MS in Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC)

This program is designed to provide students with the basic competencies to provide rehabilitation counseling to a broad range of individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings, such as state vocational rehabilitation facilities, independent living centers, rehabilitation hospitals, employment assistance programs, private industry, the veteran's administration, and private-for-profit rehabilitation companies. Students complete practicum and internship experiences in community agencies that promote equity and empowerment of people with disabilities.

The program uses class and community experiences and exposure to varied, experiential and field-based learning to teach students the basic philosophic tenets of rehabilitation, including:

• The value, worth, dignity, and capabilities of all people.
• The right of all people to full societal participation with individuals in settings of their choice.
• The importance of treating persons with disabilities as equal partners in the rehabilitation process.
• The idea that societal, community and professional change is as important as individual change.
• The importance of hope, individual capacity, community inclusion, support and education.
• The Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors.

The rehabilitation counseling specialty holds accreditation from the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Upon completion of their degree, students are eligible to take a national exam that qualifies them as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). Students are also eligible for state certification as Mental Health Rehabilitation Technicians (MHRT/Community). And, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Counseling Examination (NCE) and prepare to be liensed as a professional counselor (LPC) in Maine.

Distance Learning Option: The Master of Science in Counseling--Rehabilitation Counseling Specialty--program helps students acquire the basic foundation, knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to enter the profession and practice effectively.

Approximately 45 of the 54 credit hours will be available via distance format (two-way videoconferencing, ITV, or online). Locations for ITV and videoconference classes include the seven University of Maine System campuses, most University College Centers, University College of Bangor, the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, and Lewiston-Auburn College. Classes will be offered on a rotating basis over the academic year and summer sessions. Between two and three classes (six to nine credits) will be offered each calendar year. All site-based courses will be offered during the week at 4:00 or 7:00 p.m. Students may earn those credits not offered in distance formats (see *on-campus courses below) at either the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine or from a regionally recognized graduate counseling program.

Admissions Information