Master in Psychiatric Rehabilitation -
Leadership Track

Careers in Psychiatric Rehabilitation

What is Psychiatric Rehabilitation?

Psychiatric rehabilitation includes theories and techniques designed to work with the whole person to improve individual functioning so that persons with severe mental illness can choose, get and keep roles that they value in the community. Such roles include employee, student, member of a social network, and independent resident of the community. Desired outcomes are characterized by accomplishing and supporting the fullest possible integration of the person as an active and productive member of community, improving the person’s own management of the illness, and facilitating recovery including finding new meaning and purpose in life. Key values emphasized in psychiatric rehabilitation services include choice, empowerment, and hope. The approach is holistic integrating mind, body, and spirit. Services may be provided one to one or in small groups.

What preparation for a career in Psychiatric Rehabilitation will I receive in the Leadership Track of the M.S. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation?

The Leadership Track will prepare you for positions at the management and supervisory level in psychiatric rehabilitation as well as positions as a trainer/educator or applied researcher. The curriculum for this Track is built around core knowledge and skills in psychiatric rehabilitation for example wellness and recovery and evidence-based and emerging promising practices plus specialized study in the areas of management and supervision, organization and program development, and statistics and applied research. Psychiatric rehabilitation course work focuses on the study of psychiatric rehabilitation as a distinct discipline, its historical roots, and its current best practices. In addition, a great deal of attention is paid to the practical skills of psychiatric rehabilitation, including their application to counseling, assessment, planning and interventions. To make practical application of the knowledge and skills learned in course work students, with advisement, complete a practicum or independent study project or thesis. You can attend the program either full time or part time and may be able to complete the practicum experience on your current job if you are employed in psychiatric rehabilitation services. These studies are designed to prepare the student for the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) credential.

What are the employment opportunities in Psychiatric Rehabilitation?

Professionals with master’s degrees in Psychiatric Rehabilitation find employment in many settings including government and non-profit agencies. Currently, there is high demand for professionals with specialized preparation in psychiatric rehabilitation and who hold the CPRP.