Help clients work toward a life of greater independence and well‑being.
Rehabilitation counseling is part of life for millions of Americans. For many, it offers relief from disabilities that have been a factor since birth. For others, it provides therapy for the physical, social and emotional effects of traumatic experiences, including depression or other mental health conditions. It establishes a support system to help individuals in a community overcome challenges they may face in their day-to-day life.
The online Master of Arts in Counseling with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Dakota can help you provide more targeted care for those in need — providing support to help individuals gain autonomy in their lives. Focus your expertise in education, independent living and daily life, and prepare to better serve client populations with physical or psychiatric disabilities, neurological impairments, developmental delays and issues related to aging.
This track is designed for those who would like to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors*, with an emphasis on how to effectively counsel a wide variety of clients in the community. Primary focus areas include school-age transition, substance abuse, education, veteran care and more.
*Licensure requirements vary by state, province or territory. Students should confirm requirements prior to enrollment.
Transfer credits accepted
Prepare to serve
diverse populations
3 start dates per year: spring, summer or fall
100% online coursework
No GMAT/GRE
required
Why focus your education
in Rehabilitation Counseling?
- Career prospects: Job growth for rehabilitation counselors is expected to increase 10% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than the national average.*
- Broaden your care: Learn to work with people who are navigating disabilities they’ve had since birth or stemming other factors, as well as physical or neurological impairments that result from either biology or trauma.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Why choose UND for your
online degree?
- Complete primarily asynchronous coursework 100% online.
- Gain practical field experience by completing an internship at a facility in your community.
- Prepare for counseling Ph.D. programs or Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counselor Education programs.
- Benefit from a program housed within the College of Education & Human Development.
What can you learn?
Rehabilitation counseling draws from a number of interdisciplinary programs, including psychology, human services, sociology and social work. In this track, you can gain the knowledge, awareness and skills to help individuals with birth-related or acquired disabilities work toward achieving their goals in education, work, independent living and more.
During the program, you will complete at least 600 internship hours at a facility in your community. This experience will help you assist clients who require support in vocational counseling, mental health, independent living, substance abuse, gerontological issues, developmental disabilities and more. A minimum of 240 direct client contact hours are also required.
Focus your studies on:
- The code of professional ethics in counseling psychology, supervision, research and teaching of best practices applied toward diverse populations.
- The examination of procedures and techniques related to individualized case and caseload management.
- The development and implementation of rehabilitation or return-to-work plans for specific client needs.
- The functional implication of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
What can you do?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, rehabilitation counselors accounted for 120,200 jobs in 2019. The largest industry sectors included community and vocational rehabilitation services (30%), individual and family services (17%), state government (14%) and nursing or residential care facilities (13%).
Students in this track can develop a strong foundation of knowledge, awareness and skills to work with clients from multiple backgrounds. This can help you foster a culture of acceptance that embraces diverse and competent care transcending racial identity, gender, socioeconomic status and other identifying circumstances within the scope of rehabilitation counseling.
Qualify for roles including:
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Case Manager
- Independent Living Specialist
Admission Requirements
You’ve decided to earn your Master of Arts in Counseling with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling, and you’re just a few steps away from completing the application process. Take some time to review the admission requirements and items needed to submit your application.