Overview

Overview

M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling (M.A.C.R.)

The mission of the specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling is to educate students in the profession of rehabilitation counseling, with a special emphasis on the provision of services that enhance the independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities. Special emphasis is placed on training students to become socially responsible practitioners who embrace diversity perspectives and who empower individuals with disabilities to build bridges across social, economic, cultural, racial, and political systems. The program will foster the development of social equality, justice, and respect for individuals with disabilities in the global community.

Program Objectives

• To provide a well-balanced curriculum that emphasizes theoretical, clinical, ethical, and research-based support for the profession of rehabilitation counseling.
• To enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes for working with a wide variety of persons with disabilities, including those who have been traditionally disenfranchised and marginalized.
• To recruit students from traditionally under-represented populations.
• To nurture an approach to professional practice and rehabilitation research that is characterized by inquiry, critical thinking, flexibility and self-confidence.
• To systematically and continuously evaluate the overall quality of the program.
• To enable students to achieve appropriate professional credentials as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and/or Licensed Professional Counselors.
• To pursue and maintain accreditation by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Admission Requirements

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution or a comparable degree from an international institution 
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework 
• Completion of the following semester courses in psychology with grades of "C" or better: General or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods or statistics. Equivalent coursework in other social sciences may also be considered. 
• Approved applicants will be invited for an interview as the final step in the admissions process

Degree Requirements

• Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses
• Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum hours of practicum and internship
• Satisfactory completion of at least 200 hours of community service practicum
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of"C"
• Successful completion of the Master's Clinical Qualifying Examination
• Submission of graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees
• Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling

Licensure

Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination, a nationally recognized credential. Students will also be eligible to apply for the Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential, with no additional examination requirements. With additional supervised experience, you will also be eligible to sit for both the CRC examination and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors examination in Illinois. For students planning to work in another state, the School suggests that you inquire about licensing requirements specific to that particular state.