Nov 26, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Rehabilitation Studies Major, BS


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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 the Psychological Sciences   3 hrs
RHS 1304 - Crisis Interventions   3 hrs
RHS 2301 - Introduction to Rehabilitation Studies   3 hrs
RHS 2310 - Practical Communication   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 Settings     3 hrs
RHS 3302 - Vocational Rehabilitation Processes     3 hrs
RHS 3304 - Medical Aspects/Impacts of Disabling Conditions   3 hrs
RHS 4301 - Community Resources and 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 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.

 

  1. Successful completion of RHS 3301 - Rehabilitation Research Method , 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 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.

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