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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's a Rehabilitation Counselor?
A rehabilitation counselor is a trained counselor who possesses the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to collaborate in a professional relationship with people who have disabilities to achieve their personal, social, psychological and vocational goals.
Rehabilitation Counselors work in a variety of settings, including state and federal agencies, insurance companies, business and industry, corrections agencies, educational settings, rehabilitation facilities, and mental health hospitals. Many rehabilitation counselors specialize in such areas as mental health, substance abuse, and corrections, or specific populations such as individuals with brain or spinal cord injury or sensory disabilities.
Q: Are there specific undergraduate courses I should have?
The masters degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling is specifically designed to accommodate students with a wide variety of academic backgrounds. There are no specific required prerequisites, although some coursework in psychology and/or sociology is helpful.
Q: What is a Practicum? An Internship?
Practicum and Internship courses provide students the opportunity to experience the work of a professional rehabilitation counselor in direct service settings in the community. Students develop their counseling skills and learn the responsibilities of a rehabilitation counselorwork as they work with clients under the supervision of an agency supervisor. Faculty supervisors work one-on-one with these students, assisting them to refine their skills as counselors and professionals. Practicum and Internship experiences are planned by the student with guidance from faculty members.
Q: What are the minimum GPA and GRE required for admission?
The University requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate study and a combined verbal + quantitative score of 1000 on the GRE. Occasionally we do admit students that do not meet these minimum requirements, but where there may have been extenuating circumstances and where there is clear evidence that the student will be capable of succeeding in graduate study.
Q: When are the application deadlines for the Master's Program?
Application deadlines are
- June 1 for Fall semester
- October 1 for Spring semester, and
- March 1 for Summer semester
Students may request to enter in any semester; however, the program sequence is designed for students to enter in Fall.
Q: Can I be a part-time student?
Students have the option of full- or part-time status. We can also accommodate non-traditional students.
Q: What job opportunities will be available to me with a Master's in Rehab Counseling?
Rehabilitation Counselors have a broad array of jobs available to them. Their training prepares them for employment in many different areas, providing many vocational options. Most of our graduates secure employment prior to graduation and the very strong outlook for employment for skilled professionals is expected to continue.
Q: What types of Licenses or Certifications might I qualify for after graduation?
Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to sit for the certification exam to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).
With appropriate elective coursework, they may also meet academic requirements for licensure as a State of Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
Students may also qualify for additional credentials, with appropriate elective coursework and experience, including Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE), and Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) or Certified Addictions Professional (CAP).
Q: Is there a PhD program in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Florida?
For students seeking advanced training in rehabilitation research and college teaching, the College of Public Health and Health Professions offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Rehabilitation Science. This program is interdisciplinary in composition, and includes students with backgrounds in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Communicative Disorders as well as Rehabilitation Counseling. For students who secure a masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and are admitted to the Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science, 30 hours of Masters degree courses may be transferred into the Ph.D. program to partially meet those course requirements.
Visit the Rehabilitation Science web site.