Rehabilitation Services Education

(Undergraduate Degree Program)

Background
Emporia State's undergraduate Rehabilitation Services Education (RSE) program was established in 1972 through the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation Programs. Depending on individual interest and area of concentration, graduates will function in any of the evaluation, coordination, placement, development, training/treatment, and communication involvement phases of rehabilitation. For persons trained at the bachelor's level, entry jobs exist as rehabilitation specialists, work evaluators, work adjustment specialists, job placement specialists, training supervisors, employment interviewers, case managers, residential workers, and community workers who work with clientele exhibiting specific rehabilitation needs. The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Rehabilitation Services Education is a non-teaching degree.

Professional Identity
At the present time, there are only about 55 programs nationwide that offer a major/emphasis in disability studies or rehabilitation services. Most programs were begun in the early 1970's under the new national concern with the shortage of bachelor's level personnel with expertise in the adjustment services necessary to assist individuals with disabilities. One priority of these new programs was directed toward individuals leaving the supportive environment of secondary rehab systems.  Programs which have developed are sometimes referred to as a combination of special education and social work preparation.  The strength of the new growing programs is the focus on helping individuals obtain meaningful employment and independence. Employment opportunities for graduates are acceptable in a variety of human service agencies that provide direct services to individuals who meet adjustment/correctional established eligibility requirements versus benefit programs that are based on entitlement guidelines.

A graduate in the field of rehabilitation works with individuals experiencing chronic and persistent mental illness, mental retardation, vision and hearing problems, severe physical disability, problems with alcoholism and substance abuse, behavior management difficulty and the juvenile/adult court system, adjustment problems due to negative societal attitudes, and frustration due to environmental barriers.

Specialized courses and workshops are offered each year to supplement the courses required for the major. These courses allow students to study new trends and challenges concerning disability issues. In recent years, these special courses and workshops have covered subjects such as technology in rehabilitation, grant writing, sign language, independent living, behavior management, juvenile/adult offenders, alcohol and drug abuse, crisis counseling, sexuality and disability, community-based programs, and administration and supervision in rehabilitation.

With the passage of ADA in 1990 and the growing job opportunities in supported work, independent living, case management, and transition programs the demand for graduates is increasing; the need for professionally trained individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds and persons experiencing disability is acute and growing. The strengths of the program are the cooperation with employers in refining the curriculum, the comprehensive curriculum, the practical field experience, the program expansion and development over the last twenty-four years, and the experienced and dedicated faculty.

Philosophy
Rehabilitation refers to the philosophy and approach followed by human service providers concerned with vocational, psychological, social, and environmental barriers that impact on the lives of persons with disabilities. Rehabilitation also is a program of services to empower individuals with a disabling condition to maximize employability, attain economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into American society. A major goal is to assist the person with a disability to move from a status of dependence to one of independence so that personal adjustment and/or the opportunity to succeed economically, via employment, can be attained.

The undergraduate program provides an excellent background for graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling and related helping professions. Graduates of Emporia State's undergraduate Rehabilitation Services Education program who are accepted into Emporia State's masters degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling may follow a modified program of study to meet the graduate degree requirements.

Mission/Objectives
The primary objectives of this rehabilitation education program are:

     1) to prepare students to assume positions as rehabilitation service

         specialists in a variety of human service settings

     2) to prepare students to enter graduate study in Rehabilitation  

         Counseling and related professional service fields.

The Rehabilitation Services Education program offers students a comprehensive yet practical foundation of principles and strategies to facilitate employability in the broad fields of rehabilitation and human services.

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