As with most graduate programs, the general prerequisites for a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling include a bachelor's degree. Many schools require a basic regimen of undergraduate psychology courses, as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA (although this can be flexible with an otherwise strong application). Prospective students will need between two and four letters of recommendation along with a professional statement of purpose. Some programs also require an interview, although this typically can be conducted over the phone as well as in person.
Graduate programs in rehabilitation counseling emphasize all aspects of the field. Students will learn professional skills in general counseling and educational, vocational and psychosocial assessment. Additionally, the program introduces future counselors to case management and advocacy for persons with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. The master's program requires between 40 and 60 credit hours --- an average of two years of study --- to graduate, depending on which school the student is attending. These courses will prepare future counselors for work in local, state and federal rehabilitation institutions.
Master's degree programs in this field require a level of work experience prior to graduation. A rehabilitation counseling practicum provides students with first-hand experience and exposure to a counseling environment under faculty supervision. Following the field-work course, students will need to complete an intensive internship. This part of the program generally coincides with the student's final semester before graduation, and the internship is a necessary factor in a program's accreditation with the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
Upon completion of the master's program, students will be prepared with the counseling and assessment skills necessary to begin a career in the field. Jobs are available at accredited private practices, clinics and rehabilitation institutions around the country. Rehab counselors in all fields will help people with congenital disabilities, learning disorders, addictions and other issues to find employment and work toward an independent and self-sustaining lifestyle.