Rehabilitation Counseling
Course Descriptions

Following are brief descriptions of course offerings that are required of students enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program. If any discrepancies exist between official University of Kentucky College of Education printed materials and electronic information, the information in the printed material shall have precedence unless the electronic information specifically states that it is the official source in lieu of the printed information.

RC 510 Orientation to Rehabilitation Resources (3) - A study of the breadth of agencies involved in the rehabilitation process: medical, educational, vocational, institutional, and community services for persons with disabilities. Relationships among agencies, staffing patterns, funding resources, and gaps and overlaps in services. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: Twelve hours of social or behavioral sciences or graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

RC 515 Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disabilities I (3) - This two semester course is designed to prepare rehabilitation counselors, social workers, and students in related fields with a working knowledge of the medical and psychosocial aspects of disability and chronic illness, and to provide students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to function and serve effectively in rehabilitation counseling and related interdisciplinary, allied health, and mental health settings. Topic areas include: human body systems, medical terminology, medical, functional, environmental and psychosocial aspects of disabilities and chronic illness, professional ethics, neurological conditions, substance abuse, cognitive disability, sensory disability, developmental disability, assistive technology, psychiatric rehabilitation, dual diagnosis and the workplace, diagnostic classification systems, psychopharmacology, functional capacity, and wellness and illness prevention concepts and strategies. Prerequisite: College courses in psychology and biology or consent of instructor. Prereq: College level courses in biology and psychology or consent of instructor. (Same as SW 515).

RC 516 Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disabilities II (3) - This two semester course is designed to prepare rehabilitation counselors, social workers, and students in related fields with a working knowledge of the medical and psychosocial aspects of disability and chronic illness, and to provide students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to function and serve effectively in rehabilitation counseling and related interdisciplinary, allied health, and mental health settings. Topic areas include: human body systems, medical terminology, medical, functional, environmental and psychosocial aspects of disabilities and chronic illness, professional ethics, neurological conditions, substance abuse, cognitive disability, sensory disability, developmental disability, assistive technology, psychiatric rehabilitation, dual diagnosis and the workplace, diagnostic classification systems, psychopharmacology, functional capacity, and wellness and illness prevention concepts and strategies. Prerequisite: College courses in psychology and biology or consent of instructor. Prereq: College level courses in biology and psychology or consent of instructor. (Same as SW 516).

RC 520 Principles of Rehabilitation Counseling (3) - A comprehensive introduction to rehabilitation as a human service system in modern America. Philosophical, historical, legislative, and organizational structure; rehabilitation programs and related specialties; referral and delivery systems; the rehabilitation process; and professional issues and ethics. Prereq: Twelve hours of social or behavioral sciences or graduate standing or consent of instructor.

RC 525 Human Growth, Disability, and Development Across the Lifespan (3) - This course provides a comprehensive study of human growth development in the context of rehabilitation counseling. Students will review human developmental theories across the life span and their implications and applications with persons with disabilities. Issues to be addressed include physical, emotional, moral, and cognitive development and the interaction of development and disability; human sexuality and disability; spiritually and religious aspects; transition issues as they relate to family, school, employment, aging, and disability; social and learning needs of individuals across the life span, and ethical and legal issues impacting individuals and families related to adjustment and transition. Prereq: Admission to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program or consent of instructor.

RC 530 Cultural Diversity in Rehabilitation Counseling (3) - This course is designed to assist students to develop an understanding of factors which relate to race/ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and sexual orientation as these concern participation and successful completion of rehabilitation programs. Emphasis is placed on addressing cultural myths and stereotypes. Case studies and illustrations for counseling persons from culturally diverse backgrounds will be presented. Prereq: Consent of instructor

RC 540 Chemical Dependency in Rehabilitation Counseling (3) - This course is designed to provide students with information about the effects of alcohol and other drug usage. Implications for rehabilitation counseling will be presented. Content will include an overview of theories, models of substance abuse, evaluation and assessment, and case management. Issues pertaining to gender, age, ethnicity, family prenatal exposure, dual diagnosis, and adult children of substance abusers will be addressed. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

RC 546 Transdiciplinary Services for Students with Multiple Disabilities (3) - This course will focus on the philosophical issues related to teaching students with deaf-blindness and other multiple disabilities. Professionals will discuss pertinent information related to planning for this population of students, particularly in the areas of communication, physical management, health, sensory input, and vitality. Students will utilize information obtained to plan for a student with deaf-blindness or other multiple disabilities. Strategies presented for planning will include transdisciplinary assessment, person- centered, planning, and activity-based instruction. Prereq: EDS 375 or EDS 600 or consent of instructor. (Same as EDS 546).

RC 547 Collaboration and Inclusion in School and Community Settings (3) - This course will focus on inclusion of students with moderate to severe disabilitiess in all aspects of school and community life, with special consideration given to the individual student planning variables that must be addressed in meeting the needs of each school-age student and for preparing students to function as fully and independently in their communities as possible. The course is designed to meet the needs of those pursuing certification in Moderate and Severe Disabilities and pursuing degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, School Psychology, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Communication Disorders, and related disciplines.Prereq: Consent of instructor. (Same as EDS 547.)

RC 550 Group and Family Rehabilitation Counseling (1-3) - This course is designed to prepare rehabilitation counselors and other human service providers to be knowledgeable of group counseling theory and skilled in group and family counseling techniques, with a focus on concerns related to disability and rehabilitation counseling. The course will cover the history of both group and family counseling, group counseling theories, elements of leadership in group counseling, family life cycle and models of healthy and unhealthy characteristics of families, culturally diverse perspectives of counseling, and ethical, legal, and professional issues. Students will gain practical experience with group counseling leadership and participation. Prereq: Admission to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program or consent of instructor.

RC 558 Special Topics in Rehabilitation Counseling (1-3) - Study of a selected topic within the field of rehabilitation. Topics to be chosen in accordance with professional issues, and student needs and interests. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. (Same as EDS 558.)

RC 560 Supported Employment, Independent Living, and Transitions (3) - This course emphasizes acquisition of a basic knowledge and understanding of the origins and development of supported employment, transition, and independent living. The contents of the course provide the student with the following information: philosophies for transition and supported employment programs; the concept of Person Centered Planning; a model for developing a transitional process in the community; vocational training and placement concepts of transition and supported employment; various perspectives and roles within supported employment and transition; and major elements of independent living rehabilitation. Prereq: Admission to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program or consent of instructor.

RC 610 Case Management in Rehabilitation Counseling (3) - Development and implementation of rehabilitation counseling skills and techniques into the rehabilitation process and practice. Understanding of behavior, and implementation of appropriate intervention strategies for facilitating persons with disabilities through the rehabilitation process. Case management techniques, ethics, consultation strategies, and specialized counseling skills development. Prereq: RC 520 or consent of instructor.

RC 620 Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment (3) - Evaluation and assessment principles and methods in assessment of people with disabilities in Rehabilitation Counseling settings. This course includes effective methods and techniques used in determining and enhancing the vocational potential of persons with disabilities. Content also includes exploring the ethical practice of assessment and evaluation, test development, reliability, validity, and psychometrics, report writing, use of commercial evaluation systems, and the role of assessment in rehabilitation. Lecture and laboratory components. Laboratory experience will include administration and interpretation of vocational tests and report writing. Prereq: A vocational theories course and RC 520 or consent of instructor.

RC 630 Placement Services and Techniques in Rehabilitation Counseling (3) - Development of skills for placement of persons with disabilities into a variety of settings- competitive employment, supported employment, independent living, professional ethics, philosophy of placement, pre-placement analysis, client readiness techniques, job development, job engineering, employer attitudes, business rehabilitation, and social security disability. Occupational information and its use in the placement process. Labor market analysis and procedures for analyzing client residual and transferrable work skills. Procedures for employability skills development. Prereq: A vocational theories course, RC 520 and RC 620 or consent of instructor.

RC 640 Rehabilitation in Business and Industry (3) - This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of rehabilitation in business environments. Skills to develop a professional working relationship between the rehabilitation professional, employers, the insurance industry, and other professionals will be taught. A thorough overview of worker compensation and related legislation, and other insurance rehabilitation program will be presented. The roles and functions of the rehabilitation professional including ethical practice in business and industrial rehabilitation counseling will be discussed. Prereq: Twelve hours in rehabilitation counseling and consent of instructor.

RC 650 Rehabilitation Counseling Theory and Practice I (3) - This is a two semester sequence course. This sequence is designed to provide and overview of theories of counseling and how hey can be applied to a rehabilitation counseling context with regard to persons with disabilities. A goal of this course is to acquire knowledge about theoretical orientations and to integrate theory with practice. Emphasis will be on helping students clarify beliefs, personal and professional ethics and values, and personal style, and connecting those beliefs and values to various theories. Emphasis will be on helping recognize culture, class, and gender components, as well as identifying commonalities across theories as these related to rehabilitation counseling. Prereq: Admission to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program or consent of instructor.

RC 660 Rehabilitation Counseling Theory and Practice II (3) - The focus in this second course of a two-semester sequence is the development of counseling skills and techniques used in the practice of rehabilitation counseling. Through course content and practice opportunities students gain skills and knowledge in the effective use of counseling intervention strategies and the process and practice elements of the counseling interaction as these relate to persons with disabilities. Students are exposed to the related societal, ethical, multicultural and professional issues in rehabilitation counseling practice and explore the application of counseling theory and practice in the context of rehabilitation counseling settings and the rehabilitation process. Prereq: RC 650 or consent of instructor.

RC 710 Practicum in Rehabilitation (3) -Learning experiences under faculty supervision in a community-based or state rehabilitation agency. Application of rehabilitation counseling methods, techniques, and vocational knowledge in working with persons with disabilities. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, 14 hours per week. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits with consent of instructor. Prereq: A minimum of 12 graduate hours in Rehabilitation Counseling and consent of instructor.

RC 720 Internship in Rehabilitation Counseling (3, 6, 9) - Advanced learning experiences in a rehabilitation setting or agency. Lecture, two hours; laboratory 14, 28, or 42 hours per week. Prereq: A minimum of successful completion of one year in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program and RC 710 and consent of instructor. May be repeated once for a maximum of nine credits.

RC 740 Administration and Supervision in Rehabilitation Counseling (2-3) - Administrative and supervisory aspects of rehabilitation service delivery. Administration, clinical and technical supervision, staffing, and organizational structure(s) of the rehabilitation service delivery system (state, local, and federal). Research, program evaluation, political and ethical aspects of rehabilitation administration and supervision are overviewed. Prereq: A minimum of 12 graduate hours in Rehabilitation Counseling or consent of instructor.

RC 750 Rehabilitation Research and Program Evaluation (1-3) - Introduces students to research methodology, rehabilitation counseling research, and program evaluation. Provides a comprehensive introduction to rehabilitation research, research design, ethical issues in research, hypothesis testing, research proposal development, research utilization in practice, and program evaluation methods. This is not a statistics course, however, students will be introduced to basic statistical concepts and terms. Students learn to obtain and apply information from professional literature and research in rehabilitation counseling; and participate in agency or community research activities, procedures, and materials. Prereq: A basic research course and RC 520 or consent of instructor.

RC 760 Contemporary Practices in Rehabilitation (3) - Contemporary practices including supported employment, independent living, engineering and technology, family matters, client rights, ethical practices, cultural diversity, aging, and present and future trends in the field of rehabilitation. Analysis of legislation, value systems, political and economic fluctuations and research. Prereq: A minimum of 12 graduate hours in rehabilitation counseling or consent of instructor.

RC 782 Directed Independent Study (1-3) - Study of an individually selected topic relevant to a student's academic development. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prereq: Consent of instructor.