Concentration Coordinator Steve Zanskas, Ph.D., CRC Patterson, Room 119D 901.678.4021

Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration Requirements: 48 hours

Mission Statement

The mission of the rehabilitation counseling master's degree program at The University of Memphis is to prepare professional rehabilitation counselors to provide a full range of rehabilitation counseling services to facilitate the personal, educational, and vocational development of individuals with emotional, cognitive, physical, and neurological impairments.

Program Overview

The University of Memphis Rehabilitation Counseling Program is a nationally recognized training program that offers a 48-semester hour, CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Educations) accredited curriculum. The program is situated in an urban research university that offers flexibility to both full-time and part-time students, offering many currently working in the field an opportunity to upgrade their skills as well as academic and professional standing. The primary goal of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on preparing graduates to fill a wide variety of counseling, rehabilitation and human service positions. Graduates of the 48 credit hour concentration can begin their two-year's post-master's supervision while taking the 12 additional credit hours necessary to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Tennessee (LPC-MHSP). Students are also able to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification exam during the last semester of their course work. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) federal traineeships provide tuition and stipends to selected students.

The Profession of Rehabilitation Counseling

The rehabilitation counselor utilizes knowledge from psychology, medicine, sociology, organizational behavior, management, business, and social work to assist individuals with physical and mental disabilities to become or remain self-sufficient and productive members of society. Rehabilitation counselors provide comprehensive counseling services that include individual assessment; individual, group, and family counseling; case management; career and vocational counseling; and job placement. Rehabilitation counselors are able to find employment in the following settings:

• State-federal rehabilitation agencies
• Private rehabilitation companies
• Private mental health counseling practices
• Community based mental health agencies
• Substance abuse programs
• Geriatric counseling and rehabilitation programs
• Hospital-based treatment programs
• Developmental disability agencies
• Head injury programs
• Group homes
• Community-based correction programs
• Veteran's administration medical centers
• Educational settings (high school and college/university)
• Employee assistance programs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School and the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research. Please refer to the Graduate Bulletin for details.

All applicants to the program must:

• Complete both the Graduate School and CEPR Department application
• Attain an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Furnish three letters of reference
• Submit a 500-1000 word typed written essay stating your reasons for seeking admission to the program and professional goals and objectives.

Applicants to the program should be willing to have a personal interview with the admission committee.

Program Deadlines

• Fall Semester Application Deadline: March 1st
• Spring Semester Application Deadline: October 1st