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:
- 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.
- Demonstrate competencies in interpersonal communication skills, consumer involvement, and client self-management.
- 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
Foundation Courses (15 credit hours)
Breadth Courses (12 credit hours)
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 Psychosocial Rehabilitation |
3 hrs |
RHS 2302 - American Sign Language I |
3 hrs |
SPE 2320 - Transition Service Delivery for Students with Disabilities |
3 hrs |
RHS 4602 - Independent Studies |
6 hrs |
| RHS 4306 - Counseling and Theoretical Approaches in Rehabilitation |
3 hrs |
RHS 3314 - Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use in Diverse |
3 hrs |
RHS 2303 - American Sign Language II |
3 hrs |
SPE 3320 - Characteristics of Students with High Incidence
|
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 Drug Treatment |
3 hrs |
RHS 3309 - Advanced American Sign Language |
3 hrs |
SPE 3315 - Behavior and 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 & 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.
- Successful completion of RHS 3301 - Rehabilitation Research Method , or a faculty approved comparable Research Methods course.
- A GPA of 3.25 within the major and cumulatively
- No grade lower than a B in any RHS course (exceptions made for one course with the strong written recommendation by a faculty member).
- Identification of a faculty mentor and a potential research project
- 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 Studies 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 Interventions |
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 Settings |
fall semester only |
| RHS 2310 - Practical Communication and Interviewing Techniques |
fall only |
| RHS 3301 - Rehabilitation Research Method |
spring only |
| RHS 3302 - Vocational Rehabilitation Processes |
spring only |
| RHS 3304 - Medical Aspects/Impacts of Disabling Conditions |
spring only |
| RHS 3305 - American Sign Language III |
fall and spring |
| RHS 3307 - Deaf History and Culture in America |
spring only |
| RHS 3309 - Advanced American Sign Language |
fall and spring |
| RHS 3312 - Dynamics of Addiction in Psychosocial Rehabilitation |
spring only |
| RHS 3314 - Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use in Diverse |
fall only |
| RHS 3316 - Substance Abuse Counseling |
fall and spring |
| RHS 4301 - Community Resources and Service Delivery |
fall only |
| RHS 4302 - Case Management |
spring only |
| RHS 4303 - Assistive Technology and Independent Living |
spring only |
| RHS 4304 - Aural Rehabilitation & Assistive Devices |
fall only |
| RHS 4306 - Counseling and Theoretical Approaches in Rehabilitation |
fall and spring |
| RHS 4308 - Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug 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.
