Lynn Gagne Interwork Institute Graduate Student

Vocational Rehabilitation VR is all about jobs! RCs work with people who have disabilities and want to work. 70% of PWD are unemployed! It’s the state and federal system of agencies that helps individuals with significant disabilities figure out their career paths, find and maintain employment Started in 1920s Combined budgets of about $30 billion to help over 800,000 new people each year to find jobs and live independently

Work as a Rehabilitation Counselor State Departments of Rehabilitation Community/Local Rehabilitation Programs (such as Regional Center or Clubhouses) Non-profits Secondary schools: transitioning from high school to work Higher education: disability support and services Opportunities to develop unique support services through grants

Work as a Rehab Counselor con’t Veterans’ Administration Federal positions Provide counseling, assessment, career development to individuals with disabilities Empower people to make informed choices, build viable careers, & live more independently in the community

Master’s of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Fully accredited degree since 1975 SDSU’s program ranked in top ten in US SDSU typically accepts about 25 students each year No specific undergraduate degree required Monthly stipends (amount depends on number of students in program) Almost all classes are held off campus with free parking!

Admission Requirements Complete application for admission to both SDSU and the Master’s Program Submit application through CSU Mentor between Oct 1, 2009 and Feb 1, 2010; need 2 official transcripts and GRE score Complete departmental application with personal statement and 3 letters of recommendations If accepted into program, you must accept or decline by May 15, 2010

Program Requirements Sixty units of graduate level courses Total 700 hours practical work including classroom, general and direct contact Practicum and internship placement assistance available International internships are possible (China, Australia, Ireland, Thailand)

Courses Medical Aspects of Disability A & B Assessment Career Development Assistive Technology Foundations of Rehabilitation Group Dynamics Multicultural Counseling Methods of Inquiry Theory and Practice Disability Systems Placement Practices Organizational Development Program Development Three Practica: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced (not required)

Specializations Opportunities to specialization in different areas of rehabilitation Include opportunities to work one-on-one with professors on a variety of projects including research with may lead to publication Tuition assistance and stipends paid through individual specialization grants Opportunities to attend conferences paid through specialization grant money Opportunities to present papers/posters at professional conferences

Specializations continued Psychiatric Disabilities Cognitive Disabilities (autism, brain injury, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities) Rehabilitation Technology (available as a stand alone certificate [15 units]) Supported Employment and transition Rehabilitation Administration

Graduation Requirements Three methods: Thesis: only two students in history of program have chosen this method Portfolio of all work done while in program Portfolios may be required in the specializations Comprehensive exam: most students choose this since the test is similar to the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam

Suggested Undergraduate Courses Psychology 370 Testing and Measurement General Studies 420 Disability and Society Psychology 452 Introduction to Counseling and Therapy

Administration, Rehabilitation, & Postsecondary Education (ARPE) (in College of Education) Doctorate of Education, Educational Leadership (Community College Leadership) Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Focus in Community College Teaching & Leadership Specialization in Student Affairs

Deadlines SDSU has chosen to make February 1 the required deadline for all graduate applications. That means that all students interested in applying for the ON-CAMPUS program in Rehabilitation Counseling must comply with the following new deadlines: 1. Submit your application through CSU Mentor between October 1, 2009 and February 1, Complete departmental application with recommendations, submit transcripts, and complete the GRE by March 1, Students will be notified by SDSU of their acceptance and will be asked to accept or decline admission by May 15. For those applicants who are on a "wait list" and are notified after that, they will have until June 1 to accept or decline admission. Note: Due to budget cuts, no Spring 2010 admits will be accepted

Contact Information Interwork Institute online at: Leesa Brockman, Academic Coordinator, (619) Lynn Gagne: