Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services

If you have a genuine desire to help people make a change for the better, to help individuals heal, learn and grow to their fullest potential, a career in Rehabilitation Services could be for you. The liberal arts foundation of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services at Maryville will help you develop an understanding of the broad influences and concerns that impact an individual.

If you wish to further your undergraduate education and become a professional counselor, you can earn a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling degree.

As a student of the master’s program, you will 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. As a rehabilitation counselor, you will be committed to helping people become productive members of society with meaningful careers and an independent living situations. For more information, contact Dr. Michael Kiener, Director of Rehabilitation Counseling and Services at 314.529.9443 or mkiener@maryville.edu.

Program Graduates Will Demonstrate:

  • An understanding of the individual and society and how societal perspectives impact perspectives on disability.
  • An understanding of the principles, philosophies, history, policies, laws, practices and ethics related to the field of rehabilitation.
  • The ability to use effective communication and helping skills.
  • An understanding of sensitivity to a range of disabilities including physical, psychiatric, developmental, with particular attention to how these impact independent living skills.
  • The ability to assist people with disabilities access vocational opportunities in the community by gaining knowledge and skills in job development, job placement and supported employment.
  • The ability to provide effective case management services to the community.
  • Their commitment to continued professional growth and development.

Program Features

Undergraduate Program
Rehabilitation Services is part of a growing program in the School of Health Professions. A Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services will give you a blend of coursework and field experiences designed to provide a foundation in the purpose, process and skills of rehabilitation service delivery.

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. For students enrolled in the early access program they can take up to 6 credit hours at the graduate level, which count toward both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

Professional/Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for Rehabilitation Services graduates can be found with non-profit organizations, the state and federal government, private for profit companies and many others. Graduates have gone on to careers as rehabilitation managers, vocational specialists, case managers, program managers, independent living specialists, protection and advocacy specialists and residential managers.

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

Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services

Admission Requirements


Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services:

  • Maryville University application form
  • Non-refundable $25 application fee
  • Official copy of high school transcripts or GED score
  • ACT or SAT scores (except WEC students)
  • Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended

Health and Other Special Requirements

The following requirements must be met prior to participating in required clinicals:

  • Physical Examination
  • Documentation of Immunization or Titer Immunity
    • Measles/Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
    • Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertusis (Tdap)
    • Polio series completed
    • Varicella titer or Varicella vaccinations
    • Hepatitis B Vaccine Series or Declination
    • Flu Vaccine annual
    • TB-Tuberculin PPD test (documented 2-step initially, then annual)
  • Health insurance (copy of card required)
  • CPR Certification
  • Urine Drug Screen (from the Maryville authorized lab)
  • Criminal Background checks from Maryville University’s authorized agency and signed release to clinical sites (possible checks include: state criminal checks, disqualification lists, sex offender lists, social security number, address and alias)
  • Fitting for a respiratory isolation device (i.e. N95 Mask) may be required by some clinical sites
  • A few hospitals in Missouri now require nicotine screenings for all new employees. Therefore it is anticipated that students may be excluded from some clinical sites based upon their use of nicotine

Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program

The Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program at Maryville University is designed to provide students with a holistic approach to rehabilitation. The program consists of courses that provide a broad background in either the field of Independent Living or Psychiatric Rehabilitation for those individuals who desire to enhance their education through post-baccalaureate specialized courses. Students acquire knowledge and skills of the physical, mental, social and cultural aspects of disability through these specialized courses. Rehabilitation Services graduates or certificate holders have the knowledge and experience necessary to work in a front line position of a community rehabilitation agency. Career opportunities for Rehabilitation Services graduates include: non-profit organization, state and federal government, rehabilitation managers, vocational specialists, case managers, program managers, independent living specialists, protection and advocacy specialists, residential managers and private for profit companies in both the independent living and psychiatric profession.

The certificate in rehabilitation services requires 18 credit hours of undergraduate rehabilitation rated related courses.  A passing grade is required in each course applied toward the certificate. Students in the programs must complete a core course on multi-cultural perspectives. Students can take up to 6 credit hours of graduate rehabilitation course work with the director’s approval.  These 18 credit hours must be taken at Maryville University.

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

Rehabilitation Services program is a member of the Council on Rehabilitation Education’s undergraduate registry.


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