MA Program - Rehabilitation Counseling - College of Education

The master's degree program prepares professionals to provide direct services and coordinate resources for persons with disabilities. A position as a qualified rehabilitation counselor requires a master's degree. The degree usually requires two years of full-time academic course work, including summers, and a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Graduate students generally have undergraduate degrees in rehabilitation services, psychology, sociology, or other human service fields. Other job titles for a rehabilitation counselor might include job placement or vocational specialist, mental health counselor, case manager, or vocational counselor.

The University of Iowa master's degree program in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation EducatioN (CORE) and the Council on Accreditation on Counseling and Related Professions (CACREP) in Community Counseling. 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. Although these certifications are not required for employment in all settings, they represent professional recognition of an individual's education and competencies and may be necessary to function in certain types of practice or to obtain some forms of reimbursement. Many states also offer credentialing for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) or licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs).

Integrated within the 60 semester hour curricula of the Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling is coursework that prepares students for the roles and functions of a licensed mental health counselor. As a part of the training curricula students complete course work in the nature of psychiatric disorders, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation. Students, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, 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.). 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 (http:www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/licensure.asp?board=be). After completing the Master’s program, graduates must typically complete post-graduate supervised practice hours and an examination prior to being licensed.

The master's degree program provides a systematically planned curricululm that blends academic work with supervised clinical experiences. The program can be completed in two academic years or four semesters plus two summer sessions (24 months). Graduates of this 60-semester-hour nonthesis program are likely to have completed the academic course work for counselor licensure in many states. Faculty assist students in planning their course work for licensure in states in which they may desire to practice.

Please click on this link to view the recommended classes and sessions in the M.A. Program of Study. Please use when meeting with your advisor.

No specific undergraduate major area of study is required, though we are interested in applicants who usually have majored in one of the social sciences at the undergraduate level, have a good academic record, relevant experience, and a strong desire to assist individuals with disabilities. Evidence of experience with persons with disabilities is considered relevant, and post-baccalaureate work experience relevant to the field of rehabilitation is preferred.

A personal interview with the faculty 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.

Applications to the M.A. program are accepted continually. Selection begins on April 1 for summer admission (full-time students begin in summer session) and continues until a full class is selected.

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.


	Master of Arts Program in Rehabilitation Counseling The master's degree program prepares professionals to provide direct services and coordinate resources for persons with disabilities. A position as a qualified rehabilitation counselor requires a master's degree. The degree usually requires two years of full-time academic course work, including summers, and a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Graduate students generally have undergraduate degrees in rehabilitation services, psychology, sociology, or other human service fields. Other job titles for a rehabilitation counselor might include job placement or vocational specialist, mental health counselor, case manager, or vocational counselor. The University of Iowa master's degree program in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation EducatioN (CORE) and the Council on Accreditation on Counseling and Related Professions (CACREP) in Community Counseling. 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. Although these certifications are not required for employment in all settings, they represent professional recognition of an individual's education and competencies and may be necessary to function in certain types of practice or to obtain some forms of reimbursement. Many states also offer credentialing for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) or licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs). Preparation for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor Integrated within the 60 semester hour curricula of the Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling is coursework that prepares students for the roles and functions of a licensed mental health counselor. As a part of the training curricula students complete course work in the nature of psychiatric disorders, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation. Students, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, 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.). 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 (http:www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/licensure.asp?board=be). After completing the Master’s program, graduates must typically complete post-graduate supervised practice hours and an examination prior to being licensed. Plan of Study The master's degree program provides a systematically planned curricululm that blends academic work with supervised clinical experiences. The program can be completed in two academic years or four semesters plus two summer sessions (24 months). Graduates of this 60-semester-hour nonthesis program are likely to have completed the academic course work for counselor licensure in many states. Faculty assist students in planning their course work for licensure in states in which they may desire to practice. Please click on this link to view the recommended classes and sessions in the M.A. Program of Study. Please use when meeting with your advisor. Admissions 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. In addition, 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. The following factors also are considered: No specific undergraduate major area of study is required, though we are interested in applicants who usually have majored in one of the social sciences at the undergraduate level, have a good academic record, relevant experience, and a strong desire to assist individuals with disabilities. Evidence of experience with persons with disabilities is considered relevant, and post-baccalaureate work experience relevant to the field of rehabilitation is preferred. A personal interview with the faculty 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 to the M.A. program are accepted continually. Selection begins on April 1 for summer admission (full-time students begin in summer session) and continues until a full class is selected. 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.
Rehabilitation Counseling For questions about the program please contact the Program Director. Please report web site problems to the College of Education Webmaster.