Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling

As a rehabilitation counselor, you will be committed to helping people become productive members of society with meaningful careers and an independent living situations. Our graduate students acquire the sound knowledge of a professional counselor with the skills to work with persons with physical, psychological, developmental, behavioral and cognitive disabilities, as well as those with substance abuse problems. Through coursework, practicum and internship placements, students integrate the critical knowledge and clinical skills necessary for professional practice.

Maryville’s Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program provides the educational preparation for Missouri licensing as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and national certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). As a student of the master’s program, you may choose to add a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, Substance Abuse or Music Therapy. For more information, contact Dr. Michael Kiener, Director of Rehabilitation Counseling and Services at 314.529.9443 or mkiener@maryville.edu.

Mission

 This program is designed to educate an individual to become a professional counselor with sound knowledge and skills to work with persons with disabilities, such as physical, psychological, substance abuse, developmental, behavioral and cognitive. The rehabilitation counselor is committed to assist the individual with special needs and talents to achieve equal access, inclusion in society, meaningful work and independent living with quality of life. The rehabilitation counselor believes that individuals with disability represent a major resource for the betterment of society.

The Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program has ten objectives:

  • To provide a solid understanding of the principles, philosophies, history, policies, laws, practices, and ethics related to rehabilitation counseling.
  • To present knowledge of a range of disabilities including physical, psychiatric, substance abuse, developmental, behavioral and cognitive, with particular attention to psychosocial aspects and functional capacities.
  • To develop in the student sound knowledge of the dynamics of personality development and theories of counseling, as well as practical counseling skills.
  • To challenge the student to examine personal values and to appreciate a multicultural perspective to counseling.
  • To provide education for effective case management and disability management.
  • To achieve within the student an appreciation and knowledge of vocational and career development theory.
  • To obtain an understanding of the methods and tests available for evaluation and the relation of such to a comprehensive assessment of the individual.
  • To develop, in the student, skills in job analysis, marketing, job development, job placement and supported employment options.
  • To acquaint the student with research methodology and research in rehabilitation for the purpose of becoming intelligent consumers of research.
  • To develop sound professional counselors committed to life long learning.

Early Access

Baccalaureate students who meet the requisite grade point average and coursework may be eligible for the bridge/early access program to the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program at Maryville. Please contact the Rehabilitation Counseling Director for more information.

Long Term Training Grant Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling

What is the Long Term Training Grant and what is its purpose?

Long Term Training Grants are funded through the Rehabilitation Services Administration within the Department of Education. The purpose of the grant is to provide tuition assistance to individuals seeking to obtain a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling who are willing to work in Vocational Rehabilitation systems. In addition, 10 of the 16 required courses for the master’s degree will be offered in alternate format such as online and weekend courses.

How do individuals apply to the program?

Follow the application process indicated below. Indicate in your letter of application that you are seeking to be considered for the Long Term Training Grant.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

The C.A.G.S. program offers an advanced education in counseling to the person who has a counseling or related master’s degree. The intent of this certificate is to provide specific knowledge and skills relevant to rehabilitation counseling.

Additional coursework can be taken for professional counselors in Marriage and Family Therapy, Substance Abuse and Music Therapy. For more details on the C.A.G.S program, click here.

Professional/Career Opportunities

Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings such as state rehabilitation agencies, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, substance abuse programs, schools, universities, colleges, criminal justice programs, community agencies, mental health clinics, independent living centers, nursing homes, group homes, insurance companies, and private industry including employee assistance programs and private practice.

Degree Offerings and Requirements

Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling

Rehabilitation Counseling Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

Admission Requirements

For information on admissions requirements, visit our Admissions Requirements page.

Rehabilitation Counseling Concentrations

For information about rehabilitation counseling concentrations, visit this page.

Professional Accreditation

The Rehabilitation Counseling program is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) through 2012. The rehabilitation faculty are currently preparing for reaccreditation. CORE is located at 1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 300, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (telephone number 847-944-1345). Students are admitted into the program during the fall and spring semesters. Program evaluation is conducted each semester using numerous procedures to assess student outcomes. There are two full-time tenured faculty teaching in the program with two additional tenure track faculty starting in fall 2012. The current grade point average for students in the program is 3.68. Graduates from Maryville’s Rehabilitation Counseling program are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam and the National Counselor Exam (the licensure exam for Missouri). The current academic year (8/11-5/12) the Rehabilitation Counseling program has 62 students and has graduated 75 students from 2007-2011. For more information on Maryville’s enrollment and graduation numbers please see Maryville’s Planning Reference Guide

University Accreditation

Maryville University of Saint Louis is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504. You can contact them by calling 800.621.7440.

School and College Accreditation

School of Health Professionals

Council on Rehabilitation Education, Inc.
1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 300
Schaumburg  IL  60173
847.934.1345


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