Rehabilitation Studies Major, BS

Program Description

The mission of the Rehabilitation Studies program is to produce qualified and competent rehabilitation practitioners who will provide services that serve to enhance the quality of life, and empower individuals with disabilities, their families and the community.  Rehabilitation practitioners help clients in achieving the greatest physical, mental, social, educational and vocational potential possible.  Duties might include coordinating the diagnosis and evaluation of disabling conditions, interviewing, individual planning, case management, arranging various rehabilitation services, assisting persons in selecting a vocational goal, providing personal and social adjustment services and job placement activities and providing follow-up to individuals once services have been completed.

About

Students who obtain a bachelor’s of science degree in Rehabilitation Studies are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue graduate education or entry-level careers in various allied health-related settings.  Duties might include coordinating the diagnosis, treatment plans and evaluation of disabling conditions, interviewing clients, individual planning, case management, coordinating various rehabilitation services, vocational/career specialist services, provision of personal and social adjustment services, job placement activities and providing follow-up to individuals once services have been completed.  Most rehabilitation professions require post-baccalaureate education.  Graduates of the Rehabilitation Studies Program who seek graduate education often times pursue careers in rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental and behavioral  health counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation technology, physician assistant studies, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, and various other community health settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the issues faced by persons experiencing disabilities, the rehabilitation delivery systems, and vocational rehabilitation outcomes that will enable them to obtain entry level employment and/or attend graduate school.
2. Demonstrate competencies in interpersonal communication skills, consumer involvement, and client self-management.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics and professional behavior needed to function in the field of rehabilitation services.

Major Requirements

Majors in rehabilitation studies are required to complete 54 semester hours of course work. Six (6) of these hours can be taken as part of the general education requirements. In addition, students are required to: adhere to the professional disposition policy of the program; maintain a minimum grade of C or better in each major course. Students must earn a “C” or better in RHS 2301   - Introduction to Rehabilitation Studies before attempting other RHS courses. 

Required Courses (54 semester hours)

General Education Pre-requisites requirements

Course Number	Course Title
BIO 2311	Anatomy and Physiology I (GE) (requires pre-requisite biology class)
MAT 2326	Elementary Statistics or its equivalent (GE)

       

Foundation Courses (15 credit hours)

REQUIRED by all students in the major regardless of the selected depth/concentration/track.
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
PSY 1301	Introduction to Psychology	3 hrs
RHS 1304	Crisis Intervention	3 hrs
RHS 2301	Introduction to Rehabilitation Studies	3 hrs
RHS 2310	Practical Communication and Interviewing Techniques	3 hrs
RHS 3316	Substance Abuse Counseling	3 hrs

     

Breadth Courses (12 credit hours)

REQUIRED by all students in the major regardless of the selected depth/concentration/track.
Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
RHS 2306	Mental Health Issues in Rehabilitation	3 hrs
RHS 3302	Vocational Rehabilitation Process	3 hrs
RHS 3304	Medical Aspects	3 hrs
RHS 4301	Community Resources/Service Delivery	3 hrs

 

 Depth Courses (21 credit hours)

Rehabilitation Studies majors have the option of selecting a depth/concentration/track in which more in-depth knowledge and skills may be obtained in specific areas of interest.  Student are required to take 21 credit hours in the track of their choosing.  The following are the specific areas of concentration that are available for majors to select and the required courses needed to complete the area of concentration/track:

Rehabilitation Services

Addiction Studies

Deaf Studies

Special Education

Honors

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

RHS 3301

Rehabilitation Research Method

3 hrs

RHS 3301

Rehabilitation Research Method

3 hrs

RHS 3301

Rehabilitation Research Method

3 hrs

RHS 3301

Rehabilitation Research Method

3 hrs

RHS 3301

Rehabilitation Research Method

3 hrs

RHS 4302

Case Management

3 hrs

RHS 3308

Foundations of Psychopharmacology

3 hrs

RHS 3307

Deaf History and Culture in America

3 hrs

SPE 2310

Introduction to Exceptional Individuals

3 hrs

RHS 4601

Internship in Rehabilitation Studies

6 hrs

RHS 4303

Assistive Technology and Independent Living

3 hrs

RHS 3312

Dynamics of Addiction in Rehabilitation

3 hrs

RHS 2302

American Sign Language I

3 hrs

SPE 2320

Transition Service Delivery for Students w/Disabilities

3 hrs

RHS 4602

Independent Studies in Rehab Capstone Project

6 hrs

RHS 4306

Counseling and Theoretical Approaches in Rehabilitation

3 hrs

RHS 3314

ATOD in Diverse Populations

3 hrs

RHS 2303

American Sign Language II

3 hrs

SPE 3320

Characteristics of Students with High Incidence Disabilities

3 hrs

RHS xxx

Honors track students may select two courses of their choosing from other RHS tracks

6 hrs

RHS 4601

Internship in Rehabilitation Studies

6 hrs

RHS 4308

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs & Treatment

3 hrs

RHS 3309

Advanced American Sign Language

3 hrs

SPE 3315

Behavior & Classroom Management

3 hrs

RHS xxxx

One RHS course (3 credit hours) of your choosing

3 hrs

RHS 4601

Internship in Rehabilitation Studies

6 hrs

RHS 4601

Internship in Rehabilitation Studies

6 hrs

RHS 4120

Internship in Rehabilitation Studies

6 hrs

Total

21 hrs

Total

21 hrs

Total

21 hrs

Total

21 hrs

Total

21 hrs

  

NOTE:  120 credit hours are needed to graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree, therefore students may require electives.

 

Related/Suggested Electives    

RHS 4304         Aural Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices

RHS 4602         Independent Studies

 

HONORS CRITERIA

Students selected for the Honors Track are required to enroll in an additional course (RHS 46xx-Independent Study in Rehab, 6 credit hours).  In order to graduate with honors the student must meet and maintain GPA standards set at admission and successfully complete the Independent Study and Internship in Rehabilitation.

 

1. Successful completion of RHS 3301 , Rehabilitation Research Methods, or a faculty approved comparable Research Methods course. 
2. A GPA of 3.25 within the major and cumulatively
3. No grade lower than a B in any RHS course (exceptions made for one course with the strong written recommendation by a faculty member).
4. Identification of a faculty mentor and a potential research project
5. Recommendation by the Rehabilitation Studies Selection Committee, who will evaluate each applicant on academic merit and professional goals.  Each student will be required to meet with the RHS Selection Committee for an interview.

Students selected for the Honors Track are required to enroll in an additional course (RHS 46xx-Independent Study in Rehab, 6 credit hours).  In order to graduate with honors the student must meet and maintain GPA stands set at admission and successfully complete the Independent Study and Internship in Rehabilitation.

 

Major Course Sequence

Course Number	Course Title	Semesters
RHS 2301	Introduction to Rehabilitation Studies	fall and spring***
BIO 2311	Anatomy and Physiology I	fall and spring***
MAT 2326	Elementary Statistics	fall and spring***

     

***These courses are identified as pre-requisites for the major program.  Majors are required to pass RHS 2301  Introduction to Rehabilitation with a “C” or better before continuing in other RHS Major Core Courses.  Students are also strongly encouraged to complete the pre-requisites within the 1st year of the program.

 

Course Number	Course Title	Semesters
RHS 1304	Crisis Intervention	fall and spring
RHS 2302	American Sign Language I	fall and spring
RHS 2303	American Sign Language II	fall and spring
RHS 2306	Mental Health Issues in Rehabilitation	fall semester only
RHS 2310	Practical Communication and Interviewing Techniques	fall only
RHS 3301	Rehabilitation Research Method	spring only
RHS 3302	Vocational Rehabilitation Process	spring only
RHS 3304	Medical Aspects	spring only
RHS 3305	American Sign Language III	fall and spring
RHS 3307	Deaf History and Cultures in America	spring only
RHS 3309	Advanced American Sign Language	fall and spring
RHS 3312	Dynamics of Addiction in Rehabilitation	spring only
RHS 3314	ATOD in Diverse Populations	fall only
RHS 3316	Substance Abuse Counseling	fall and spring
RHS 4301	Community Resources/Service Delivery	fall only
RHS 4302	Case Management	spring only
RHS 4303	Assistive Technology and Independent Living	spring only
RHS 4304	Aural Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices	fall only
RHS 4306	Counseling and Theoretical Approaches in Rehabilitation	fall and spring
RHS 4308	Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs & Treatment	fall only
RHS 4601	Internship in Rehabilitation Studies	fall and spring
RHS 4602	Independent Studies	fall and spring
RHS 4120	Internship in Rehabilitation Studies	fall and spring

 

Policies

Students are expected to adhere to the Professional Dispositions Policy.  Each student upon entry into the program will receive the Professional Disposition Policy which will be discussed with your Academic Advisor and at the Majors Meeting which is scheduled every academic year.