Academic Program
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling and Rehabilitation is a 60 semester-credit hour program that prepares professional counselors. This MA program includes a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling, which equips graduates with specialized knowledge and skills related to disability and disadvantagement-related issues.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will adopt a professional counseling orientation commensurate to beginning counselors. (EDCE 510)
- Students will engage in ethical decision-making process that demonstrates an understanding of ethical principles and is beneficial to the client. (RCON 704 )
- Students will describe how student-centered and client-centered cultural factors may influence the counseling relationship across a variety of helping settings. (RCON 605 )
- Students will demonstrate ability to work effectively with diverse clients in a counseling setting. (RCON 711, RCON 883)
- Students will identify psychosocial and psychoeducational strategies for promoting resilience and optimal development and wellness across the lifespan. (EDPY 705, RCON 711, NPSY 757
- Students will accurately describe theories and models of career development and career decision-making. (RCON 725 , Comprehensive assessment)
- Students will apply a theory and/or model of career development to a client. (RCON 725, RCON 883)
- Students will demonstrate the intentional use of interviewing and basic counseling skills. (RCON 601, RCON 880)
- Students will discuss and demonstrate counseling theories and related techniques. (RCON 711, RCON 883)
- Students will demonstrate group leadership skills by planning and carrying out purposeful group counseling activities. (RCON 720, RCON 880)
- Students will select and describe assessment and testing techniques with specific counseling populations. (RCON 714, NPSY 758)
- Students will utilize the results of scholarly research to inform and adapt counseling practice. (RCON 700, RCON 702, Comprehensive examination)
- Students will identify and strategically utilize community services and resources related to the provision of individualized rehabilitation services. (RCON 734 , Comprehensive assessment).
- Students will develop and implement individualized service plan for a person with a disability that reflects principles of client choice and self-determination and include theory-based and evidence-based counseling and rehabilitation services. (RCON 733, RCON 883)
- Students will demonstrate fundamental competencies in Addictions and Mental Health counseling. (NPSY 760, NPSY 757, NPSY 758
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Graduates are specialized professionals who assist persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, addictions-based and other disabilities, as well as other forms of disadvantagement. They help these individuals deal with personal, interpersonal, and societal problems; plan careers; pursue educational goals; and find and maintain employment. The counseling process involves communication, goal setting, and facilitating personal growth or beneficial change through advocacy, psychological, vocational, social, and behavioral interventions. Clinical rehabilitation counselors also work with individuals, organizations, and advocacy groups that address environmental and social barriers that create obstacles for persons with disabilities. In effect, they build bridges between persons with disabilities, their families, communities, and work places. They also collaborate with physicians, psychologists, and others in assisting persons with disabilities in pursuing their educational, vocational, and independent-living goals. Because employment is a major focus for persons with disabilities, clinical rehabilitation counselors work closely with employers and representatives of the business community to identify job opportunities and to make work environments more accommodating.
Major employers of clinical rehabilitation counselors in South Carolina include both public and private agencies, hospitals, and behavioral care settings such as the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, and the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Other employers include a variety of addictions treatment agencies, local hospitals, and other care settings. Clinical rehabilitation counselors also serve as consultants to educational institutions, insurance companies, and industry. The profession of clinical rehabilitation counseling also has an important role in providing rehabilitation and transition services for school-aged children and adolescents, with focuses on transitioning from high school to college, or from education to employment. Also, geriatric services are provided to older persons who are experiencing changing lifestyles and health problems. Increasingly, workers injured on the job receive rehabilitation counseling services through private rehabilitation companies and employers’ in-house disability management and employee assistance programs. Persons who have severe disabilities that limit opportunities for full-time competitive employment may also be assisted through independent-living service programs and supported employment arrangements developed and provided by rehabilitation counselors.
Program Accreditation
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling and Rehabilitation degree, with a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Credentialing Information
Program graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) that leads to counselor licensure in South Carolina and several states. It is important to note that each state has its own licensing board with its own counselor licensure requirements. The program’s website provides additional information about certification and licensure.
Learning Community
The program utilizes a Learning Community approach to the professional development of clinical rehabilitation counselors. We believe that a diverse group of faculty and students working collaboratively to help students reach academic and professional goals best prepares students for success. We value diversity in age, gender, race and ethnicity, educational background, sexual orientation, ability status, and other multicultural characteristics. We encourage applications from all interested potential students, including persons from historically and typically underrepresented groups.
As a member of the clinical rehabilitation counseling Learning Community, students can expect to get to know the core counselor education program faculty as well as student peers. In addition to courses that meet in real-time and are open to both in- person and distance students, the program includes Learning Community in-person days during which faculty and students engage in hands-on learning and professional development.
Additional Information
For additional information, please contact the Program Director or the Student Services Coordinator at 803-434-4296. You may also visit the program website.
Admission Standards
Submitted materials, academic background and performance, work and volunteer experience, and personal interview findings are all considered in the admissions process. We consider the following information before inviting candidates for a personal interview:
- Bachelor’s degree GPA
- GRE or MAT scores
- TOEFL scores (for international students)
- Two letters of reference
- Statement of intent that address why you want to pursue a career in rehabilitation counseling, relevant experience and plans for completing the program requirements
In making admissions decisions, we consider all factors listed above, as well as each applicant’s potential for forming effective counseling relationships.
How to Apply
Prospective students apply online through the USC Graduate School. The program reviews admissions throughout the year and new students may begin their studies in Fall or in Spring semester. For additional information, please contact the Student Services Coordinator at 803-434-4296. You may also visit the program website.
Minimum Degree Requirements (60 Hours)
Students complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of required coursework. Key content areas of study include professional counseling orientation and ethical practice, social and multicultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, counseling and helping relationships, group counseling and group work, assessment and testing, and research and program evaluation. Required coursework in clinical rehabilitation counseling, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, rehabilitation assessment, the world of work, psychopathology, assessment of mental disorders, addictions counseling and rehabilitation, and professional issues in clinical rehabilitation is also included.
As part of the 60 credit hours, students complete a 150 hour practicum and a 600 hour internship in approved community agencies. Students must receive a passing grade on the pre-practicum assessment before advancing to practicum.
Students may individualize their professional preparation by electing to participate in student organizations at the university, state, and national levels and by working with faculty members on rehabilitation research projects.
Students must receive a passing grade on the comprehensive assessment project in the semester in which they intend to graduate.
Curriculum
The 60-credit hour curriculum includes thirteen (13) required courses, three (3) clinical rehabilitation specialization courses, a practicum, an internship, and one (1) elective.
Required Courses (39 Hours)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| EDCE 510 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| RCON 605 | Culture and Disability | 3 |
| EDPY 705 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| RCON 725 | Career Counseling Theories and the World of Work | 3 |
| RCON 601 | Helping Relationships: Fundamentals of Counseling Practice | 3 |
| RCON 711 | Rehabilitation Counseling Theories and Practice | 3 |
| RCON 720 | Group Counseling in Rehabilitation Settings | 3 |
| RCON 714 | Rehabilitation Assessment | 3 |
| RCON 702 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| RCON 704 | Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling and Helping Relationships | 3 |
| NPSY 757 | Psychopathology for Counselors | 3 |
| NPSY 758 | Classification and Assessment of Mental Disorders | 3 |
| NPSY 760 | Addictions Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 |
Specialization Courses (9 Hours)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| RCON 700 | Foundations of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| RCON 733 | Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| RCON 734 | Professional Issues in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Field Experiences (9 Hours)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| RCON 880 | Counseling Practicum in Clinical Rehabilitation | 3 |
| RCON 883 | Internship in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Electives (3 Hours)
A partial list of electives includes the following:
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| RHAB 540 | Assistive and Adaptive Technology | 3 |
| RHAB 752 | Disability and Sexuality | 3 |
| RHAB 753 | Rehabilitation and Severe Disability | 3 |
| NPSY 761 | Dual Diagnosis | 3 |
| NPSY 763 | | 3 |
