If you’re wanting to work with people with mental, physical, and developmental challenges, earning a masters in rehabilitation counseling could be your next step in your professional journey.
Rehabilitation counselors are a valuable resource for many individuals and families. They provide support, expertise, and guidance to people with varying disabilities.
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A rehabilitation counseling masters degree program can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to help people overcome or manage the effects of disabilities on everyday living.
Online Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling Programs
Rehabilitation counselors are trained to work with people with diverse disabilities—not just those born with a disability but also anyone undergoing physical, emotional, or social complications.
The primary role of a certified rehabilitation counselor is to help people with disabilities manage or overcome the varying effects of their disabilities and live independently. Rehab counseling professionals work in various settings, such as healthcare facilities, clinical units, and private practices.
A masters in rehab counseling is a common requirement for licensure in the field. Depending on your chosen career path within the field, you may explore concentration areas that include:
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Addiction rehabilitation
- Clinical rehabilitation
Career options for rehab counselors are diverse. A career in rehab counseling may also offer opportunities to pursue related careers in areas like psychology and communication sciences.
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Online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling programs usually offer all classroom instruction online. Students might be required to attend immersion programs, though, that require a limited number of clinical and campus visits. Some of the topics you’ll likely study during the program include:
- Introduction to research and evaluation in counselor education
- Counseling interview skills
- Social and cultural dimensions of counseling
- Disability management and psychosocial rehabilitation
- Medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities
Programs often include an internship component as well. A rehabilitation counseling masters degree is a course-based study program, but it’s likely that you’ll also complete a practice-based research project as well as supervised clinical experience. A rehab counseling masters could also prepare you for doctoral studies in counseling or a related field.
Rehabilitation Counseling Careers & Salaries
Most graduates who earn a masters in rehabilitation counseling go on to become certified rehabilitation counselors. Rehab counselors may also work alongside other experts—such as social workers, school and career counselors, and mental health counselors—to deliver advice that fits the client’s situation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median wages for some of the career paths related to rehabilitation counseling.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Community College Teachers | $76,350 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Health Education Specialists | $60,600 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,510 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors — State Government | $55,330 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
| Community Health Workers | $46,590 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors — Individual and Family Services | $38,930 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors — Community and Vocational Rehabilitation Services | $36,380 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors — Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $36,100 |
Rehabilitation counselors can serve people with a range of disabilities. For instance, they can serve the rehabilitation needs of veterans, the elderly, people autism spectrum disorder, and anyone affected by substance abuse.
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Rehab counselors can also work in a variety of settings, such as senior care homes, hospitals, schools, substance abuse agencies, youth guidance organizations, and rehabilitation centers. Graduates with a masters in rehab counseling may also pursue work in related counseling or social service sectors.
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Curriculum
Coursework can vary from program to program, but here are some courses you may come across when pursuing a masters in rehab counseling:
- Case Management in Rehabilitation Counseling: This course provides an overview of the planning and implementation of rehabilitation services.
- Vocational Evaluation and Career Planning in Rehabilitation: In this course, you’re exposed to the various roles job planning and vocational training play in rehabilitation procedures.
- Rehabilitation Counseling Theories and Techniques: This course teaches the various techniques rehab professionals may use to provide counseling to people with disabilities.
- Principles of Rehabilitation Counseling: This foundational course teaches the history and general methods of counseling.
- Cultural Competencies in Rehabilitation: This course studies cultural differences and other related issues that affect rehab counselors.
- Human Growth and Development: In this course, you’ll learn the fundamental theories and stages of human growth and development.
- Medical Aspects of Counseling: This course can help you discover the impact of neurological and biological mechanisms and the psychosocial implications of cognitive, psychiatric, and physical disabilities.
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation: You’ll be exposed to psychiatric rehabilitation concepts, history, techniques, and principles.
- Career Counseling and Development: This course covers career counseling for people with disabilities.
- Abnormal Human Behavior: This course explores the development and the stages of abnormal human behavior affecting most people with disabilities.
Programs can vary in their coursework requirements and their offered specializations.
Admissions Requirements
Depending on the school, you may be required to submit the following:
- Statement of intent. You can state why you are interested in the program, and you can summarize your professional goals.
- Letters of recommendation. References could come from supervisors or past professors.
- Official transcripts. You’ll submit school transcripts of your undergraduate courses.
- GRE or GMAT scores. Though programs can still require these scores, a growing number of schools now offer both on-campus and online masters in counseling no GRE required.
Admissions requirements can vary, so it’s helpful to verify the specific criteria for your prospective programs.
Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Programs Accreditation
When exploring schools that offer graduate programs in rehab counseling, it’s strategic to ensure that they hold regional accreditation. If a school is regionally accredited, it has met the regional standards for quality education.
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You can trust the educational offerings of a college or university that holds regional accreditation. Attending an accredited school is a common eligibility requirement for transferring credits and applying for federal aid. You can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) online to verify whether your prospective school is accredited.
CACREP Accreditation
Rehab counseling programs can seek accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
CACREP accreditation attests that a rehabilitation counseling graduate program meets the standards of education set by the industry. If a master’s in rehab counseling program is CACREP accredited, you can feel confident that you’re being taught relevant coursework and skill sets for the field.
Some employers, doctoral programs, and licensing boards may require applicants to have completed a CACREP accredited program.
Rehabilitation Counseling Licensure and Certifications
Most states and employers require you to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in order to work unsupervised or in private practice. You can check with your state to see if licensure is required for your preferred job role.
While state licensing requirements can vary, here are some common criteria for becoming a licensed rehabilitation counselor:
- Masters degree in rehabilitation counseling from an accredited program
- Between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Completion of an exam by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Some states and employers also require rehab counselors to hold professional certification. Earning industry certification often requires passing a certification exam and meeting educational and fieldwork requirements.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students studying for a masters in rehabilitation degree may be eligible for different kinds of financial aid. Common forms of federal aid include student loans and work-study programs. Aid options may be available from your state as well. To see if you’re eligible for need-based government aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Many schools and outside organizations offer scholarship opportunities for students who qualify. You can contact your school to see what aid options are available to you. Some employers also provide funding sources to employees who wish to further their education and advance their careers.
What Is Rehabilitation Counseling?
Rehabilitation counseling is the discipline of helping people with emotional, cognitive, mental, and physical disabilities to manage or overcome the effects of disabilities on employment or independence.
Rehabilitation counselors often work with the aging population, people who were born with disabilities, and people who survived accidents, diseases, or natural disasters. Their scope of work requires patience, critical thinking, compassion, and excellent communication skills.
They can also work with medical professionals in a clinical environment or other setting to offer support and expertise to people with disabilities.
What Can You Do with a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling?
Most professionals who earn their master’s in rehabilitation counseling degree go on to pursue licensure and certification as a rehabilitation counselor.
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Some focus their studies on a specific sector so they can pursue work as a clinical, addiction, or vocational rehabilitation counselor. This field of study could also help prepare you for related career paths. For instance, some graduates go on to become substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Others find work as career counselors, health educators, and social and community service managers.
How Much Do Rehabilitation Counselors Make?
Most rehabilitation counselors make between $28,890 and $65,880 each year (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Salaries can range, though, based on a rehab counselor’s location, experience, and sector of employment.
For example, the median salary for rehabilitation counselors in community and vocational rehab services is $36,380, and the median for those working for state government is $55,330. Professionals trained in rehab counseling may also find work in related roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have a median salary of $48,520. Meanwhile, the median wage for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors is $60,510.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Online?
It generally takes 2 years of full-time study to complete a master’s in rehab counseling program. How long it takes can vary, though, depending on the program’s required credit hours and clinical practice hours.
If a masters program only requires 36 credit hours, it can often be completed in 1 year with full-time, year-round study. Part-time students will often take longer to complete their degree programs. A thesis requirement could add time to your overall completion as well.
What’s the Difference Between a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling vs. Mental Health Counseling?
Mental health counselors and rehab counselors have some overlapping areas, but there are some key distinctions between these professions:
- Rehabilitation counseling: Rehabilitation counselors specifically work with people who have disabilities. While this can include emotional and mental disabilities, the scope of a rehab counselor’s work can also include career counseling and practical strategies to promote independent living.
- Mental health counseling: Most mental health counselors work with people who either have a diagnosable mental health condition or who desire professional assistance navigating relationships, self-perception, or life’s challenges.
Depending on their situations, some individuals may see both a rehabilitation counselor and a mental health counselor. The masters degree track that’s right for you will likely depend on your career goals.
Is a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling Worth It?
Yes, a masters in rehabilitation counseling is worth it for many students. Professionals who are passionate about helping people with disabilities often find this career path to be rewarding.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10% job growth for rehabilitation counselors over the next ten years. The national growth in the elderly population may increase the job market for this profession. Graduates may also pursue related careers in education and career counseling, mental health counseling, and addiction counseling. Experienced professionals may even go on to become social and community service managers.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Emporia State University offers a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. It is designed for students interested in supporting individuals pursuing rehabilitation in federal, public, tribal, and community settings. This 48 credit curriculum can be completed almost entirely online. It is complemented by a culminating internship in the rehabilitation field.
Emporia State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
George Washington University offers a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling. It is designed to prepare students for work in the rehabilitation field in a variety of settings. The program consists of 60 credit hours of traditional classroom learning and fieldwork and is typically completed in 8 semesters of full-time study.
George Washington University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Montana State University—Billings offers a Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. The curriculum covers the foundational principles and skills for the counseling profession. Aside from in-person clinical practicum work, all classes are available online. Most students can complete their requirements in just 3 years of full-time study.
Montana State University Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Salve Regina University offers two master’s degrees in rehabilitation. Options are a 60 credit Master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and a 48 credit Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. Both degrees are offered entirely online and provide pathways to certification and licensure for students hoping to practice in that capacity in the counseling field.
Salve Regina University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program at San Diego State University is designed with working professionals in mind. It has a fully online learning model to ensure students can pursue their educational goals regardless of other commitments. Students who attend full-time can typically complete the program in just 3 years.
San Diego State University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
St. Cloud State University offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Students in the program can choose to specialize in Vocational Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation, or Addiction Rehabilitation. Regardless of specialty, the program can be completed on campus with traditional scheduling, on-campus during evenings and weekends, asynchronously online, or synchronously virtually.
St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Alabama offers a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling. The program covers how to assess patients, lead individual and group counseling sessions, manage cases, provide assistive technology as needed, and advocate for clients. The program consists of 60 credit hours and is housed fully online.
The University of Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Massachusetts—Boston offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. The program offers two tracks: Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.
Students can typically complete the program in 2 years of full-time study. The curriculum covers topics such as patient assessment, human lifespan development, sociocultural impacts in counseling, group dynamics, and vocational development.
The University of Massachusetts Boston is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of North Texas offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. The program is designed for individuals who are passionate about aiding clients navigating difficult circumstances or life transitions. This 100% online program includes 19 required classes. To graduate, students must complete a total of 60 credit hours.
The University of North Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Wisconsin—Stout offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. The program can be attended part-time in an online format or full-time in an on-campus format. The curriculum aims to teach students to consider a wide spectrum of environmental, physical, social, and economic factors affecting their clients to provide them the best support possible.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling Online
Earning a masters in rehabilitation counseling could be the next step in your professional development. It’s a common requirement for becoming a certified rehabilitation counselor, and it can also help you qualify for related career paths in counseling and social services.
A graduate program can also prepare you for doctoral studies. Plus, earning a masters is now more convenient than ever, as a growing number of accredited universities are offering online rehab counseling graduate programs. Online programming is especially strategic for working professionals and those who prefer more flexibility.
You could start exploring accredited schools today to find the online masters program in rehabilitation counseling that best aligns with your interests and goals.
