Contact us for more information
323 Wirtz Hall, DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-1484
E-mail: rehab@niu.edu
Graduate Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling
The specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling through the Communicative Disorders (M.A.) emphasizes the development of skills and knowledge in three areas: counseling, rehabilitation, and disabilities. The number of master's degree students in the program varies, but generally is fewer than 20 at any given time. This allows for small classes and individual supervision of counseling experiences. An array of elective courses is available through other NIU departments allowing students to pursue special interests. These include family therapy, early intervention services, school-related counseling, and community mental health.
Students will also have the opportunity to interact with practicing professionals in the Department's federally funded Institutes on Deafness and Deaf-Blindness with Certificate in Deaf-Blind Rehabilitation.
A thesis option is available for students interested in completing original investigations.
Graduates are employed in the state-federal rehabilitation program, rehabilitation facilities and hospitals, community service programs, school and collegiate settings, and mental health programs.
Program Outcomes
The Rehabilitation Counseling program at Northern Illinois University is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) through 2013. The program is designed as a full-time program, accepting students in the fall semester. There are options, however, to assist a student in designing a part-time program.
The Rehabilitation Counseling program currently has a total of 25 full-time students. There are four full-time, tenure track faculty and one part-time clinical faculty position, all of whom teach the CORE accredited curriculum and provide supervision in clinical settings. The faculty to student ratio is 1:5.
In the 2010-2011 academic year, the program graduated seven students, whose average GPA was 3.90. Of those graduating, 86% were successful in passing the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam, and 100% of the graduates are employed in a variety of settings including: state VR offices, college/university setting, community rehabilitation centers, a mental health center, and independent living centers.
Within the current group of students, 36% are from underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities. Our program currently has an RSA long-term training grant that provides $100,000 per year in support to students (tuition waivers and stipends).
Of the NIU graduates in the past three years who passed the CRC exam, 24% obtained their license in Illinois as professional counselors (LPC). This group of licensed professionals currently works in community rehabilitation centers, a state VR office, and a mental health center.
The master's degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) enabling graduates to apply for credentials as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).