The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program prepares students for careers in a variety of counseling settings with the primary goal of acquiring and applying the specialized knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to collaborate in a professional relationship with people who have disabilities to achieve their personal, social, psychological, and vocational goals.

Testimonials - Read about our recent graduates

REHABILITATION COUNSELING DIRECTOR

Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D. CRC, CPRP
McGurrin Room 437
Email: rebecca.dalgin@scranton.edu
Office phone: 570-941-7819
Department phone: 570-941-4236
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REHABILITATION COUNSELING MISSION STATEMENT

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program prepares students for careers in a variety of counseling settings with the primary goal of acquiring and applying the specialized knowledge, skills, and values that will enable them to effectively assist and support individuals with disabilities throughout the rehabilitation process. The Rehabilitation Program works towards this goal by creating an environment which encourages a commitment to life long learning, critical thinking, resource development, creative problem solving, the development of a professional network, and appreciation of the skills and abilities of persons with disabilities.
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REHABILITATION COUNSELING OBJECTIVES

The Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares rehabilitation counselors and related Rehabilitation Professionals for entry into and/or advancement in counseling-related positions in public and private rehabilitation agencies, organizations, and systems.

The program offers a learning environment in which the student can acquire the academic competencies of the profession and refine them through supervised practical experience. The program also provides a facilitative process through which the student can increase self-understanding, self-confidence, and personal effectiveness.  For more specific information, please review the Rehabilitation Counseling Objectives.

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REHABILITATION COUNSELING PROGRAM CURRICULUM

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program underwent a full curriculum review and revision in 2018 to be in compliance with upcoming changes from our CACREP accreditation and PA licensure. Starting in the fall of 2019, the program is a 60 credit curriculum leading to the Master of Science degree.  Our program is divided into four areas of study that include 27 credits of Counseling Foundations, 18 hours of Rehabilitation Core, 6 credits of electives, and 9 credits of Clinical Competencies, which is comprised of a three credit practicum (100 hours of supervised counseling experience) and six credits of internship (600 hours of supervised field experience). For specific course information, please review the Rehabilitation Counseling Program Manual. 

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REHABILITATION COUNSELING PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The Rehabilitation Counseling program at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit University, is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through 2023.  The program now requires 60 credits.  However, for students who have completed the previous 48 credit program we offer a 12-credit Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) to allow students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania.  An accelerated program (12 graduate credits) is available for academically talented Counseling and Human Services undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Rehabilitation Counseling master’s degree.

The program seeks to admit a yearly cohort of 10-15 students. The admission process occurs in both the fall and spring semesters. Student outcomes are evaluated yearly as part of an overall program evaluation. The Program is situated within the Counseling and Human Services department which also has graduate accredited programs in both School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling along with an undergraduate program in Counseling and Human Services. An undergraduate concentration in Rehabilitation is also available.

Total Number of students majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling

2016 - 2017 AY - 19

2017 - 2018 AY - 16

2018 - 2019 AY - 19

Total number of Rehabilitation Counseling students enrolled

2016 - 2017 AY - 8

2017 - 2018 AY - 8

2018 - 2019 AY - 6

Average time to complete the program

The majority of students complete the program in a 2-3 year time period. The Graduate School policy allows students up to six years to complete their graduate studies.

Passing rates on the RC student portfolio and clinical components

For the past three academic years, all students passed the clinical requirements in practicum and internship.  Additionally, all students have successfully completed a professional portfolio and have met the expectations of professional behavior outlined in the “Fit for the Profession” document. All students are encouraged to apply and take the National Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam. Our current passing rate for the CRC exam over the 5 year period of 2012-2017 is 86% (national passing rate for that period was 72%).

Total number of Rehabilitation Counseling student graduates

2016 - 2017 AY - 6

2017 - 2018 AY - 9

2018 - 2019 AY - 4

Career Placement rates

Of the 9 Rehabilitation Counseling graduates from 2017-2018, one (1) is employed in the state-federal vocational rehabilitation program, two (2) are employed in the area of substance abuse, four(4) are employed in the behavioral health field, one (1) is employed in community rehabilitation programs, and one (1) is employed in a higher education disability support program.

Program attrition/retention rates

The retention rate for the period of 2016-2018 was 91%.  During this time period, one student left during the program for health reasons and one left the program due to academic and personal difficulty.

Financial considerations

A rehabilitation counseling student initiating a course of graduate study at the University of Scranton will be eligible for a guaranteed tuition rate based on the initial academic term for a total of three calendar years. In order to be eligible for this program, the student must maintain and successfully complete a total of at least nine graduate credit hours per year. As long as this requirement is satisfied, the guaranteed rate can continue for a period not to exceed 36 months from the date of initial enrollment. If the student does not satisfy the above requirements, or the 36 month limit is exceeded, the student will be charged tuition at the current academic year's rate.

The 2018-2019 AY tuition rate is $757 per credit. There are graduate assistantships that students can apply for upon application to the program.  However, these are limited in number and highly competitive so students are encouraged to apply early for full consideration.

Licensure 

The Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors is the state body responsible for licensing professional counselors. PA recognizes the CACREP accredited Rehabilitation Counseling program and the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam as part of the requirements for licensure.

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THE REHABILITATION COUNSELING PROFESSION

According to the National Council on Rehabilitation Education, a Rehabilitation Counselor is a counselor who possesses the specialized knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to collaborate in a professional relationship with people who have disabilities to achieve their personal, social, psychological and vocational goals.  The rehabilitation counselor determines and coordinates services for people with disabilities during the entire rehabilitation process, and is the primary professional to manage components of the rehabilitation process.  Rehabilitation counselors assist persons with physical, mental, emotional, or social impairments which may result from birth, illness and disease, work-related injuries, automobile accidents, and the stresses of war, work, and daily life.  Roles and responsibilities of the rehabilitation counselor include:  counseling to assist the individual with a disability to deal with social and personal problems, plan careers, and find and keep satisfying jobs; advocacy to assist individuals as both professional organizations and advocacy groups address environmental, social attitudinal barriers which create obstacles for people with disabilities; evaluation of an individual's capacity for independent living and employment through use of assessment procedures and through arranging for medical, psychological, and vocational evaluations and through consultation with physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, vocational evaluators, rehabilitation engineers, rehabilitation technologists, and other allied health professionals; recommending and arranging appropriate rehabilitation services such as medical care, psychological services, educational services, return to work, vocational training, and job placement; working with employers and other rehabilitation professionals to identify and/or modify jobs and work tasks; and engaging in job development and placement efforts with individuals with disabilities.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The U.S. Department of Labor 2016-2026 forecasts that Rehabilitation Counseling is expected to grow by 13 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations.  Career opportunities in rehabilitation counseling are excellent.  Rehabilitation counselor education programs are not graduating sufficient numbers of qualified students to fill current and anticipated rehabilitation counseling vacancies.  In addition, in many settings rehabilitation counselors work in positions with other job titles such as counselor, job placement specialist, alcohol and drug abuse counselor, probation and parole officer, mental health counselor,  marriage and family counselor, independent living specialist, case manager, vocational evaluator, trainer, educator, disabled student services coordinator, and administrator.  Employment settings for rehabilitation counselors include:  state rehabilitation agencies, comprehensive rehabilitation centers, universities and other school settings, insurance companies, private-for-profit rehabilitation companies, substance abuse rehabilitation programs, correctional centers, developmental disability agencies, mental health clinics, rehabilitation units in hospitals, veterans administration centers, special education/transition programs, vocational schools, programs for the elderly, independent living centers, employee assistance programs, residential programs, counseling centers, head injury rehabilitation centers, and other human service programs serving people with developmental and/or acquired disabilities. The number of people who will need rehabilitation counseling will increase as the size of the elderly population, whose members become injured or disabled at a higher rate than other age groups, increases and as treatment for mental health related disabilities increases.

The University of Scranton offers career counseling services to its students through the Gerard R. Roche Center for Career Development. Click here to see all that the Center for Career Development has to offer.
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REHABILITATION COUNSELING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). We are proud to announce that in August of 2015, the program was reaccredited for a term of eight years from 2015-2023 with no conditions. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Hence, graduates are eligible to sit for the national qualifying examination to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
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REHABILITATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) was established in 1974.  The primary purpose of certification is to establish professional standards whereby persons with disabilities, related professionals, agency administrators, and the general public can evaluate the qualifications of persons practicing rehabilitation counseling and to provide assurances that professionals engaged in rehabilitation counseling will meet acceptable standards of quality in practice.  Certification is the process whereby a profession gives recognition to an individual who has fulfilled certain requirements or standards, as pre-determined by that profession.

To be eligible to sit for the CRCC examination, applicants must meet all requirements in one of 10 categories.  The two categories most relevant for students in the rehabilitation counseling program at the University of Scranton are:

Category A:  For persons having a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program with an internship of 600 clock-hours supervised by a certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Category G:  For students working towards a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.  In order to be eligible, a student must [a] be enrolled in a Master's degree program in rehabilitation counseling that is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); [b] have completed 75% of the coursework toward a Master's degree by the application date for the CRCC examination for which he/she is applying; and, [c] have completed an internship in rehabilitation counseling of 600 hours supervised by a CRC by graduation.

A student who applies before the appropriate deadline and qualifies under Category G may sit for the CRCC examination on the scheduled administration date.  However, the individual's examination results, profile, and certificate will be released only when CRCC received an official transcript showing Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling was granted.  The "CRC" designation may not be used by these individuals until they have received their examination profiles indicating that they passed the Certification Examination. For the period of 2012-2017 Rehabilitation Counseling Students who have taken the CRC exam have exceeded the national average. Applications are available on-line at the CRCC website.
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CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY (CAGS) IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING

The Department offers a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Professional Counseling (CAGSPC), which is designed to meet the legislated educational requirements of Pennsylvania Act 136 of 1998 - The Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act.  The Certificate allows students to obtain a minimum of 12 additional graduate credits in professional counseling that can partially fulfill requirements for counselor licensure in Pennsylvania.

A minimum of 60 graduate credits in professional counseling must be attained before the CAGSPC is granted.  Each student will design a plan of study in conjunction with his/her Program Director that addresses licensure education requirements and the student's unique needs. Specific course work and clinical instruction requirements are subject to modification by the State Board.  Further information is available in The College of Graduate and Continuing Education Catalog.
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ACCELERATED B.S./M.S. DEGREE PROGRAM

Undergraduate Human Services majors with outstanding academic records may be eligible for early admission to the Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program through the Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master's Degree Program.

Interested students must commit to this program no later than the end of their junior year of academic study, adhere to the time frame for application as outlined in The College of Graduate and Continuing Education Catalog, and meet specific admissions criteria. Visit the Accelerated B.S./M.S. Degree website for more information.
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REHABILITATION COUNSELING PROGRAM COMPUTER TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The computer requirements for using the University's Course Management System are:

Students should have all windows critical updates installed (from Microsoft) along with necessary Anti-Virus Software. If you need assistance, contact tech support at 570-941-4357.

EDUCATIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS

The University's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) is located on the 5^th floor of the Harper-McGinness Wing in St. Thomas hall.  The mission of the CTLE is to provide academic support services for students and opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching and learning. The CTLE offers services to assist graduate students to achieve academic success.   The CTLE can assist graduate students in improving their reading comprehension and retention, writing and enhance overall learning skills.  Peer-tutoring is available to graduate students free of charge.  Students may also work with CTLE staff in learning how to use instructional technology that is available on campus.  Workshops are offered in the area of time management, organizational skills, effective study techniques and learning styles.

Graduate students with disabilities, who are registered with the CTLE, may receive academic accommodations such as extended test-taking time, note taking and computer use for examinations.  Individual consultations with the CTLE Reading Enrichment Specialist, Learning Enrichment Specialist and Writing Consultants are encouraged to assist students with physical and/or learning challenges achieve academic success.

To learn more about the CTLE's programs and services for students and faculty visit their website or call (570) 941-4038.
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NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program is well recognized in the nation at the graduate level. In 2019, The U.S. News and World Report ranks the University of Scranton in the top third of all programs nationwide, with a tied ranking for 32nd place. 
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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The Rehabilitation Counseling program has a rolling admissions policy and applications will be accepted throughout the year. Individuals interested in our programs may find additional information in the Graduate School Catalog. Please feel free to contact rehabilitation counseling program director if you would like to speak with someone about the program directly.
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