Certificate of Graduate Study
Earning a graduate certificate can enhance your professional career and we want to make it easy for you, especially if you already have a busy schedule to manage. We offer both in-person and online options for this 18 credit-hour certificate that's designed for post-bachelor’s degree students and helping professionals who want to gain more knowledge and skills in working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Whether you are new to the field of psychiatric rehabilitation or a skilled practitioner, this program can be highly individualized to meet your personal and professional interests.
What is Psychiatric Rehabilitation?
Psychiatric rehabilitation promotes recovery, full community integration, and improved quality of life for persons who have been diagnosed with any mental health condition that seriously impairs their ability to lead meaningful lives. Psychiatric rehabilitation services are collaborative, person-directed and individualized. These services are an essential element of the health care and human services spectrum, and should be evidence-based. They focus on helping individuals develop skills and access resources needed to increase their capacity to be successful and satisfied in the living, working, learning, and social environments of their choice. (Source: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, 2020)
Personal Attention
At the USC School of Medicine Columbia, we give all our students personal attention and hands-on training and our graduate certificate program is no exception. Whether you choose to study online or in-person, you'll have access to dedicated faculty who will act as mentors throughout your time with us.
Who Should Apply?
Whatever your background, you’ll find that our curriculum builds on current knowledge and skills in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation and can be individualized to ensure that you get the most out of your learning experience. Whether you are new to the field of psychiatric rehabilitation, already have experience, or work in an allied field such as social work, nursing, public health, or the criminal justice system, we have something for you. Learn more here.
Curriculum
The Certificate of Graduate Study in Psychiatric Rehabilitation is an 18-credit-hour graduate specialty program designed to equip human service professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for working with individuals with severe mental illnesses. In addition to 9 credit-hours of required coursework and 6 credit-hours of electives, students complete a 3 credit-hour Independent/Field Study. See detailed information about the curriculum and course sequencing here.
How to Apply
Classes for the Certificate start in Fall semester and we accept applications all year. Learn more about the application process, including materials, here.