RHAB 700 - Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling
Explores the origin, evolution, and future of the rehabilitation counseling profession. Covers the scope of practice and underlying competencies, professional ethics, and professional development. The purpose is to develop an understanding of the role and function of rehabilitation counselors, as well as professional responsibilities.
RHAB 701 - Rehabilitation Counseling Practice 1
Covers the fundamentals of communication skills and interviewing techniques. Emphasis is placed on development of listening skills and accommodating communication limitations that emanate from disabilities. The purpose is to develop the foundations of counseling practice.
RHAB 702 - Introduction to Rehabilitation Research and Assessment
Provides an understanding of research methodology, practice, and tools, and their relationship to assessment principles and practice. Emphasis is given to rehabilitation and disability-related issues. The purpose is to enable students to begin to utilize research and assessment techniques in the practice to rehabilitation counseling and to draw upon applied research to shape their practice.
RHAB 703 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
Covers society's response to disability, the evolution, philosophy, and process of rehabilitation, the impact of disability on individuals, their families, and significant others, coping strategies, and factors that support or inhibit the rehabilitation process. Disability and rehabilitation are viewed from a social systems theory framework. The purpose is to enable students to recognize and address the needs of persons with disabilities that are essential to attaining their highest level of community functioning.
RHAB 710 - Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation
An overview of the diagnosis treatment, prognosis, and restorative measures relating to severe disabilities. Major disabilities such as spinal cord injury, stroke, blindness, deafness, mental illness, addictions, and mental retardation are covered. The purpose is to provide a basis for assisting persons with disabilities progress through the rehabilitation process.
RHAB 711 - Rehabilitation Counseling Practice II (Prerequisite RHAB 701)
Covers major counseling theories, strategies, and techniques. The purpose is to equip the students with the tools necessary to assist clients in developing effective coping skills and making life style changes necessary for adjusting to disabilities.
RHAB 712 - Occupational Analysis and Placement in Rehabilitation
Explores the world of work including the vast array of jobs, job requirements, job finding resources, and worker characteristics. Emphasis is placed on utilizing effective strategies to match workers to jobs, accommodate workers with disabilities in the workplace, and help them secure employment. The purpose is to enable students to effectively assist persons in dealing with the myriad of employment problems that emanate from disability and disadvantagement.
RHAB 713 - Career Development and Counseling in Rehabilitation.
Covers theories of career development and their relevance to persons with disabilities. Emphasis is given to cultural, economic and other factors which affect career choice. The purpose is to enable students to guide their clients on career paths that will maximize their options and enable them to manage successful careers throughout their work lives.
RHAB 714 - Rehabilitation Assessment (Prerequisite RHAB 702)
Explores the personal, social and environmental characteristics that are integral to disabilities, with emphasis on identification and measurement. Attention is given to new technology that can facilitate identification of abilities and functional limitations, and enhance functioning. The purpose is to enable students to assess the strength, limitations, and other factors that muse be dealt with to successfully cope with disabilities.
RHAB 720 - Group Counseling in Rehabilitation Settings
Covers group theory and techniques, with concern for the various ways disabilities affect the group process. Emphasis is given to the unique needs of persons with disabilities that can be most effectively dealt with through group counseling. The purpose is to enable students to utilize this modality in the various rehabilitation settings.
RHAB 730 - Case Management and Community Resources
Provides the student with an understanding of the case management process necessary for assisting persons with disabilities to negotiate their way through the complex web of services confronting them. Students are made aware of the specific community resources integral to the rehabilitation process. The purpose is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to developing effective rehabilitation plans and ensuring rehabilitation process continuity.
RHAB 880 - Counseling Practicum
This is the students' initial counseling experience. Students begin to apply their counseling skills and knowledge in rehabilitation settings. The purpose is to begin engaging students in actual counseling activities under close supervision to develop their basic competencies.
RHAB 883 - Counseling Internship
A full-time counseling experience in rehabilitation settings. The purpose is to
provide the student with sufficient supervised experience to develop their competencies to
a level at which they are able to function independently.
Elective Courses Offered by the Program
RHAB 506 - Counseling and Death Education
Covers issues related to counseling the terminally ill and their significant others. Loss, grief, supportive care, suicide, funeral and estate planning, and legal issues are among the topics dealt with. The purpose is to provide a foundation for counseling persons with progressive diseases or terminal illness, such as AIDS.
RHAB 750 - Technology and Exceptional Populations
Provides an overview of assistive technology developed for persons with various kinds of disabilities. Technology available to assist rehabilitators is also covered. The purpose is to provide students with a basis for incorporating technology into the rehabilitation process.
RHAB 752 - Disability and Sexuality
Deals with the impact of major disabilities on sexuality. Assists students in assessing their attitudes toward sexuality and their effect on the counseling process. The purpose is to enable students to be comfortable and knowledgeable about a sensitive prevalent problem of persons with disabilities.
RHAB 753 - Rehabilitation of the Severely Disabled
A seminar-type course designed to enable students to do in-depth exploration of a major disability type. Research, observation, and consultation with experts are some of the modalities incorporated into the learning experience. The purpose is to enable students to enhance their knowledge of a particular disability type.
RHAB 755 - Fundamentals of Psychiatric Rehabilitation (Required for Licensed Professional Counselors [LPC] and RSA Scholars)
Provides an overview of rehabilitation programming and underlying problems of persons with severe long-term mental illness. The course is designed to provide a foundation for working with this major disability population, with emphasis on measures needed to support their functioning in the community.
RHAB 756 - Vocational Implications of Mental Illness (Required for RSA Scholars)
Directed at addressing employment-related needs of persons with severe long-term mental illness. The purpose is to make students knowledgeable of the unique vocational assessment needs of this population, as well as measures needed to assist them in obtaining and maintaining employment. (Prequisite - RHAB 755)
RHAB 757 - Psychopathology (Required for Licensed Professional Counselors [LPC]
Provides the theoretical background for understanding the causes, symptomatology, and preferred treatment approaches for conditions identified in the DSM-IV. Prepares students to diagnoses and treat mental health conditions.
RHAB 758 - Classification and Assessment of Mental Disorders (Required for Licensed Professional Counselors [LPC]
As a follow-up to RHAB 757, this course provides an introduction to the classification of mental disorders using the DSM-IV and the use of formalized evaluations and appraisal techniques in achieving a differential diagnosis. (Prerequisite - RHAB 757)
RHAB 760 - Addictions Rehabilitation
Covers theories, treatments, and psychological aspects of addictions. Emphasis is placed on rehabilitative approaches. The purpose is to provide students with a basis for dealing with rehabilitants who are recovering from addictions.
RHAB 761 - Seminar in Dual Diagnosis
Exploration of research and state of the art models for rehabilitation of individuals with a substance abuse/dependency problem and other mental illness. The seminar is based on case studies. (Prequisites - RHAB 757 and 760)
RHAB 881 - Counseling Practicum II
A specialized field placement designed to enable the student to develop select clinical skills. The purpose is to provide the student an opportunity to enhance expertise in an area or need of interest
RHAB 890 - Independent Study
Independent studies are developed in collaboration with faculty to enable
students to explore special topics.
Other elective courses may be selected, but approval of the student's advisor must be obtained.
ANNUAL SCHEDULE OF REHABILITATION COURSES
The rehabilitation counseling practicum and internship experiences provide the students opportunity to develop and refine their counseling skills. They consist of a coordinated set of field placements designed to progressively engage students in counseling practice beginning with basic interviewing and organizational activities and culminating in the assumption of the full range of responsibilities typically carried out by rehabilitation counselors. The field experiences are served under dual supervision of Program-approved field supervisor and Program faculty supervisor.
Ordinarily, students will complete both their practicum and internship
experiences at the same site. Attempts will be made to place students at Program approved
sites consistent with their interest or career objectives. However, a "perfect"
match is not always possible because of the availability of a limited number of sites or
other circumstances. It is emphasized that the primary purpose of the experience is
development of basic rehabilitation counseling skills. That can be accomplished at all
approved sites.
Prior to enrolling in Practicum (RHAB 880), students must obtain professional
liability insurance. This can be purchased through professional counseling associations,
which offer insurance to students at nominal rates. In order to qualify for the insurance,
however, students must be a member of the sponsoring professional organization. Because of
the time required for processing by the organizations, application for membership and
insurance should be made several months prior to the practicum semester. Students not
providing evidence of insurance will not be permitted to enroll in RHAB 880 and 883
(Internship).
For reasons of hardship or other compelling circumstances, a student's
practicum and internship experiences may be served at separate sites or at sites other
than those on the pre- approved list. When exceptions are sought, a written request must
be submitted to the student's advisor by mid-term of the semester preceding the placement.
The advisor must then present the case to the Program faculty for approval before any
other action is taken. Evidence supporting the appropriateness of the alternative site and
qualifications of the potential site supervisor must also be made available to faculty
before request will be considered.
By mid-point of the semester preceding the practicum, students must submit a completed Practicum Application form to the Program Secretary. Forms are available in the Program office. All pre-requisite courses listed on the form should be taken before the Practicum semester. In some instances, an exception may be granted, for example, if a student can provide evidence of course knowledge acquired during work or other experience. Consideration will be given only if the student follows the "Request for Exception" procedure described above.
When completed Practicum applications are received, copies will be provided to the applicant's advisor and Program Director. At that time, the advisor will guide the student in exploring possible placement sites. Unless a Request for Exception has been approved, sites will be chosen from the Program's list of approved sites. A current approved list will be provided by the student's advisor.
No commitments are to be made during the exploration stage. When 2-3
potential placements are identified, the advisor will submit the student's request for
placement to the Program Director or designated faculty coordinator for approval. Only
after written approval has been granted should the student proceed with the final, formal
agreement with the placement site/supervisor. As indicated earlier, it may not be possible
to grant the student's first choice.
Overview
The rehabilitation counseling practicum provides students their initial supervised clinical practice experience. It consists of field placement activities and Program faculty conducted seminar sessions.
Field experiences are carried our under the direction of a field site supervisor in collaboration with designed Program faculty. Students are familiarized with the field site facilities, mission, programs, policies, and clients. They observe service activities and interact with staff. Following orientation, students work with select clients, providing services assigned by the supervisor. Activities may include, but are not limited to, intake interviewing, test administration, individual and group counseling, case documentation, case management, and follow-up. Students may have the opportunity to participate in staff conferences, in-service training, research, and other activities.
Field experiences are augmented by seminars conducted by faculty. Experiences are shared, problems explored, and consultation and guidance provided. Audio tapes of student-client sessions, are used to facilitate learning. A minimum of seven tapes are required from each student. Additional tapes maybe required depending on student progress.
In accordance with Program accreditation standards, students must participate in a minimum of 120 hours of Practicum activities during the semester-long experience. Students are required to maintain a detailed log of their field experience to serve as a basis for seminar discussion and to verify practicum time use. The time must be documented in the student's log. Field experience time must be verified by the field site supervisor.
Students are required to meet at least one hour per week with the field supervisor and one hour per week with their faculty supervisor. The individual sessions with the faculty will include reviewing the audiotapes.
Necessary forms and related materials are contained in Practicum packets available in the Program office. At mid-term and semester end, the field supervisor will complete a student evaluation form to be returned to the faculty supervisor. Following completion of their experience, students must complete an Agency Placement Evaluation form.
Specific student objectives
Become knowledgeable about:
Gain knowledge and experience in the following areas:
Students who are employed either full-or part-time in a situation in which they
can perform the required practicum activities may be able to use their workplace as their
practicum site if approved by their employer and supervisor. Some graduate assistant
situations may qualify as practicum sites. A signed agreement form from the authorizing
agent at the field site must be obtained by the student and returned to the Program
faculty supervising the practicum. The site must be approved by the Program faculty in
accordance with the procedure for requesting exceptions. Students who choose to fulfill
the requirements in this manner must participate in all practicum activities,
including taping counseling sessions, individual sessions with faculty, and attending the seminars conducted by Program faculty.
All candidates for a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of South Carolina are required to complete a supervised Rehabilitation Internship. The internship course for the Rehabilitation Counseling Program (RCP) adheres to the requirements of the national accrediting body, the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Briefly, the standards require a minimum of six hundred (600) clock hours of supervised field experience. The RCP meets this minimum within the normal semester time frame (15 weeks at 40 hours per week). Deviations from this schedule can be arranged when special situations arise, but the 600 hour requirement must be met.
Typically, a student enrolls in RHAB 883 for nine (9) credit hours upon completing all other required courses including their practicum. Students should contact their faculty advisor regarding their readiness for the internship experience. In general, internships are designed to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate and improve both foundation knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and practicum, and advanced competencies representative of the role and functions of professional rehabilitation counselors.
Students employed as rehabilitation counselors/workers may petition the Program
faculty for permission to develop an alternative on-site internship. Work-Study Internships
must be designed with the endorsement of appropriate agency administrative staff with RCP
faculty approval. The student enrolls in the same RHAB 883 for nine (9) semester hours
credit.
Ordinarily, students will continue their internship at the site where their practicum was completed. In this circumstance, only approval of the student's advisor is needed. When an exception is sought, total faculty approval must be obtained following the established procedure.
During Training:
1. At the onset of the internship, the student, faculty, and field supervisor will meet together to develop the objectives for the internship experience. In those instances in which travel to the site is prohibitive, telephone conferences may be utilized.
2. Attend scheduled seminars and/or scheduled appointments periodically throughout the semester with the Program faculty supervisor.
3. Maintain a daily log of your activities including time spent on the various assigned tasks. Copies of the log must be provided to the faculty supervisor on a weekly basis.
4. Prepare and mail to the Program faculty supervisor all periodic reports requested.
5. Request that your internship setting supervisor mail an evaluation to the faculty supervisor at mid-term and have the final one completed for a meeting conducted during the last week of the scheduled experience.
6. Complete an Agency Placement Evaluation form at the end of the semester and return it to the faculty supervisor.
7. At the end of the internship, the student, faculty, and field supervisor will meet to review the internship and the student's performance.
A final grade will not be reported until all internship evaluation forms have been received by the faculty supervisor.
Internship packets containing two copies of the Internship Evaluation form (for
mid-term and final evaluation of interns), and a copy of the Agency Placement Evaluation
form are available in the Program office. Packets should be of obtained by students at the
time they are ready to begin internship planning.
The internship experience for Work/Study students will involve the final semester of enrollment but will not require the student to be on campus except to meet with the faculty supervisor. Students are classified "Work/Study" if they are currently working full-time in a rehabilitation services agency setting and have direct contact with clients involved in the rehabilitation process.
The internship, upon approval, will take place in the student's home office in his or her own job setting. The specific projects to be completed in the internship should reflect the thinking and mutual agreement of the student's immediate supervisor, representative of the USC Rehabilitation Counseling Program, and the student. The projects should be realistic in that they will serve a practical need as indicated by the student's home office. Preliminary planning for internship on the part of the student should begin as early as possible, e.g., the beginning of the semester before the actual enrollment semester of internship. The student should begin considering projects including the thinking and suggestions of her or his immediate supervisor.
Work/Study Internship Projects
1. Research Study
A study will be completed during the semester of internship meeting a need expressed by the student's home office. The study may be completed during the semester or represent a segment or phase of a planned longitudinal study involving two or more students from the same office. The study may be a data gathering effort, a survey effort, a comparison study, or any one of a number of different possibilities. The selection of type and topic of study should be done in collaboration with the student's immediate supervisor.
2. Teaching Role
The student will be expected to be placed in a teaching role (minimum of four clock hours) during the during the internship semester through the presentation of a topic needing attention as indicated by the student's immediate supervisor. The topic may be medical, occupational information, placement, an aspect of counseling, or any other topic that would be informative for the office staff.
3. Public Relations and/or Publicity Project
A public relations and/or publicity project will be completed theat may or may not actually be used depending upon its clearance. The project could, for example, involve the creation of a slide presentation telling the story about one particular aspect of rehabilitation, a series of newspaper articles about a client's rehabilitation from the public interest standpoint, a prepared talk for a civic club, or any other project ideas that would assist, in general, to achieve favorable publicity or achieve better public relations. Project selection should be done in conjunction with the student 's immediate supervisor.
This page last updated 02 January 2007
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