Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling

Program accreditation
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

The Department of Rehabilitation Counseling offers a 60-credit hour master’s in rehabilitation and mental health counseling with two concentration options: clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling. This degree meets the educational requirements for the licensed professional counselor as set by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Disclosure regarding eligibility for out-of-state licensure can be found on the VCU provost’s website. This degree also meets the educational requirements for several professional certifications such as the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and the Nationally Certified Counselor.

Department goals

• To provide students with educational experiences that facilitate the development of knowledge, skills and values necessary to practice as a licensed professional counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor
• To provide students with learning opportunities that foster culturally responsive and ethical counseling practices
• To provide students with clinical training environments that prepare them to work in a variety of counseling settings
• To provide an inclusive education that focuses on the intersections of people's identities
• To interweave a mental health and disability focus into all course work

Student learning outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to function ethically and effectively within settings that offer counseling, advocacy and related services to diverse populations
• Understand a range of counseling theories and skills applicable in a pluralistic society with individuals, groups, couples and families, as well as demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge in a therapeutic manner to promote change and growth
• Understand and apply the stages of development throughout the lifespan, including developmental goals, when working with individuals, regardless of disability or other impairing conditions
• Understand and apply career development theory and tools
• Demonstrate the ability to apply case management techniques with an understanding of the range of community resources available
• Demonstrate the appropriate use of assessment techniques when working with individuals and utilize relevant information within the counseling process
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate professional research literature and incorporate such information into their professional development
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective professional counselor through supervised practicum and internship experience

Clinical mental health counseling concentration-specific learning outcome(s) 

Students in the clinical mental health counseling track will:

• Participate in clinical experiences focused on providing a variety of counseling services that address mental health and emotional well-being
• Perform a wide range of therapeutic services among diverse client populations

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Other information

A student handbook is made available to students through a closed electronic system (Canvas) and at new student orientation.

Apply online today.

Admission requirements

Special requirements

Full- and part-time students can be accommodated by the program. To be considered, all pertinent materials must be received in the department by Jan. 15 for a fall admission.

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Official transcripts from ALL schools attended including undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Also include any community college or dual enrollment courses where college credit was received. Transcripts should include the following:
   • The name of the college or university.
   • The name of the applicant.
   • For applicants who have already graduated, the awarding of a degree.
2. A personal statement providing the following information (word.doc upload):

• Professional goals and how this program will help achieve these goals.
• Educational, work, volunteer experiences and/or lived experiences that have led to seeking this career.

   3.  Supplemental statements entered in Slate: 

• Engagement in this program (e.g., full-time, part-time, on campus or online/distance learning). 
• A particular lived experience that shaped personal traits (e.g., resilience, humor, etc.). 
• Personal growth and development pursued throughout life.
• Anything else that should be known, including any special skills that have not yet been discussed (e.g., multilingual, certifications or completed training related to the field).
• If GPA was less than 3.0, please discuss plan for academic success in graduate school.

   4.  Three professional or academic references from instructors/professors or academic adviser, employers or supervisors are preferred. 

   5.  Current resume or curriculum vita.

Instructions for applying are located on the Graduate Admissions website.

Degree requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, the minimum degree requirement is 60 graduate credits.

Graduates from this Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited rehabilitation and mental health counseling master’s program will be trained in the following content areas: counseling theory, counseling techniques relevant to individuals, families, and groups; individual, group and environmental assessment; psychosocial and medical aspects of disability; lifespan human development; cultural diversity, equity and inclusion; principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and diagnosis; group counseling; case management, rehabilitation and treatment planning including case conceptualization; issues and ethics in rehabilitation and mental health service delivery; vocational evaluation and work adjustment; addiction and substance use; trauma and trauma-informed care, career counseling and job development; technological trends and applications; and the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other relevant policies. 

Graduates from this degree will meet the educational requirements for the licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia. Other states may have different licensure requirements not met by this degree. Graduates will also meet the educational requirements to become a certified rehabilitation counselor and a nationally certified counselor. This degree takes a minimum of two years (including summers) to complete.

According to CACREP standards and the requirements of the department, students must have supervised rehabilitation and mental health counseling practicum and internship experiences that include:

• A minimum of 100 clock hours of fieldwork experience (as part of RHAB 692)
• A minimum of 600 clock hours of internship experience in rehabilitation and mental health settings (as part of RHAB 695)

Practicum and Internship experiences shall be carried out under the regularly scheduled supervision of a professional counselor with relevant training and licenses/certifications (e.g., CRC and LPC). The quality of supervision shall be maintained by involvement of VCU faculty in terms of ongoing consultation, professional development resources and supervision training provided to agency supervisors.

Transfer credit

A maximum of 12 graduate credit hours may be transferred from another VCU graduate program or outside institution if not applied previously to another degree. Transfer credit hours must carry a minimum grade of B from an accredited institution. Acceptance of transfer credit hours is made at the level of the department chair and dean of the College of Health Professions. Transfer credit hours earned as a nondegree-seeking graduate student are limited to six credit hours. Credit hours earned as deficiency hours or to demonstrate the ability to compete at the graduate level, though transferable, may not be applied to the 60-credit-hour program of study.

Curriculum requirements

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 60.

Example of a full-time plan of study

Note that semesters three and six are completed during the summer.

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 60.

Contact
Jared Schultz, Ph.D.
Professor and chair, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling
rehabcnsling@vcu.edu

Program website: rehab.chp.vcu.edu/programs/masters