Rehabilitation Counseling
Graduate Program

Introduction

The University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Counseling Program (UK-RCP) was established in 1962 and is among the oldest Rehabilitation Counseling graduate programs in the nation. The Program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The UKRCP is approved by the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education and is the only Rehabilitation Counseling master’s degree program in Kentucky.

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program is housed within the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky. The completion of the program leads to a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) and the flexible curriculum and 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 Rehabilitation Counseling Profession
:: Program Accreditation
:: The Curriculum
:: Distance Learning
:: Financial Assistance

The Rehabilitation Counseling Profession

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.

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Program Accreditation

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.

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The Curriculum

Curriculum construction 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.

For further information about the Program of Studies, see:

:: Program of Studies (On Campus)
:: Program of Studies (Distance Learning)
:: Course Descriptions

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Distance Education

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.

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.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Student Funding Resources

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.

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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