the CRC exam must take a Comprehensive Oral Exam.

• Practicum and Internship

  The Clinical Component 
  The clinical component of the program is comprised of a 100 hour practicum experience over 1 semester, and a 600 hour internship experience over 2 semesters. These experiences provide an opportunity for the student to integrate theory and practice in a “hands on” environment. Our graduates consistently rate their combined practicum and internship experience as one of the most rewarding and beneficial parts of the program, which often leads to jobs upon graduation.

  Practicum – First Phase of Supervised Clinical Practice 
  The 100 hour practicum experience places emphasis on the counseling relationship and the development of fundamental counseling and interviewing skills. Students are required to complete audio or videotaped counseling sessions during their practicum experience. Students receive weekly individual and group supervision during the practicum session, and have opportunities to get feedback regarding the development of their counseling skills. There is also an emphasis on identifying and addressing ethical issues that may arise in the counseling relationship. Formal supervisor and student self-evaluations are required upon completing the practicum experience.

  Internship I and II – Second Phase of Supervised Clinical Practice 
  The second component of supervised practical experience is the 600 hour internship. The Internship in Rehabilitation Counseling usually requires 21 hours, or 3 full days per week over the final 2 semesters of the program. The internship provides students with the opportunity to experience the wide range of duties and responsibilities of a rehabilitation counselor, and to participate in all aspects of the delivery of rehabilitation counseling services. Students receive regular supervision from an on-site supervisor, and individual and Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling group supervision by the faculty supervisor and seminar leader. The student’s professional development and growth are closely monitored and evaluated to ensure that the student is acquiring the skills required of a professional rehabilitation counselor position.

  Sampling of Practicum and Internship Placement Options in Central Massachusetts
  • AdCare Hospital of Worcester
  • AIDS Project Worcester
  • Alternatives Unlimited, Inc.
  • Center for Living and Working, Inc.
  • Community Healthlink
  • Department of Mental Health
  • Department of Children and Families
  • Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Faith House
  • Genesis Club, Inc.
  • Hubbard Regional Hospital – EAP
  • Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
  • Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
  • Northborough Family and Youth Services, Inc.
  • Seven Hills Foundation
  • Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Unum Insurance Company
  • Veterans Inc.
  • Worcester Public Schools
  • Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital
  • Y.O.U., Inc.

  Online Students – Practicum and internship placements are developed in the student’s local geographical area.

• Course Descriptions
  Course Descriptions
• Mission

  The mission of the Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program is to provide a full array of sequenced and integrated courses of professional study that addresses current and emerging professional issues, community needs and the needs of people with disabilities. Students will acquire the needed knowledge, competencies, values, and professional identity to provide individuals with significant disabilities the assistance and opportunities they need to achieve high quality employment, independence living and active participation in their communities.

• Program Course Sequence
  Rehab Counseling Program Course Sequence LMHC