Center for the Study and Promotion of Recovery from Severe Mental Illness

Earn a Ph.D. Degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Psychiatric Rehabilitation (PsyR) is fast emerging as a unique discipline with a rapidly expanding research base. The Ph.D. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation prepares scholars, researchers, educators, and leaders in this emerging field. This research-based degree is the first in the country to offer the Ph.D. specifically in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Graduates of this program possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to help shape the future of the profession.

Faculty members in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions have extensive experience as educators and PsyR practitioners. Faculty publications include the first comprehensive psychiatric rehabilitation textbook, numerous peer reviewed articles and book chapters. A sample of these can be viewed at http://shrp.umdnj.edu/smi/ArticlesResources.htm. Widely known, faculty members have provided training and consultation throughout the US as well as in Europe and Asia. Faculty members have taken leading roles in the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) and several of its state chapters as well as with the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) Certification Commission.

The Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions offers a diverse student population a career ladder in psychiatric rehabilitation studies from the Associate of Science to the Ph.D. degree. The department also provides consultation and training to mental health agencies as well as direct services such as supported employment and supported education. Faculty members have experience and expertise in PsyR services such as supported employment, supported education, illness management and recovery, and peer provided services. Student dissertation research interests have included:

The Role of Consumer Providers in Case Management Teams
Rehabilitation Readiness in Employment Services
The Relationship of Messages about Mental Illness to Stigmatizing Attitudes among Children and Adolescents
The relationship of education, specialized training and work experience to employment and salaries among persons with mental illness

Our doctoral program is intentionally small to ensure that our students receive the guidance and support they need. Doctoral students have the opportunity to teach at different educational levels, work on funded research projects in the community and study with a small group of students dedicated to advancing psychiatric rehabilitation. Students work with a growing faculty of nationally known PsyR practitioners, academics and scholars.

Support

There are several sources of support available for doctoral students, many with tuition assistance. Each candidate’s need for support is individually assessed. The curriculum is designed to facilitate students working as psychiatric rehabilitation professionals while pursuing the degree. This way, students are kept up-to-date with multiple opportunities for trying out new techniques, research, independent study projects, etc.

Curriculum

All core doctoral classes are offered at the UMDNJ/SHRP Scotch Plains, NJ campus. Some classes may be taken at the Stratford, NJ campus or via the University’s on-line learning platform. Classes are scheduled in the evening, allowing students to remain professionally active. The degree requires completion of a minimum of 76 credits, which include the dissertation sequence. Upon acceptance, each student is assigned an advisor/mentor who guides the student through the academic and administrative hurdles to the degree. This advisement process is unrelated to the dissertation research advisor, which is based on the student’s research interests.

The curriculum consists of 76 credits from the areas of research, organizations and systems, PsyR methods, and teaching. Written and oral communications skills are stressed. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on practical applications of knowledge and skills in seminars and at practicum settings. Students are required to carry out research/practicum projects both as a member of a team and individually.

There is a liberal transfer credit policy. In addition, with faculty approval, students may develop portfolios to receive credit for specific areas of professional expertise. Students are required to sit for a preliminary examination after completing 36 core credits prior to entering candidacy for the doctorate.

A sample of courses specific to the doctoral program include:

PSRT 6301 Doctoral Seminar I

PSRT 6025 Tests and Measurements
PSRT 6107 Multivariate Statistics
PSRT 6322 Evaluation Research
PSRT 7005 Dissertation Research

Specifics about the program and curriculum can be reviewed at: http://shrp.umdnj.edu/

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, significant experience in PsyR or a similar profession, a personal statement outlining reasons for pursuing this degree and future professional plans, three letters of recommendation, GRE verbal, math and analytic scores, and a personal interview with the faculty.

For further information about the Ph.D. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation contact the Program Director:

Carlos W. Pratt, Ph.D., CPRP

Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions

UMDNJ-SHRP

1776 Raritan Road

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908-889-2461 (Office) 908-889-2432 (Fax)

pratt@umdnj.edu