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Introduction The Rehabilitation Counseling Program is housed within the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky. The UKRCP offers graduate degrees at the master's and doctoral level. Completion of the master's program leads to a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) and the flexible curriculum can be tailored to meet each student’s individual needs and interests. The program prepares students to become professional rehabilitation counselors, able to assist persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals through the application of the rehabilitation counseling process; thus enhancing the quality of life of consumers. The focus of our Ph. D. program is Rehabilitation Counselor education, research, and administration. Our doctorate is offered in conjunction with the Department's doctorate in Special Education, and information on admissions and the general guidelines for the doctoral program are available at the "Doctoral Study" link below. For more information about our doctoral program, or if you have any questions, please contact Malachy Bishop, Ph. D., CRC, Doctoral Program Coordinator at mbishop@uky.edu.
Rehabilitation Counseling is a challenging and rapidly growing profession. Rehabilitation Counselors are professional counselors who specialize in assisting individuals who have disabilities or chronic illnesses in maximizing their personal, education, and vocational potential and independence. Rehabilitation counselors work with individuals with a variety of physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Rehabilitation counselors must demonstrate competencies in establishing counseling relationships, individual, group, and family counseling techniques, assessment procedures and instruments, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability and chronic illness, vocational counseling, program planning, coordination, and evaluation, and have an awareness of professional and community resources that can be utilized in the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation Counselors are employed in a wide range of public and private rehabilitation settings including state and community rehabilitation and mental health agencies, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, schools and universities, and private businesses.
The Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and approved by the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education. Our most recent annual accreditation report can be found on the Public Performance Information page.
Curriculum construction for our master's program enables students to complete their program either in a full-time, four semester (sixteen months including summer courses) sequence, or through part-time study. All courses necessary for graduation are offered during the late afternoon and evening on a rotating basis. Coursework is integrated with extensive field work, totaling a minimum of 55-60 credit hours or 48 credit hours for students with undergraduate degrees in rehabilitation education. Students are eligible to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination. Students can also complete and graduate with 60 credit hours, which is often needed to meet the requirements of professional licensure boards. Elective courses and additional courses required for professional licensure are offered by Special Education, Education, School, and Counseling Psychology, Social Work, and other disciplines. Description of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program The UK-GPRC is a 54-60 credit hour program, which may be completed in l6 months of full time study. The university requirement for graduation includes a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B). For the campus program graduation requirements may be fulfilled through part or full time study. Courses are offered in the late afternoon and early evening. The Rehabilitation Counseling Program maintains separate on-campus and distance learning (DL) programs.
Enrollment in the DL program was designed and structured for full-time employed practicing rehabilitation counselors. Students take online courses and the program is structured so that DL students can also complete the program in a 16 month time frame. Students enrolled in the on-campus program are required to take the on-campus courses, except in special circumstances and with a petition to and subsequent approval by the RC faculty. The campus and distance learning program are equivalent with regard to the curriculum, course requirements, content, and learning outcomes.
The curriculum includes a core of 39 hours of required coursework of rehabilitation counseling and related coursework. Three to nine credit hours are reserved for electives, and twelve hours for fieldwork (practicum and internship). Full time enrollment requires a minimum of nine credit hours per semester. However, in order to complete the curriculum in 16 months students take 15-18 credit hours during the regular academic year and 13 hours during the summer semesters.
Students with a bachelor’s degree from an approved undergraduate rehabilitation education program or who have taken rehabilitation counseling classes on a post baccalaureate basis may petition the program faculty to waive up to 12 credit hours. A request of this nature should be made in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies prior to the completion of the student's first semester of study. A total of 12 credit hours may be transferred from another institution. Thus, a minimum of 45 credit hours would be required to graduate but the typical program is 54-60 credit hours.
For further information about the Program of Studies, see:
:: Program of Studies (On Campus Master's Degree)
Our distance education program is tailored to meet the educational needs of employed professionals and can be completed in a sixteen month time frame, the same as our campus students. Read more about our Distance Education option.
Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program may take advantage of a number of opportunities for student funding and financial aid, including scholarships and research assignments working with faculty in the department. Assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships are also offered through The Graduate School. Martin-Thacker Scholarships: The Martin-Thacker Scholarship was established by an endowment from Dr. Helen Thacker Hill and Dr. Leslie Martin in 1998. The purpose of this Endowment is to train rehabilitation counseling professionals to work in rural areas of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and serve persons with developmental disabilities. One or two scholars are appointed each year. The award includes stipend and tuition assistance. Please contact the program office for more information about the Martin-Thacker Scholarship. Federal Rehabilitation Service Administration Grant Program: We presently have a federal personnel preparation grant from the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA). This grant provides a stipend and tuition support for students who express an interest and are committed to employment in the state-federal rehabilitation program and related agencies. Please refer to the attached file: "Funding Available in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program" (PDF) for more information. Opportunities for Kentucky State University Students: In partnership with Kentucky State University (KSU), the Program in Rehabilitation Counseling maintains two programs to assist KSU students interested in exploring or entering a career in Rehabilitation Counseling: The Endorsement Curriculum and the University Scholars Program. Please contact the program office for more information about these opportunities. A number of additional opportunities for student funding and financial aid are available. Interested students should contact the Rehabilitation Counseling Program for further information or Academic Services - Scholarships. Assistantships and fellowships are also offered through The Graduate School.
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Dr. Debra Harley
Dr. Katherine McCormick
Dr. Sonja Feist-Price
Malachy Bishop |
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updated 03-22-2012 by Linda Gassaway
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For professionals already employed as rehabilitation counselors or in related disciplines, opportunities to participate in the Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling are available via Distance Education. 
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Lexington, KY 40506 -- (859) 257-6076
Equal Opportunity University | Accredited by NCATE
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Lexington, KY 40506 -- (859) 257-6076
Equal Opportunity University | Accredited by NCATE
Emergency Management | Disclaimer | Login