Master of Science in Counselor Education with Specialization in Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling

Program Rationale:
The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling specialization prepares students to pursue employment in a variety of rehabilitation and mental health agencies. Students may choose a track in either Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling with a drug and alcohol recovery focus, or Mental Health Counseling. The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling specialization provides the foundational coursework necessary for individuals interested in national certification as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) and/or meeting State of Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The curriculum is also approved by the Connecticut Certification Board for students pursuing credentials as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC). There are additional post-master’s training requirements for both LPC and LADC candidates. The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling specialization is accredited by the Commission on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).



Program Learning Outcomes:
Students in the program will be expected to:

  • exhibit behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the professional and rehabilitation counseling profession;
  • demonstrate pertinent and professionally relevant knowledge in the 10 CORE and 9 NBCC curriculum content areas;
  • demonstrate professional behaviors and practice in professional and rehabilitation counseling settings;
  • demonstrate knowledge of current ethical and legal guidelines that influence one's behavior as a counselor; and
  • demonstrate core skills that provide the foundations to understand the professional and rehabilitation counseling process and become more aware of one's interpersonal interactions.
Course and Capstone Requirements (60 credits):
Core (33 credits):
CNSL 500 The Dynamics of Group Behavior 3
CNSL 501 Theories and Techniques in Counseling 6
CNSL 503 Supervised Counseling Practicum 3
CNSL 504 Professional Studies in Counseling 3
CNSL 505 Counseling and Human Development Across the Lifespan 3
CNSL 507 Methods of Group Facilitation 3
CNSL 521 Career Counseling and Development 3
CNSL 522 Appraisal Procedures in Counseling 3
CNSL 568 Alcohol and Drug Counseling 3
CNSL 598 Research Methods in Counseling 3
Students in the Mental Health track are required to take an additional 24 credits:
CNSL 525 Multicultural Counseling 3
CNSL 560 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 561 Advanced Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 563 Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 564 Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management 3
or
MFT 541 Introduction to Theories of Family Systems 3
CNSL 571 Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 575 Co-Occuring Disorders and Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 580 Special Topics Seminars 1-3
or
CNSL 599 Thesis 3 (see Plan A capstone)
Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling track are required to take an additional 24 credits:
CNSL 525 Multicultural Counseling 3
CNSL 560 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 561 Advanced Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 563 Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 564 Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management 3
CNSL 571 Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 575 Co-Occuring Disorders and Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 580 Special Topics Seminars 1-3
or
CNSL 599 Thesis 3 (see Plan A capstone)
Students in the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling track are required to take an additional 24 credits:
CNSL 525 Multicultural Counseling 3
CNSL 560 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 561 Advanced Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 563 Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 564 Rehabilitation and Disability Case Management 3
CNSL 571 Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 575 Co-Occuring Disorders and Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 580 Special Topics Seminars 1-3
or
CNSL 599 Thesis 3 (see Plan A capstone)
In addition, all students are required to take:
Internship (6 credits):
CNSL 594 Supervised Clinical Practice Professional Counseling (two semesters fall & spring for a total of 6 credits) 3
Capstone (0-3 credits):
Plan A:
CNSL 599 Thesis 3
or
Plan B:
Comprehensive Exam 0
(consists of a major case presentation done in conjunction with the student’s internship experience)

Note: It is expected that prior to beginning the supervised counseling practicum (CNSL 503) all Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling students will complete CNSL 505. Students in the drug and alcohol recovery program must also complete PSY 454 (Drugs & Behavior) prior to beginning practicum.
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