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Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

Concentration Coordinator

Steve West, Ph.D., CRC
Ball Hall 100
slwest@memphis.edu
901.678.2841

Important Links

Mission Statement

The mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling master's degree program 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 Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Program is a nationally recognized training program that offers a 48-semester hour, accredited curriculum.   The program was first accredited by CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Educations) in 1975. With the merger of CACREP and CORE, the program was accredited by CACREP from July 1, 2017- July 1, 2023.  Situated in an urban research university, we offer flexibility to both full-time and part-time students.  Students are also able to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification exam during the last semester of their course work. 

The Profession of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors utilize their skills and knowledge to assist individuals with intellectual, physical, and psychological disabilities become or remain self-sufficient and productive members of society. Vocational 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.

Why is our program the best place to start?

The University of Memphis Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling program is ranked #20 in the nation by US News and World Report. A few other reasons to consider pursuing a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling at The University of Memphis:

  • Federal scholarships and paid internships
  • Dynamic employment opportunities upon graduation
  • Late afternoon and evening classes
  • Supervised practicum and internship
  • Close working relationships between students and faculty
  • Immediate eligibility after graduation for CRC Certification
  • Students who complete 12 additional credits and post-master's clinical experience are eligible to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) in the state of Tennessee
  • Nationally recognized faculty

Admission

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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

Scholarship Opportunity

The graduate Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Program has been awarded a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration intended to fund the tuition, fees, and stipends for master's students each year of the next five years. The intent of the grant is to increase the number of rehabilitation counselors prepared to work in vocational rehabilitation settings. Rehabilitation counselors are counselors with a specialty in working with individuals that have a disability and their families.

Students interested in this scholarship opportunity should complete the RSA Scholarship application. If you have any questions please contact Steve Zanskas for additional information.

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