The Rehabilitation Counseling program is guided by its mission to prepare rehabilitation professionals who are committed to facilitating the personal, social and economic independence of individuals with disabilities throughout the rehabilitation or habilitation process. The program is founded on the assumption of the worth, dignity and value of all individuals and is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Professional development activities and personal growth experiences for students are provided to focus on developing skills for living and working as constructive participants in our multicultural, multiethnic society. The Rehabilitation Counseling program works toward these ends by fostering lifelong learning skills, creating a climate of inquiry, encouraging creative and scholarly productivity, and enhancing people’s ability to solve problems.

Upon successful completion of the program each student will:

1. Develop and demonstrate an identity as a rehabilitation counseling professional.
2. Integrate rehabilitation philosophy and principles of independence, integration, choice, self-determination, empowerment, access and respect for individual differences into rehabilitation counseling planning and service provision.
3. Demonstrate ethical behavior and ethical problem-solving consistent with the code of ethics for rehabilitation counseling professionals.
4. Utilize disability-related legislation, public policy, and attitudinal and access barriers to advocate for and with persons with disabilities and their families.
5. Identify the influences and functional impacts and implications of chronic illness and/or disability across human development and lifespan.
6. Evaluate environmental, social and economic influences that create barriers for persons with disabilities.
7. Appraise psychosocial, cultural and diversity issues that may affect the rehabilitation process.
8. Formulate counseling techniques to promote rehabilitation counseling and philosophy to chronic illness or disability adjustment.
9. Analyze jobs, employment trends and career opportunities to assist in rehabilitation planning and service provision.
10. Apply research findings to improve services to persons with disabilities.
11. Integrate vocational assessment in the rehabilitation planning.
12. Identify community resources and other services which promote independence.

The CACREP-accredited Rehabilitation Counseling program requires 60-credits of course work . All degree-related courses are predefined to meet accreditation standards and certification requirements. There are no required elective classes.

The Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares students to meet and/or exceed the educational and experiential requirements necessary to seek the professional designation of Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling program meet the minimum educational requirements necessary to obtain the Wisconsin state in-training license leading to the Wisconsin Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation.

The Rehabilitation Counseling program is based on a cohort-model where students are admitted to the program once yearly in the fall. The program offers two distinct cohorts:

• The Combined Cohort, which has options for either on-campus or online course delivery, provides a traditional synchronous experience in which students either attend the physical classroom on-campus or join the class live via the internet. This cohort is designed as a two-year, full-time program.

• The Online Cohort which provides online asynchronous courses, which means students can participate in weekly learning assignments at a time that is most convenient for them. This cohort is a three-year, part-time online cohort designed for employed rehabilitation professionals who possess a minimum of two years of related work experience.

Students within a cohort typically proceed through sequenced coursework together and graduate at the same time. The cohorts are mutually exclusive, and students can enroll only in those courses within their designated cohort (i.e., Combined Cohort students cannot enroll in Online Cohort course offerings).

Multiple Delivery Methods

We have the unique advantage of offering students multiple delivery methods including both on-campus and online delivery. Choose the cohort that provides the delivery methods that meet your schedule and flexibility.

Combined Cohort (on-campus & online options)

• Two years, full-time participation (typically 4 courses per semester)
• Attend classes on-campus or online
• Live courses
• Evening class times reduces interference with daytime obligations
• No work experience required
• Combined cohort tuition based on residency — see Graduate Program full-tuition schedule

The combined cohort offers a more traditional college experience that allows the student to choose the delivery method. Most courses in the combined cohort are delivered live which means there is a specified time and day the class meets.  Students have the flexibility to either be on-campus in the classroom or to join the class live via the internet during the specified class times. This allows students to receive live, face-to-face, dynamic instruction either by attending the physical classroom, or by connecting to the classroom in real time via the internet. Students who choose to attend online, can join class wherever they have adequate internet connection. Most courses are offered in the evening allowing students flexibility for other daytime obligations.

The combined cohort is designed for full-time students who want to complete their graduate degree in two years. Previous work experience in rehabilitation is not required for admission. Typically, four courses are offered each semester (including the summer session). This program offers 60 credits designed to prepare qualified professionals in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling.

Some courses will require field-based activities, such as community site visits and projects involving your local rehabilitation service offices and/or employers. You will also be required to arrange practicum and internship experiences in your home area or wherever available.

Online Cohort (online only)

• Three years, part-time (typically 2 courses per semester)
• Classes delivered entirely online
• Flexible class delivery allows for balancing school, work, and personal life
• Designed for professionals with work experience
• Two years of related work experience required
• $623 per graduate credit — Online only cohort customized instruction tuition rate

The online cohort utilizes asynchronous online learning methods, which means that you can participate in weekly learning assignments at a time that is most convenient for you wherever there is an adequate internet connection. Training is provided in how to access course materials through the university’s course delivery system. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums. An initial 2-day orientation is required and will be conducted virtually. This cohort’s program is delivered entirely online.

The online cohort is designed for individuals who are currently working in the field of rehabilitation or have prior employment experience working with individuals with disabilities and wish to complete their graduate degree on a part-time basis. A minimum of two years of related work experience is required for admission into the online cohort. Typically, two courses are offered each semester (including the summer session), allowing students to complete the online degree program in three years. The online cohort completes the same 60-credit curriculum and program requirements as the combined cohort.

1. Develop and demonstrate an identity as a rehabilitation counseling professional.
2. Integrate rehabilitation philosophy and principles of independence, integration, choice, self-determination, empowerment, access and respect for individual differences into rehabilitation counseling planning and service provision.
3. Demonstrate ethical behavior and ethical problem-solving consistent with the code of ethics for rehabilitation counseling professionals.
4. Utilize disability-related legislation, public policy, and attitudinal and access barriers to advocate for and with persons with disabilities and their families.
5. Identify the influences and functional impacts and implications of chronic illness and/or disability across human development and lifespan.
6. Evaluate environmental, social and economic influences that create barriers for persons with disabilities.
7. Appraise psychosocial, cultural and diversity issues that may affect the rehabilitation process.
8. Formulate counseling techniques to promote rehabilitation counseling and philosophy to chronic illness or disability adjustment.
9. Analyze jobs, employment trends and career opportunities to assist in rehabilitation planning and service provision.
10. Apply research findings to improve services to persons with disabilities.
11. Integrate vocational assessment in the rehabilitation planning.
12. Identify community resources and other services which promote independence.

Rehabilitation 

Program-Specific Application Requirements

Please submit the following to apply to the M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling program:

• Program Application [PDF]
• Current Resume
• Written Statement
• Three letters of reference or Reference Questionnaires
  • References should be professionals or faculty that can attest to your professional or academic skills.

For the online cohort, a minimum of two years related work experience is required.

Please submit all materials to the Department of Rehabilitation and Counseling.

Application Deadline: February 15th

Students are admitted in the fall semester each year. Applications received after the deadline may be considered based on available openings in the program.

Tuition fee-2 years$38,000

Total fee-2 years$60,000