Welcome to Counseling and Rehabilitation
We offer the following programs:
- Masters of Arts (M.A.) degree in Counseling and Rehabilitation, with a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling (60 credit hours)
- Certificate of Graduate Study (C.G.S.) in Psychiatric Rehabilitation (18 credits hours)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling and Rehabilitation
We train our graduates to be professional counselors with a specialized understanding of disability and disadvantagement-related issues. With a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling, our curriculum and service activities are focused on providing counseling and employment-related support to persons who have physical or mental disabilities, including addictions. Additional service perspectives focus on individuals who are disadvantaged by cultural differences and educational and economic impoverishment throughout the state and beyond.
Beyond the Classroom
We believe that the best way for you to learn is by doing. That's why we include many hands-on experiences in our master's degree curriculum. Not only will you get to work with persons with disabilities, you'll also be able to complete a 600-hour internship your final semester.
Dedicated Faculty
Our dedicated faculty performs a broad spectrum of educational, scholarly and service activities to enhance your educational experience.
You'll get training in multiple areas, including:
- Individual and group counseling
- Educational, vocational and psychosocial assessment
- Clinical case management
- Advocacy
- Community program development
Distance Learning
We have a distance learning option that will make it easier to pursue your career without moving to Columbia, if you need more flexibility to allow you to continue to work. All coursework will be offered online and you'll be required to come to a few in-person meetings.
Accredited Program
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling and Rehabilitation degree, with a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling, was recently accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for a full 8-year period through March 2029.
Program Outcomes
- 2021-2022: 10 MA graduates (60 credit hour degree)
- 2020-2021: 6 MA graduates (60 credit hour degree)
- 2021-2021: 1 MRC graduate (48 credit hour degree)
- 2019-2020: 7 MRC graduates (48 credit hour degree)
- 2019-2020: 5 MA graduates (60 credit hour degree)
- 2018-2019: 5 MRC graduates (48 credit hour degree)
- 2018-2019: 3 MA graduates (60 credit hour degree)
- For students who started the 60 credit-hour program in 2019-2020 (N=16):
- 3 graduated in 2 years
- 4 graduated in 2.5 years
- 5 are on track to graduate in 3 - 4 years
- 2 transferred to other professional programs
- 2 left the program for non-academic reasons.
- For students who started the 60 credit-hour program in 2018-2019 (N=12):
- 2 graduated in 2 years
- 2 graduated in 2.5 years
- 2 graduated in 3 years
- 1 on track to graduate in 4 - 4.5 years
- 2 transferred to other professional programs
- 3 left the program for non-academic reasons.
- In 2021-2022, 1 of 1 (100%) program graduates took and passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.
- In 2020-2021, 5 of 5 (100%) program graduates took and passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam. The national pass rate for the same period was 47%.
- In 2019-2020, 3 of 3 (100%) program graduates took and passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.
- In 2018-2019, 2 of 2 (100%) students took and passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.
- Academic year 2021-2022: 100% of program graduates (N=8) who were actively seeking
employment are employed.
- Two (2) graduates opted to delay their job search.
- 6 of 8 employed graduates (75%) are employed as rehabilitation counseling professionals in rehabilitation agencies or community mental health centers.
- One (1) graduate is employed in a school setting and one (1) is employed at a victims’ advocacy agency.
- Academic year 2020-2021: 100% of program graduates (N=7) are employed.
- Six of 7 graduates (86%) are employed as rehabilitation counseling professionals in rehabilitation agencies or community mental health centers.
- Academic year 2019-2020: 100% of program graduates (N=13) are employed.
- Twelve of 13 graduates (93%) are employed as rehabilitation counseling professionals in rehabilitation agencies or community mental health centers.
- One is employed in a related field in a university setting.
Important Information About Programs Leading to Licensure
Certification: Because our program is CORE/CACREP accredited, all students who have successfully completed 75 percent of their coursework and all graduates of the counseling and rehabilitation program are eligible to take the exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) that leads to the nationally recognized Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential. This credential is available to all students and program graduates, including those students who do not live in the state of South Carolina.
Licensure: Each state has its own licensing board with its own counselor licensure requirements. The 60 credit hour MA in Counseling and Rehabilitation includes coursework and field experiences required by the state of South Carolina for graduates to be eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) that leads to counselor licensure in SC. We cannot confirm that the program meets the requirements for professional licensure in another state. For students not living in South Carolina, click here for contact information for licensure in specific states. If a current student is considering relocating to another state after being admitted into the program, the student must contact the program director to discuss how the move may impact their ability to participate in academic courses (distributed learning) and clinical practicum (experiential learning) opportunities in a different state.