CHHS >> Counseling >> Programs of Study >> Rehabilitation Counseling
Welcome to the Rehabilitation Counseling Training Program Website
- Mission
- Program Objectives
- The Field of Rehabilitation Counseling
- Our Program
- Scholarships
- Rehabilitation Student Association
- Alumni
- Program Faculty and Instructors
- Indicators of Quality & Program Evaluation
- RCTP Advisory Board
- Certification & Licensure
- Resources, Professional Organizations and Related Links
- Application Process
- Important Handbooks/Material
Our Mission
To train empathic, culturally competent rehabilitation counselors to work in partnership with persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their families, in a manner that considers the barriers and assets of each individual and his/her environment, in order to facilitate and empower the individual to achieve optimal access and community integration.
Program faculty accomplishes this mission by facilitating training that is:
- Responsive to the contemporary needs of those we serve;
- Grounded in multicultural competency and social justice;
- Integrated with community partners including persons with disabilities and chronic illness;
- Clinically rigorous; students complete two full years of field work prior to graduation.
Program Objectives
The RCTP recruits, admits, and retains a culturally diverse student body that is prepared to work in a variety of rehabilitation counseling and allied settings. The program strives to prepare professionals who are multicultural competent and able to provide rehabilitation counseling in a legal and ethical manner, adhering to the Code of Professional Ethics and Scope of Practice for the profession. The RCTP program provides a high quality learning environment which stimulates interactions and communication with faculty and with other students. The program provides opportunities for students to have exposure and interaction with leaders and workers in the profession, consumer and advocacy groups and other helping professionals. Students are encouraged to develop skills for lifelong learning through involvement with professional organizations, access to rehabilitation publications, and other conference participation.
The RCTP is committed to a culture that is inclusive of, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual identity sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, national origin, disability, age, and indigenous status. Therefore, we encourage persons from all cultural backgrounds to apply to our program.
The Field Of Rehabilitation Counseling
What is Rehabilitation Counseling? Rehabilitation Counselors are trained to provide an array of counseling-related services in partnership with persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses to address the social, psychological, environmental, vocational, educational and living needs of the individual and his/her family in order to assist the individual in achieving optimal access and community integration. Rehabilitation counselors perform multiple roles including counselor, advocate, and case manager, and are trained to consider the interaction between the individual and his/her environment in service planning. “Disability” refers to a situation in which significant life activities and community participation are substantially limited due to factors related to a person’s health condition and his/her environment. For additional information about the field and history of rehabilitation counseling, please see the following articles: Rehabilitation Counseling (Berven, 2008) and Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling (Chan, Chronister, Allen, Catalano & Lee (2004).
Employment Outlook: There is a high demand for rehabilitation counselors. Nationally, approximately 50 million people have disabilities or chronic illness, and our health and mental health care system is ill-equipped to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of persons with disabilities and chronic illness. In addition, many of our returning war veterans have severe disabilities such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, which demand the services of trained rehabilitation counselors. Our public vocational rehabilitation system is facing a substantial workforce need with 25% of counselors needing to be replaced due to normal attrition rates and retirement. Finally, rehabilitation counselors bring an expertise regarding disability to any health or mental health agency, school or college setting, and many other non-profit agencies.
Employment Options & Salary: Rehabilitation counselors practice in many settings including public vocational rehabilitation programs, non-profit organizations, county mental health agencies, independent living centers, community colleges and 4-year universities, disability resource departments in educational settings, substance abuse agencies, Veterans Administration Hospitals and other medical centers and hospitals, k-12 public schools, job training centers, insurance companies, and private industry Salaries vary widely and range from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on the place of employment. The California Department of Rehabilitation ranges in pay from approximately $47,000 to $65,000.
Our Program
Situated within the broader Department of Counseling which offers training in six counseling specializations, rehabilitation counseling students have the opportunity to obtain an MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with rehabilitation counseling as their only specialization, or by graduating with a dual focus with rehabilitation counseling as either the primary specialization or the secondary emphasis. For example, Rehabilitation Counseling may be combined with one other specialization including Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC), Gerontological, Career, College, or School Counseling.
Curriculum
To obtain a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, you will need to complete a minimum of two years (60 units) of academic coursework including two academic years of 12 and 16 (minimum) hours respectively of supervised clinical fieldwork. Most students complete the program in 3 years. If you start your field work in the second year, it will take 3 years to complete the program. Rehabilitation Counseling Graduates are trained in the core counseling curriculum which covers such areas as individual and group counseling theory, skills and techniques; developmental, psychological, social and cultural foundations of counseling; and research and assessment. In addition, students take five rehabilitation courses in the areas of professional issues, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability; career development and occupational information, and case management and special topics in rehabilitation counseling. Students are required to do fieldwork in a rehabilitation counseling placement, preferably under the supervision of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Please see the RCTP Student Handbook for additional details.
Curriculum (beginning Fall 2012)
| Course | Title | Units |
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Practicum Supervision | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Alcohol and Substance Abuse | 3 |
| COUN 762 | Professional Identity and Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical, Functional and Environmental Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Career Development & Job Placement | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 870 | Case Management and Special Topics in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 |
Curriculum (prior to Fall 2012)
| Course | Title | Units |
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Practicum & Internship | 2-3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 735 | Advanced Practicum and Internship | 2-4 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Alcohol and Substance Abuse | 3 |
| COUN 748 | Rehabilitation Assistive Technology | 3 |
| COUN 762 | Seminar on Field of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical and Social Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Occupational Information, Dynamics and Placement in RC | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Internship | 2-4 |
| Total Units | 60 |
Additional Courses required for eligibility for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
| Course | Title | Units |
| COUN 737 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
Preparation for Doctoral Study
For students interested in pursuing a career in rehabilitation counseling research, teaching or as a rehabilitation psychologist, this program prepares students to competitively apply for Rehabilitation Counseling Education/Rehabilitation Psychology doctoral programs. Please talk to Dr. Chronister or Dr. Vaughn about preparation, programs, and research opportunities in the department.
Scholarships
The RCTP has a grant with the Rehabilitation Services Administration to provide rehabilitation counseling students with an annual stipend of approximately $5,900. Students who receive this award have a payback requirement upon graduation that requires two years employment in the public vocational rehabilitation system or at a non-profit rehabilitation agency for every year of receipt of the award. Contact Dr. Julie Chronister for additional information @ 
jchronis@sfsu.edu. Additional financial aid and scholarship information is located on the following websites:
http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/costs/costs.html
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/main-scholar-fellowship.htm
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/gradreqs.htm#18752
Rehabilitation Student Association (RSA)
The Rehab Students Association (RSA) is a student organization focused on networking, support, education, professional development, and community within the Rehabilitation Counseling Program. All students are encouraged to join.
RSA Officers
Jenna French - President of RSA
My name is Jenna French and I am a second year rehabilitation counseling student on the three year track. I am a San Francisco native who loves to go to new restaurants, watch documentaries, explore the Mission/Castro neighborhoods and go to Giants Games. I am currently the President of RSA and have really enjoyed working with the RSA team for the past two years. We have organized some great educational events for our fellow counseling students and faculty. This program has been a wonderful opportunity for learning, growth and achievement. If you are interested in joining RSA please do so! All counseling students are welcomed with open arms and smiles.
Barbara McEntee - Vice President of RSA
I am a second year rehabilitation counseling student; currently on the 3 year track. I live in the North Bay. I enjoy animals, children, exploring the natural environment that surrounds my home and doing research for both professional goals and personal goals. I have been involved with RSA for 2 years; first as the Secretary and now as Vice President. RSA has been a positive growth experience that has enhanced my journey in the counseling program.
Kimberly Gross - Secretary of RSA
My name is Kimberly Gross and I am a third year College and Rehabilitation counseling student. I am a California native and currently reside in the East Bay. I have a passion for international cuisine and consider myself a ‘foodie.’ This is my first year as an RSA officer and I am excited to embark on this journey! RSA has some exciting events planned for the 2011-2012 year and I am really looking forward to engaging and networking with fellow counselors in training, as well as local and national Rehabilitation professionals.
Program Faculty & Instructors
- Julie Chronister, PHD, CRC – Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty and Program Coordinator [Chronister Vita]
- Mya Vaughn, PHD, CRC – Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty [Vaughn Vita]
- Click this link for a complete list of the DOC faculty.
Indicators of Quality & Program Evaluation
Our program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), certifying that it meets national training standards. In addition, our faculty and instructors are comprised of full-time faculty as well as working rehabilitation counselors and rehabilitation psychologists. We work closely with professionals in the field to insure we are providing our students with up-to-date, hands-on training that prepares them to work with contemporary rehabilitation populations in a vast array of settings. For example, all students take coursework in substance abuse, and we facilitate regular workshops/topical presentations from working rehabilitation counselors on such areas as psychiatric rehabilitation, disability and sexuality, private rehabilitation, and rehabilitation resources and community services. In addition, nearly 100% of our graduates are immediately employed upon graduation.
Program Evaluation
How do you know you are receiving quality training? How do we know our program is effective in meeting its stated mission? The University, Department, RCTP faculty, students, advisory board and other community partners are regularly involved in systematic and periodic evaluations of the overall program. We are constantly gathering formative and summative data to insure program effectiveness annually, semi-annually and monthly. Some of the methods we use gather information about program effectiveness include:
- University-wide Program Assessment
- Satisfaction Surveys (students, field supervisors, alumni and employers)
- Recruitment, Retention, & Placement Data collection
- Advisory Board
- Faculty Retreats
- Field Placement Evaluations
- Field placement Supervisor Meetings
- Student Evaluation Meetings
- Rehabilitation Student Association (RSA) meetings.
RCTP Advisory Board
We have an established Advisory Board. Below is a list of our current board members:
- Nicole Bohn, Acting Director, Disability Programs & Resource Center, San Francisco State University
- Julie Chronister, Associate Professor, Coordinator, RCTP, San Francisco State University
- Peter Harsch, District Administrator, Redwood Empire District California Department of Rehabilitation
- Larry Hickey, Manager, Employment and Benefits, University of California San Francisco
- John Hollender, Rehabilitation Director, Contra Costa County Mental Health Vocational Services
- Carol Hyland, District Administrator, Greater East Bay District, California Department of Rehabilitation
- Ann Perkins, Director of Rehabilitation Relations SCVMS, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- Theresa Razzano, Rehabilitation Director, Alameda County Vocational Program
- Darlene Rutkowski, District Administrator , California Department of Rehabilitation San Francisco District
- Judy Siff, Program Director, Goodwill Industries
- Deborah Sweeney, District Administrator, Department of Rehabilitation San Jose District
- Wendy Tobias, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor , Department of Rehabilitation
- Mya Vaughn, Assistant Professor RCTP, San Francisco State University
- Lesley Zwillinger, Faculty Emeritus San Francisco State University
Certification & Licensure
Students who graduate from our program are eligible to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) by passing the National Certified Rehabilitation Counseling Exam. Today, there are more than 35,000 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors practicing in the US, and employers look for this certification to insure a quality rehabilitation counseling workforce. Students are encouraged to take the CRC exam immediately upon graduation. Information about the CRC application process can be found at the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) website located at: http://www.crccertification.com/. Our students are also eligible to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of California. Our curriculum is designed to provide all rehabilitation students with the opportunity to take the courses needed to be able to accrue post-graduate hours towards LPCC and take the required exams. Please see the following websites for additional information about LPCC: http://www.bbs.ca.gov/lpcc_program/index.shtml and http://calpcc.org/
Resources, Professional Organizations and related links
- American Rehabilitation Counseling Association
- National Rehabilitation Association
- National Rehabilitation Counseling Association
- National Council for Rehabilitation Educators
- Careers in Vocational Rehabilitation
- National Clearing House for rehabilitation training material
- World Institute on Disability
- National Council on Disability
- Rehabilitation Services Administration
Application Process
Our program is part of the Department of Counseling and applicants are required to follow the department and graduate school’s application process. Please click on the Department of Counseling "Prospective Students" page for detailed information.
