Because of the massive shortages in the field, a significant trend in the field of rehabilitation counseling is distance degree offerings. This includes degrees that are 100% on-line to degrees that are primariliy on-line. These programs are all accredited by regional accrediting bodies and most are accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Accreditation. Typically individuals graduating from these programs are able to become licensed professional counselors and certified rehabiliation counselors. Major programs include San Diego State University, Utah State, University of North Texas, University of Arkansas Little Rock, New Mexico Highlands University, Assumption College and Southern University (there are actually several more programs, but could not remember all of them). I currently serve as an executive director of a state agency providing rehabiliation services. I am curious if any members of this group have particpated in any of these degrees and what their experience was? I am also curious if others might be interested in considering these type of degrees since significant employment opportunities exist across the country (primarily public sector, but some private sector opportunities also exist)?
Hi I just wanted to offer my insight if you don't mind. I think that this program is a great idea. In fact, I would actually widen the sprectrum as opposed to just limiting it to rehabilitation counseling. There are a lot of folks working out there in the community/govt without some of these trainings. My old alma mater (University of Hawaii at Manoa) is currently offering the M.A in Rehabilitation Counseling Online. I think the challege of balancing the practicum experiences with online work as well as addressing other student responsibilities is the challenge. I think programs in general counseling, corrections counseling, education and substance abuse counseling could readily assist many working professionals out there.
I'm sure this is important. But maybe nobody in this field participates in degreeinfo.com My daughter works in one area of rehabilitation in the UK but there a Psychology degree is preferred.
Michael, unfortunately there are very clear reasons why the profession of Rehabilitation Counseling is suffering from severe shortages of personnel which is that of all counseling specializations, Rehabilitation Counseling is the lowest paying! This finding was recently published by the CRCC. In addition, many state and private sector positions for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors pay very meager salaries. These low salaries discourage men from entering graduate programs in this honorable and worthwhile profession which translates into a lower salary structure in general. There are significant factors contributing to the failure of this profession from attaining greater recognition, status and financial remuneration and a higher level of attraction of prospective students to graduate study. Primarily, when certification began in the 1970's Rehabilitation Counselors were told that it would lead to greater recognition, status and financial reward. Unfortunately for many years the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification allowed professionals from other disciplines (ie, OTs, teachers, Psychologists, Social Work, Recreation Therapists, etc) to be eligible for certification although their primary graduate degrees and training were in disparate professions. This fact resulted in more certified counselors and a greater number of certified individuals who could be hired by employers. HOWEVER it also adulterated the profession of Rehabilitation Counseling because if a Teacher, Social Worker or others were certified it decreased the status of trained Rehabilitation Counselors and made them very dispensable. Although the CRCC has recently tightened their criteria for certification the damage has already been done and the field suffered from dramatic levels of decline of students entering graduate professions in this field. There is another critical piece of this problem. IMO, the leadership of the CRCC, past and present, has failed to initiate and implement a comprehensive strategic marketing plan to educate the public, agencies and other professions as to the value and need for Rehabilitation Counselors. Nor have they the addressed the meager salary issue abounding in many state and private sector agencies. In fact a review of some of the commissions recent announcements relating to their "accomplishments" focuses in depth on the great strides they have made for the profession, as for example their developing a new website, online testing and a new logo. IMO, these laughable strides do absolutely nothing to advance the profession or to enhance the status and financial remuneration of Rehabilitation Counselors and continue a pattern of maintaining a status quo that has resulted in the stagnation and non-progression of this very worthwhile profession. It also led to a lack of attraction of prospective students from entering this profession.
Simon hit it on the head. Just to add, states like NY which are old school and highly regulated require additional certifications or even LCSW's or MSW's. Along with additional years of study, internships and the fact that the state will not RECOGNIZE many schools (NA is out for sure), it magnifies the low pay situation and sends people in other directions. Another reason for the low pay is that many social programs are training peers (ie formerly homeless or addicted or psychiatrically disabled or incarcerated) to become peer advocates and counselors. Since they are considered entry level with little experience, it lowers the overall wages. I think there is a need for quality management in the counseling professions but that pay is also low and the opportunites are not quite as plentiful as your post suggests.
