Southern Illinois University Carbondale

The Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is one of the largest rehabilitation programs in the country and has been ranked number three in the nation by national surveys. Rehabilitation Counseling is a dynamic and growing field, offering employment opportunities in both public and private sectors, serving individuals with disabilities.

The mission of the Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program is to prepare professional Rehabilitation Counselors to work with people with physical, mental, or emotional disability. The goal of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist people with disabilities to achieve maximum psychological, social, vocational, economic independence, and quality of life to their fullest capacity. The foundation of Rehabilitation Counseling is one of empowerment in which individuals exercise control over their own lives. Rehabilitation Counseling focuses on the whole person, including physical, psychological and spiritual aspects, as well as family, social and work relationships.

The Rehabilitation Counselor needs advanced skills in interpersonal communications and counseling, assessment procedures, case management, coordination of services, job placement, and understanding of psychosocial and medical aspects of disability. Rehabilitation Counselors also work closely with family members, and confer with a number of other professionals, such as physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, and other health professionals. The curriculum of Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Counseling are designed to help students develop these skills.

Accreditation

Our Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program is fully accredited by the national accrediting body, the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The Substance Abuse Specialization is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association.