M.A. in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling prepares professional counselors to coordinate resources and to provide assistance in employment, independent living, and personal or economic development to persons with disabilities and other individuals who encounter barriers in meeting their functional needs. It also prepares counselors as mental health counselors to obtain licensure as professionals who provide services in community mental health settings.

Admission

No specific undergraduate major area of study is required, but a major in one of the social sciences is considered good preparation for the M.A. in counseling. Applicants should have a good academic record and relevant experience, such as assisting individuals with disabilities. Postbaccalaureate work experience relevant to the field of rehabilitation counseling is preferred. The program encourages applications from persons traditionally underrepresented in the field, particularly those with a disability and/or members of minority or ethnic groups. Applicants also must meet the department's admission requirements.

The master's degree program accepts approximately 15 students per year. The class proceeds through a sequenced plan of study beginning each summer semester. For the best consideration for financial aid, early applications (as early as January) are strongly encouraged. You will be notified in writing once a decision regarding your application has been made. This is approximately one month after the application deadline.
Students pursue a sequenced plan of study that begins in summer session. Although students may be admitted for any semester, the department highly recommends that full-time students begin the program in summer.

Admission Requirements

A completed application to the M.A. program must include:

• An application to The University of Iowa's Graduate School;
• A statement of professional goals;
• An official report of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal and Quantitative scores;
• Official transcripts of all previous college work; and
• Three letters of recommendation.

The Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation consider these factors:

• Graduate GPA of 3.0 or better; and
• Composite Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal & Quantitative score of 1,000 or better.

A personal interview is required, either in person or by telephone. This interview is scheduled once a completed application is received. In reviewing applications, the faculty considers the relevant qualifications of candidates across all required areas.

No one criterion is used in selecting candidates. All interested persons are encouraged to apply. Specific questions concerning the status of your application should be directed to the Office of Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center, (319) 335-5260.

Admissions Deadlines and Process

Applications for full-time study are accepted continually for summer session entry (full-time students begin in summer session in June). Application deadline for full-time study is April 1 for U.S. applicants, March 1 for international applicants. Selection begins on April 1 and continues until a full class is selected. Applications for part-time study are accepted for fall and spring semesters.

Application to all graduate programs (degree or non-degree) in the College of Education requires official GRE general test scores. Information on Admission to the College of Education is available through the Office of Education Services, The University of Iowa Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions, Online Graduate Applications, and College of Education Financial Aid and Graduate Assistantships.

Course Delivery

The M.A. in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Full-time students can complete the program in two academic years (four semesters plus two summer sessions, approximately 21 months).

Preparation for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor

The M.A. program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) as a Rehabilitation Counseling Program and by the Council on Accreditation on Counseling and Related Professions (CACREP) as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Master's graduates are eligible for certification by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and the National Board on Counselor Certification (NBCC) upon completion of an approved internship and satisfactory performance on the certification examination. In addition, this CACREP accredited coursework meets the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in Iowa. Each state in the United States maintains its own requirements for licensure. Although they are all similar, and the UI Program usually meets these academic requirements, it is recommended that you check the licensure requirements in the state in which you plan to practice.

The American Counseling Association web site provides contact information on state counselor licensure boards. Information about Iowa licensure for mental health counselors is available through the web site for the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Board of Behavioral Sciences. After completing the Master’s program, graduates must typically complete post-graduate supervised practice hours and an examination prior to being licensed.

Courses & Concentration Requirements

The master's degree program provides a systematically planned curriculum that blends academic work with supervised clinical experiences. As a part of the training curricula, students complete course work in the nature of psychiatric disorders, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation.Please click on this link to view the recommended classes and sessions in the M.A. Program Plan of Study. Please use when meeting with your advisor.

Required Courses

Department Requirements

07C:202  Introduction to Group Counseling  3 s.h.

07C:221  Theories of Counseling and Human Development Across the Life Span  3 s.h.

07C:250  Multiculturalism in Helping Professions (or equivalent)  3 s.h.

07C:270  Issues and Ethics in Counseling  3 s.h.

07C:276  Research in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling  3 s.h.

07C:278  Applied Microcounseling   3 s.h.

Clinical practice (see "Clinical Practice," below)   16 s.h.

Program Requirements

Elective Courses

Students select an additional 3 hour courses in an area of professional interest (for example, substance abuse, brain injury, aging, disaster response, family systems, assistive technology, etc.) with the assistance of their faculty advisor

Required Clinical Work

All of these:

07C:348  Prepracticum in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and Case Management  3 s.h.

07C:349  Practicum in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and Case Management  3 s.h.

07C:352  Internship in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and Case Management  9-12 s.h.

One of these:

07C:350  Advanced Practicum in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and Case Management  3 s.h.

07C:351  Advanced Practicum in Mental Health and Substance Abuse  3 s.h.

Comprehensive Examination

In addition to the three-hour departmental comprehensive examination, another three-hour written examination on the process and practice of rehabilitation and community counseling is required. Exams are offered only during fall and spring semesters.