Department of Health and Community Studies, Woodring College of Education
Graduate Faculty
Boland, Elizabeth, PhD
Program Director: Dr. Elizabeth Boland, 425-405-1645, Elizabeth.Boland@wwu.edu.
Associate Graduate Faculty
Bengtson, Kevin, PhD
Scriven, Elizabeth, PsyD
Program Information
Rehabilitation Counseling is a systematic process that partners with persons with physical, sensory, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities while emphasizing the holistic nature of human function. Rehabilitation counselors are competent to provide an assessment of abilities and functional limitations, develop plans consistent with individual needs, and partner with clients in achieving their goals through a variety of modalities including individual and group counseling, vocational training and education, and job development and placement. Rehabilitation counseling is a dynamic, exciting field with excellent employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, including state and federal rehabilitation agencies, nonprofit agencies, veteran’s programs, workers’ compensation agencies, hospitals, and universities.
The 90-credit degree program is completed through a combination of face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses. Courses are offered at the program’s off-campus site located at the Everett University Center on the Everett Community College campus. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
For further information, see the Rehabilitation Counseling program website at wce.wwu.edu/rc/rehabilitation-counseling.
Goals
The mission of the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program is to prepare dedicated and qualified rehabilitation counselors who will partner with individuals with disabilities to enhance their lives, including self-determination, independence, meaningful employment, and full community participation.
The objectives of the program are:
- To offer a quality curriculum that prepares master’s level rehabilitation counselors with the knowledge and skills necessary to ethically and competently serve and advocate with individuals with disabilities.
- To recruit and retain qualified students for a viable program that includes persons from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds and individuals with disabilities.
- To promote an inclusive learning community that enriches student experience and education and promotes full participation of all students.
- To create opportunities for student interaction with individuals with disabilities as well as individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- To efficiently and effectively enhance the program by obtaining regular and timely feedback from students, the advisory committee, field experience site supervisors, consumers, graduates, and employers
Application Information
Admit Quarters: Fall
Application Deadlines: Priority deadline: April 1; Final deadline: June 1
Supporting Materials:
Candidates must meet the requirements of the Graduate School in addition to the following departmental requirements:
- Three current references
- A current résumé
- The Statement of Purpose should be a succinct statement (two to three pages) that provides an accurate indication of writing and grammatical skills.
- As you begin to write your Statement of Purpose, please take time to review the WWU MA in Rehabilitation Counseling Mission and Objectives, the Rehabilitation Counseling Scope of Practice, and the Preamble of the Code of Professional Ethics for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (pages 1-3) and reflect upon your interest in and match with our program and the rehabilitation counseling profession. Use this reflection and write your statement to address the following:
- Your reason(s) for choosing/applying the MA in Rehabilitation Counseling program
- Professional and personal strengths related to counseling, defined as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals
- Relevant experiences in life, work, and/or schooling related to rehabilitation counseling
- Your goals and interests that demonstrate and illustrate your personal value system as it relates to equity, social justice, and/or access
- Your career objectives
- You can also include any additional information or insights that you consider relevant to your application.
- A personal interview with the Academic Program Director.
- A signed statement indicating an understanding and intention to comply with the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance.
- Successful completion of the program background check.
- Access to computer, necessary software, and computer competencies are required
Please upload supporting materials with the application.
Admission
Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to working with individuals with disabilities to assist them in adjusting to the psychological, social, medical, and vocational impact of a disability on their lives. The commitment may be demonstrated by either work or volunteer experiences with persons with disabilities. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong writing skills.
Retention
In addition to Graduate School and University policies, retention in the Rehabilitation Counseling program is dependent upon the development of professional competencies in interaction with clients and other professionals, especially as related to the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance. Development of professional competencies is monitored and evaluated on an annual basis by the faculty of the program and will serve as a basis for retention of the student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program.
