Vocational Rehabilitation, M.S.

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Introduction

Master of Science Degree The Vocational Rehabilitation program is founded on the assumption of the worth, dignity and value of all individuals. Accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), the program is guided by its mission to prepare rehabilitation professionals committed to facilitating the personal, social and economic independence of individuals with disabilities throughout the rehabilitation or habilitation process. The program emphasizes vocational issues as the primary strategy to empower individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions as a means to improved life quality and life satisfaction.

Professional development activities and personal growth experiences for students are provided to focus on developing skills for living and working as constructive participants in our multicultural, multiethnic society. The Vocational Rehabilitation program works toward these ends by fostering lifelong learning skills, creating a climate of inquiry, encouraging creative and scholarly productivity, and enhancing people’s ability to solve problems.

The program currently offers two concentration options: a CORE-accredited concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling and a dual concentration in Vocational Evaluation and Rehabilitation Counseling. Upon successful completion of the program all students will:

1. Develop and demonstrate an identity as a rehabilitation professional
2. Integrate rehabilitation philosophy and principles of independence, integration, choice, self-determination, empowerment, access and respect for individual differences into rehabilitation planning and service provision
3. Promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment and/or the community
4. Demonstrate ethical behavior and ethical problem-solving consistent with the code of ethics for rehabilitation professionals
5. Understand disability-related legislation, public policy, and attitudinal and access barriers affecting persons with disabilities and their families
6. Understand the influences and implications of chronic illness and/or disability across human development and lifespan
7. Identify the functional impacts of chronic illness and/or disability
8. Evaluate environmental, social and economic influences that create barriers for persons with disabilities
9. Examine psychosocial, cultural and diversity issues that may affect the rehabilitation process
10. Establish positive productive relationships
11. Communicate effectively with persons with disabilities, families, and other rehabilitation professionals
12. Select and apply counseling techniques to promote informed vocational decision-making and adjustment to chronic illness or disability
13. Conduct and integrate vocational assessment into rehabilitation planning
14. Analyze jobs, employment trends and career opportunities to assist in rehabilitation planning and service provision
15. Identify community resources and other services which promote independence
16. Plan and coordinate effective rehabilitation services designed to help persons with disabilities reach their vocational potential
17. Apply research findings to improve services to persons with disabilities

In addition to these objectives, students enrolled in the dual Vocational Evaluation and Rehabilitation Counseling concentration will:

18. Understand the vocational evaluation process and the role of vocational evaluators in assisting persons with disabilities reach their vocational potential
19. Use work-related activities (real or simulated work) and principles of behavior observation to facilitate client vocational decision making
20. Acquire practical experience in vocational evaluation through practicum and internships in approved sites

The CORE-accredited Rehabilitation Counseling concentration is a 48-credit program offered to students enrolled in the campus or online cohort. The dual concentration in Vocational Evaluation and Rehabilitation Counseling is a 50-credit program.

All degree-related courses are predefined to meet accreditation standards and certification requirements. There are no required elective classes in the Rehabilitation Counseling or dual concentration. Students have the option of pursuing a 60-credit program by adding 12 elective credits in a specified emphasis area (contact program director for details).

Each concentration area prepares students to meet and/or exceed the educational and experiential requirements necessary to seek future professional designations as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Professional Vocational Evaluator (PVE). Students in the dual concentration meet the requirements for both the CRC and PVE credentials. Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling and dual concentration meet the minimum educational requirements necessary to obtain the Wisconsin state in-training license leading to the Wisconsin Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation.

Admission

The Vocational Rehabilitation program is based on a cohort-model where students are admitted to the program once yearly in the fall. The program offers two distinct program cohorts: a) traditional campus-based cohort designed as a two-year full-time program and; b) a part-time (three-year) online cohort designed for employed rehabilitation professionals who possess a minimum of two years of related work experience. Students within a cohort typically proceed through sequenced coursework together and graduate at the same time. The cohorts are mutually exclusive and students may enroll only in those courses within their designated cohort (i.e., campus-based students may not enroll in online cohort course offerings).

Application due dates are March 15 for the campus-based cohort and April 15 for the online cohort. To be considered for admission to the program, students must complete a two-step application process. First, submit the application for admission to the UW-Stout Graduate School (www.uwstout.edu/grad/apply.cfm). Second, submit the Vocational Rehabilitation program-specific application (www.uwstout.edu/programs/msvr/).

The Master of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation has unique professional degree requirements governed by professional accreditation standards. The program admission, retention, probation and dismissal policy reflects sensitivity to these standards and faculty determination of the graduate student or degree candidate’s capability to meet the rigors of professional practice and the essential job functions of rehabilitation professionals. In recognition of responsibilities to people with disabilities who will be served by the graduates of this program, selective admission and retention of candidates for the Master of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation are maintained.

Entrance into the program requires the unanimous vote of approval by the graduate Vocational Rehabilitation Program Admission Committee which is comprised of a minimum of three rehabilitation faculty/staff members. Approval will be dependent upon the applicant demonstrating:

1. Potential for successful academic achievement at the graduate level;
2. Interest in working with people with disabilities;
3. Personal and social characteristics necessary to work with people with disabilities, such as personal, emotional and social maturity and a combination of patience, empathy and understanding;
4. Ability to work independently;
5. Ability to use expressive and receptive communication skills to effectively facilitate the counseling process;
6. Ability to perform the essential functions of the job of a rehabilitation counselor and/or vocational evaluator; and;
7. Ability to carry out professional responsibilities.

The decision for admission or denial of admission by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program Admission Committee will be based on the criteria above with information obtained from records of undergraduate and/or other graduate academic attainment, letters of reference from a minimum of three objective individuals who are familiar with the applicant in work or educational settings, information provided on the program application form, and other data and information received by the committee. The committee may require an interview when information submitted is insufficient for rendering a decision or when the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75.

To be admitted with full status to the Vocational Rehabilitation graduate program, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 based on a four-point scale. Applicants may be admitted on probationary status if their overall grade point average is at least 2.5 but less than 2.75. Other conditions of acceptance into the program may include completion of remedial course work. Remedial course work may be required and costs of such courses may differ from regular graduate tuition.

Students from a variety of educational backgrounds are eligible for admission. Applicants with degrees such as vocational rehabilitation, disability studies, psychology, sociology, business, industrial technology, vocational education, special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, communication disorders, recreational therapy and social work can find appropriate applications within the program. Although a specific educational background is not required, the applicant’s transcripts will be evaluated to determine if remedial or deficiency course work at the undergraduate level or additional graduate work will need to be completed to earn the degree. Additional course work requirements may differ among the various concentrations.

Primary Evaluation Processes

Student retention in the Vocational Rehabilitation graduate program involves continuous formal and informal assessment of students throughout their training. Scheduled formal student assessment occurs at three specific points in the program: (a) mid-point faculty review, (b) application for degree candidacy, and (c) upon successful completion of comprehensive exam or completion of research project (two-credit Problems in VR or six-credit Thesis). Descriptions of the committee procedures for formal student assessment processes are detailed in the M.S. Vocational Rehabilitation Student Handbook available from the program director.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for this degree include (a) completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours of predefined graduate credit; (b) an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better; (c) at least half (50%) of credits must be open only to graduate students numbered at or above the 700 level; (d) course distribution as outlined for specified concentration area; (e) a minimum grade of “B” or better in required concentration courses including all practicum and internship courses; (f) satisfactory (3.00) ratings on mid-point faculty review; (g) approval for degree candidacy and; (h) successful completion of the M.S. Vocational Rehabilitation comprehensive exam or thesis option (thesis credits as outlined on individualized program plan).