Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling

Certificates in Rehabilitation Counseling:

Students who are interested in taking selected courses but do not wish to enroll in the full master’s degree may wish to consider the Department’s Certificate Programs.  Certificates related to rehabilitation counseling include the Post Master’s Certificate and the Post Bachelor’s Certificate.  A certificate is also available in psychiatric rehabilitation.

Note:  Students who wish to obtain a Certificate must indicate their interest in getting a Certificate and complete a short application before starting any courses in the Certificate Program.  Course credit for certificates cannot be applied retroactively.

Post Master’s Certificate in Rehabilitation Counseling:

This certificate is designed for individuals who have a master’s degree in counseling and wish to complete additional specialized coursework to enhance professional credentials.  A minimum of 9 credits is required.  Courses are selected by advisement to meet student learning objectives.  All courses must be taken for credit. 

Students interested in obtaining professional credentials should check with the source providing the credential regarding requirements needed to qualify for the credential.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact these sources directly regarding all requirements including specific course work needed for the desired credential.  It should be noted that many credentials have other requirements such as work experience in addition to the educational requirements.  UMDNJ can not assure that you will qualify for any license or credential upon completing the certificate.

Post Bachelor’s Certificate in Rehabilitation Counseling:

Students who have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in taking selected courses may wish to consider the Post Bachelor’s Certificate.  The Certificate requires completion of four courses (12 credits).  All courses must be taken for credit.  These courses may be applied to the master’s degree if you decide to pursue the full M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling degree.

The required courses for the Post Bachelor’s Certificate are:

PSRT 5323   Theories of Counseling and Personality

PSRT 5132   Medical Aspects of Disabilities

PSRT 5102   Counseling Techniques I

PSRT 5201   Career Development Theory

Or

PSRT 5315   Evaluation and Assessment

Students who have previous coursework in one or more of these areas may substitute other courses by advisement.  Courses which may be considered for the certificate include:

PSRT 5313   Foundations of the Counseling Profession

PSRT 5310   Psychosocial Aspects of Disability

PSRT 5320   Social and Cultural Diversity Issues

PSRT 5123   Community Counseling and Resources

PSRT 5242   Group Methods

PSRT 5030   Statistical and Research Methods

Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation:

The Department offers a 9-credit Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation.  Courses are selected to reflect student interest and background in this area.  For additional information about this Certificate, contact Prof. Amy Spagnolo at (908) 889-2544 or by e-mail at spagnoam@umdnj.edu.

Credentialing:

The Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredits the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program.  Upon completion of 75% of the program, you may apply for and take the examination to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). More information about the CRC credential including the examination is available at  www.crccertification.com.  The CRCC can be contacted at:

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 300
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
(847) 944-1325

You may also wish to consider applying for other credentials, such as the National Certified Counselor (NCC) available through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).  NBCC is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose primary purposes are to establish and monitor a national certification system, to identify to professionals and the public those counselors who have voluntarily sought and obtained generic counselor certification, and to maintain a registry of these counselors.  This process grants recognition to counselors who have met predetermined NBCC standards in their training, experience, and performance on the National Counselor Examination.   A counselor who is certified by the NBCC uses the designation NCC, National Certified Counselor.  Applicants must meet both education and experience requirements in order to qualify to sit for the NCC examination.  Additional information about the requirements for this credential is available at www.nbcc.org.

The Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential (CPRP) available through the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA is a test-based certification that fosters the growth of a qualified, ethical, and culturally diverse psychiatric rehabilitation workforce through enforcement of a practitioner code of ethics.  This credential requires work experience in psychiatric rehabilitation as well as educational course work related to psychiatric rehabilitation.  For more information, visit the USPRA web site at www.uspra.org.

Note: Licensing availability and requirements vary from state to state.  Students should check with the state where they are interested in obtaining licensure to obtain information about requirements in that state for the type of license the student is interested in obtaining.  Licensure requirements may include both education and relevant work experience. Students are responsible for obtaining additional information about and making application for credentials in which they are interested.  UMDNJ can not assure that you will qualify for any license or credential upon completing the degree.

New Jersey provides for licensure of Rehabilitation Counselors.  Additional information about the Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor (LRC) credential can be obtained from the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, Professional Counselors Examiners Committee, P.O. Box 45007, Newark, New Jersey 07101.