Oct 10, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling


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Check departmental information for additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.  

Admission


Rehabilitation counseling admits students each term. For qualified applicants to the program, a pre-admission interview must be completed before a final admission decision is made. The application deadline is February 1 for the fall and summer terms and September 1 for the spring term. To be assured consideration for admission in the master’s degree program in rehabilitation counseling, prospective students must submit completed application materials (application forms, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation) to the graduate school by the stated application deadline.  

Prospective students who fail to meet the GPA requirement for admission may request special consideration for their applications. Such requests must be in writing, must include compensatory evidence related to the deficiency, and should accompany the application for admission to the Graduate School. Final decisions regarding admissions are made by the program’s admissions committee on the basis of a total profile of an applicant’s qualifications.  

A maximum of 12 semester hours of student-at-large credit may be applied to degree requirements. In addition, the maximum combined total student-at-large hours plus transfer credit may not exceed 12 semester hours.

An accelerated B.S. in Rehabilitation and Disability Services/M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling program is available. See Undergraduate Catalog for requirements.

Requirements


Students must complete a minimum of 56 semester hours to complete the degree. Because this program is fully accredited by CACREP, a student who successfully completes the required curriculum, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship under the supervision of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, is eligible to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC) Examination. Students are eligible for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois after passing the CRC exam and the successful completion of the program. 

Other Requirements


Students are required to complete a total of 200 approved professional development hours, including direct involvement with supervised counseling, professional meetings, and the disability community.

Clinical and other specific requirements are available in the Rehabilitation Counseling Student Handbook.

Thesis Option


A thesis must be submitted and approved. Students selecting this option must also pass a comprehensive examination, which includes a defense of the thesis.

Non-thesis Option


Students selecting this option must pass an oral and written examination, which will assess knowledge and ability in the specialization.

Grading Policies for Clinical Courses


Students must make satisfactory progress in clinical practicum and internship courses. Students who earn two grades of C or lower in clinical practicum courses (i.e., REHB 686, REHB 690, or REHB 694) will be dismissed from the graduate program.

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