Rehabilitation Counceling and Services
The Rehabilitation Services Department at Springfield College offers both full-time
and part-time graduate programs in Rehabilitation Counseling and Services leading
to the master’s degree as well as the Certificate of Advanced Study. The programs
are designed to provide a combination of didactic course work along with professionally
supervised clinical experiences. The Rehabilitation Counseling and Services programs
are offered in cooperation with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA),
U.S. Department of Education. RSA scholarships may be available to full-time students.
General Curriculum
The general curriculum requirements are such that each student is expected to
demonstrate skills and understanding in six basic areas of functioning. These
areas are as follows:
- Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling and Services
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Case Management
- Interviewing and Counseling (Individual, Group, Family)
- Personal Career Development and Placement
- Research, Analysis and Application
Within the general requirements, emphasis is placed on knowledge and understanding
of medical, psychological, social, educational, and vocational aspects of disability
and impairments. Faculty advisors meet with students at the beginning of their
enrollment to outline an appropriate course of study. Individual differences in
background, education, and training are taken into account in meeting the basic
requirements.
Programs
In addition to the general requirements, which are at the core of all programs,
the graduate candidate may earn a master of science or master of education degree
by completing a course of study in one of the following areas:
Rehabilitation Counseling:
General Counseling and Casework
Alcohol Rehabilitation and Substance Abuse Counseling
Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Pediatric and Developmental Disabilities
Counselor for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment
Rehabilitation Management and Administration:
Disability Management
Employee Assistance Administration
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Program Supervisor
Rehabilitation Services:
Rehabilitation Services Specialist
Cognitive Behavioral Rehabilitation
Geriatric Rehabilitation
Cardiac Counseling and Education
Addiction Services
Expressive and Activity Therapies
Citizen and Consumer Advocacy
Pediatric Early Intervention Specialist
The graduate programs are designed to meet the goals and needs of students with
a variety of educational and experiential backgrounds as well as the national
professional standards required to assist our graduates to be fully marketable
in the field. Individual eligibility should be discussed with the department chairperson
and faculty advisor. Students who have completed the master’s degree may pursue
advanced course work leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study or Post-Master’s
Certificate. Typically, students seeking the certificate wish to complement their
existing educational and professional background, training, and experience to
qualify for advanced positions or to become eligible for rehabilitation certification.
Programs are arranged individually with the student’s faculty advisor. A minimum
of thirty-two semester hours of graduate credit is required for the Certificate
of Advanced Study. Three program levels are available for the master’s degree.
Program levels may be determined and approved by the completion of the first twelve
to fifteen semester hours of course work.
Eligibility
Program Level I: Students with bachelor’s degrees but without previous rehabilitation education
or experience are eligible for the minimum sixty-semester-hour program. Students
should have a minimum of fifteen to eighteen semester hours of undergraduate course
work in the behavioral and social sciences especially psychology and sociology.
Where the undergraduate background is deficient, prerequisite course work may
be necessary.
Program Level II: Students who possess a bachelor’s degree, previous experience, concurrent employment
in rehabilitation counseling, or a minor in Rehabilitation Services Education
with at least eighteen semester hours of acceptable course work are eligible for
this program. A minimum of forty-eight semester hours of graduate credit is required.
Program Level III: In recognition of the increasing need for qualified rehabilitation specialists
to work with persons with disabilities, and the difficulties encountered by many
individuals seeking to fulfill degree requirements, guidelines have been established
for an individualized master’s degree program in Rehabilitation Services and Rehabilitation
Management and Administration only. Students with acceptable previous employment
experience, concurrent employment, or related background may plan a program of
study within the scope of departmental and related offerings. This program is
subject to departmental faculty approval and should be planned in consultation
with a departmental faculty advisor. A minimum of thirty-six semester hours of
graduate credit is required in this specialized program, although additional course
work may be necessary. A minimum of three to five years of acceptable employment
experience including a minimum of one year under the supervision of a CRC is required
for CRC eligibility.
Certification: Students accepted to this program level normally have or are obtaining the
professional experience necessary to become eligible for certification as a rehabilitation
counselor (CRC) if required or desired. This program level, however, is not designed
for certification eligibility, but rather is intended for those wishing to expand
or complement existing background and experience. Those interested primarily in
qualification for certification should consider Level I or Level II programs within
the Rehabilitation Counseling programs.
Certificate of Advanced Study
Students who have completed the master’s degree may pursue advanced course work
leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC)
in a specialty area. Admission to this program is based on individual goals and
objectives. Typically, students in this program seek to complement their existing
educational and professional background, training, and experience; qualify for
advanced position; or become eligible for certification or licensure. Programs
are arranged individually with the student’s faculty advisor. A minimum of thirty-two
semester hours of graduate credit is required for the CAS; twelve to eighteen
semester hours are required for PMC.
Accreditation Information
The Rehabilitation Counseling programs (Levels I and II) are approved and accredited
by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Students completing
all course work requirements (minimum: 48 s.h.) including research, general rehabilitation
course requirements, practica, and internships are eligible for the national certification
examination to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) and to apply for
state licensure as a Rehabilitation Counselor (LRC). Depending on the concentration,
students may also be aligible for additional certifications and licences. For
more information, see the information provided for individual concentrations.
Program Coordinators/Faculty and Telephone Numbers
Michael P. Accordino, D.Ed., CRC, LMHC - Assistant Professor
748-3258 Room 102C
Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Allison Cumming McCann, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor
748-3006 Room 107
Rehabilitation Counseling - General Casework
J. Patrick Decoteau, Ph.D., CRC/LRC - Professor
748-3375 Room 110
Rehabilitation Counseling - General Casework
Bernard T. Graney, Ph.D. - Professor
748-3320 Room 109
Pediatric and Developmental Disabilities
Robert L. Hewes, Ph.D., CRC - Assistant Professor
748-3769 Room 108
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
Thomas J. Ruscio, CRC/LRC - Department Chair
748-3566 Room 112
Management and Administration; Rehabilitation Counseling; General Cases; Rehabilitation
Counseling for Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Special Services
Joseph F. Stano, Ph.D., NCC, CRC/LRC - Professor
748-3375 Room 102B
Vocational Evaluation - Work Adjustment Specialist
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