Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation
Graduate Faculty
Boland, Elizabeth, PhD.
Program Director: Dr. Elizabeth Boland, 425-259-8920, Elizabeth.Boland@wwu.edu.
Program Information
Rehabilitation counselors work with people with a variety of disabilities, including physical, cognitive, sensory, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. Rehabilitation counselors are competent to provide an assessment of abilities and functional limitations, develop plans consistent with individual needs, and assist 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.
The Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares students to work in settings such as state and federal rehabilitation agencies, private nonprofit agencies, veterans programs, private counseling and consultation firms, hospitals, substance abuse and mental health centers, and universities. Students learn how to assist individuals in adjusting to the psychological, social, medical, and vocational effects of a disability on their lives. Students in graduate rehabilitation counseling programs typically have completed undergraduate degrees in human services, psychology, sociology, or other areas of social services.
The degree program is completed through a combination of classroom-based and distance learning coursework. Classroom-based courses are offered at the program’s off-campus site located at Everett Community College.
For further information, see the Rehabilitation Counseling program website at www.wwu.edu/rc.
Goals
The Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares rehabilitation professionals to assist individuals with disabilities to enhance their lives in significant ways, including self-determination, independence, employment, and full community participation. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
The program prepares rehabilitation professionals to work in a variety of public and private settings.
Application Information
Admit Quarters: Fall
Application Deadlines: June 1
Supporting Materials:
Candidates must meet the requirements of the Graduate School in addition to the following departmental requirements:
- The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is preferred or the Graduate Record Exam, General Test; test scores are not required if an applicant holds an advanced degree from an accredited college or university
- Three current references
- A current résumé
- A typed personal statement outlining the rationale for applying to the program. The statement should address career objectives, rationale for choosing this program, professional and personal strengths as they apply to the field of rehabilitation counseling, related work experiences, the way in which personal and professional life experiences have converged to motivate application to the program, a statement of goals and interests which demonstrates and illustrates the applicant’s personal value system, computer competence, and other insights as deemed appropriate by the applicant
- A personal interview
- A signed contract 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 collect all application materials, then forward the packet directly to the Graduate School, Old Main 530.
Admission
Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to working with individuals with disabilities to assist them to adjust 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 a yearly basis by the faculty of the program and will serve as a basis for retention of the student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program.
