Rehabilitation Counseling

RE 510. HELPING RELATIONSHIPS IN COUNSELING 3 HRS. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the cognitive and affective elements necessary to establish professional helping relationships with clients. Role-playing and videotape recordings will be an integral part of the instructional process. The theoretical concepts of interviewing as well as the practical aspects in establishing professional helping relationships between the human services worker and the client will be examined.

RE 540. SIGN LANGUAGE I 3 HRS. This course will provide the student with a lexicon of approximately 600 signs. The student will become familiar with various sign language systems and will be able to recognize their differences. Important issues within the field of deafness will be addressed, including: deaf culture, education of deaf people, assistive listening devices, and professions in the field of deafness. Through the class text, additional readings, class discussions, and deaf consumers, the student will continue to develop signing skills while developing an understanding of how hearing loss affects individual development.

RE 541. SIGN LANGUAGE II 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, RE 540 Sign Language I) This is the second course in a two-course sequence for students focusing on learning more advanced communication skills to more effectively work with persons who are deaf or hearing impaired. Students will develop knowledge of and sensitivity for the experiences, concerns, and conditions which affect deaf/hearing impaired children and adults.

RE 542. SIGN LANGUAGE III 2 HRS. (Prerequisites are RE 540 and RE 541.) This class is an advanced level class designed for students with no less than two (2) semesters of college-level American Sign Language (ASL) credit, RE 540 and RE 541. Students will be introduced to additional linguistic features of ASL, idioms and poetry. Through textbook assignments and class activities students will refine their signing skills and come to a better understanding of ASL and those who use it as their primary language.

RE 560. REHABILITATION OF THE JUVENILE/ ADULT OFFENDER 2 HRS. This course focuses on understanding the role of rehabilitation services and counseling within the adult and juvenile justice system. It emphasizes the issues in rehabilitation assessment and the resources that may be helpful in case management, planning, and counseling. It will also address ethical and legal issues in service delivery, the influence of the judicial system on rehabilitation efforts, and the role of rehabilitation professionals in the current justice system.

RE 636.  INTRODUCTION TO GROUP PROCEDURES 2 HRS.  (Prerequisite, permission required.)  The focus of this course is to provide an opportunity for the further development of interpersonal skills and personal growth through exposure and participation in group guidance activities.  The majority of class time will be spent providing students with the opportunity to realize the potential of providing educational and self-growth experiences for persons who have a disability.  Scholarly materials will be presented to acquaint the student with the various theoretical approaches and uses of group work.  A great deal of time will also be spent in the application of this knowledge in a group experience. An expectation of this course will be for each student to identify, research, prepare and present a paper on a topic or theory related to group work.  The paper/presentation must address the issue of how techniques/theory etc., can be applied to meet the needs of persons having disabilities.

RE 640. DISABILITY POLICY AND HUMAN SERVICE SYSTEMS 2 HRS. This course will review the major disability service delivery systems in the United States including the public/not-for-profit sector, private-for-profit sector, independent living rehabilitation, disability management, social security, and other related human service systems that provide services to individuals with disabilities. This class will look at the definition of disability across all of these service systems. The Americans with Disabilities Act and other major legislation that has influenced the delivery of services and/or the discrimination of persons with disabilities will be covered in depth.

RE 641. CASE MANAGEMENT IN REHABILITATION 3 HRS. (Prerequisites, RE 290, 291, 392.) Designed to provide the student with an understanding in-depth of the principles and techniques involved in casework procedures in social and rehabilitation service agencies. The student will learn the essential content of the client study process and techniques in plan formulation and implementation.

RE 660. INTRODUCTION TO ADDICTIONS 2 HRS. This course is designed to facilitate awareness of addictions including alcohol and drug abuse. Various types of addictions will be explored. Students will be introduced to treatment and prevention approaches appropriate to each addiction. An emphasis will be placed on understanding addictions in a sociocultural context. Case studies, guest presenters and class lectures will assist students in understanding rehabilitation approaches to addiction.

RE 670. ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE IN COUNSELING 3 HRS. This course will introduce the student to the different theories of addiction: 1) Biological 2) Psychodynamic, 3) Social Learning, 4) Systems, 5) Sociocultural, and 6) Spiritual and their implications for counseling. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the cultural variables that influence alcohol and substance use across the various microcultures. The phenomena of dual diagnosis (alcohol and substance abuse coexistent with another disabling condition) will be explored. Culturally relevant counseling and rehabilitation strategies will be explored.

RE 680. INDEPENDENT LIVING AND ADVOCACY 2 HRS. (Prerequisites, RE 290, RE 291, or concurrent.) This course is designed to provide both graduate and undergraduate students a comprehensive overview of independent living services including individual and community advocacy strategies. The focus will be on those individuals with the more severe disabilities and their needs. To accomplish the aforementioned, course content will include a history of the independent living movement and current status of independent living centers in the United States. The advocacy component of the course will be presented through a lens of individual issues regarding community, social, vocational, and personal inclusion barriers that people with disabilities experience. It will address the concept of self-determination and consumer choice and effective interventions to assist individuals attain their personal goals.

RE 681. FAMILY ISSUES IN REHABILITATION 1 HR. This course will examine some of the principles and theories that influence family services, and the roles and factors that significant others play in supporting rehabilitation services to individuals. It will emphasize a holistic view of the family, disability, and rehabilitation. Issues that impact on personal adjustment and rehabilitation goal attainment will be explored as well as the meaning of the “family” in today’s society. Legislation and agency policy will be examined to understand the economic and relationship implications to families. Students will obtain a general overview of the influence of the family in adjustment, the resources available to families in the rehabilitation process, the importance of advocacy in attaining rehabilitation goals, and the role of beliefs and family values in individual adjustment.

RE 682. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS IN REHABILITATION 1 HRS. The purpose of this course will be to introduce students to the basics of behavior management theory, process and techniques as used in various rehabilitation settings. Emphasis will be placed on the identification of antecedents (previsou experiences) and the use of natural supports and consequences as behavior management tools. Course content will include behavioral techniques as used in such areas as job coaching, situational assessments and work adjustment settings. Students will be provided experience in functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans.

RE 692. VOCATIONAL INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT 3 HRS. An orientation to occupations, occupational information assessment instruments, assessment techniques and information interpretation as utilized in various vocational rehabilitation settings. Consideration will also be given to various theoretical approaches to vocational planning and the impact of theory on practice.

RE 695. EMPL0YMENT ISSUES IN REHABILITATION 3 HRS. This course explores the factors that influence successful employment of people with disabilities in the current labor market. Emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of both the worker with a disability who is seeking employment and the employer who creates employment opportunities for workers. Students are introduced to business and social forces which shape the labor market and how to use those forces in employment planning with workers with disabilities. Strategies for doing employer development, job development, and job placement in public and proprietary sectors are examined. Students will learn job seeking skills and how to design employment supports for workers with disabilities.

RE 699.  INTERNSHIP IN REHABILITATION SERVICES 1-9 HRS.  (Prerequisite, permission required.)  The opportunity for supervised application of theory to practice in a rehabilitation setting under direct supervision of qualified persons in the host agency and the university faculty.

RE 701. FOUNDATIONS OF REHABILITATION COUNSELING 3 HRS. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the foundations of rehabilitation and the rehabilitation counseling profession. The course will introduce students to relevant aspects of rehabilitation history, philosophy, values and practice, with an emphasis on the operational aspects of the rehabilitation service delivery system. The course will examine current issues, community resources, services, and the vocational rehabilitation process.

RE 720. SPECIAL TOPICS IN REHABILITATION 1-3 HRS. (Prerequisite, permission required.) The purpose of this course is to provide in-depth studies in the specific dimensions of rehabilitation services such as sign language, family counseling in rehabilitation, alcohol and drug abuse, independent living, behavior management, private sector rehabilitation, etc. Topics to be covered will vary from semester to semester.

RE 730. MEDICAL ASPECTS OF DISABILITY 3 HRS. Provides medical information about disabling conditions and introduces students to medical terminology. Includes knowledge of the etiology, prognosis, methods of treatment, effects of disabling conditions and implications for the rehabilitation professional. Relationships of other health related personnel to medical services and comprehensive rehabilitation are also emphasized.

RE 732. PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY 3 HRS. This course focuses on understanding the psychological processes involved in adjusting to disability. The major characteristics of disability that impact adjustment will be explored as well as stage theories typically cited when referencing the adjustment to disability. Social, environmental and political factors that impact how persons with disabilities are viewed in society will be discussed. A developmental approach will be taken as life stages will be explored. The impact that disability has on personality development, sexual functioning, families, and social functioning will also be covered.

RE 741. TECHNOLOGY IN REHABILITATION 1 HR. This special course will explore the use of access and assistive technology in the rehabilitation process. Classroom activities will focus on awareness and decision making in selecting and using technology to assist people with disabilities in the rehabilitation process. Students will explore ways in which people with disabilities use technology, the theory involved in the employment of assistive technology and the role that the rehabilitation counselor plays in the assistive technology process. Students will experiment with the "information highway" and learn how it can be utilized in locating rehabilitation knowledge and information.

RE 742. MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN REHABILITATION 2 HRS. This course focuses on the role of management and leadership in various rehabilitation agencies/programs. The course will emphasize examination of management principles from a global perspective to local application of administrative policies and their relation to external influences. Various domains of responsibility will be explored as they pertain to the modern manager's multiple functions in the agency/facility environment. The importance of politics, long-range planning, personnel policies, limited resources, service delivery attitudes, and personnel qualifications will also be examined.

RE 743. GRANT WRITING IN HUMAN SERVICES 1 HR. This special seminar/workshop will examine the major components that are usually required in writing and obtaining external grant funding. The essential elements and preparation guidelines that need to be considered in writing a grant application as well as the typical process of grant review or evaluation will be covered. The class will also provide suggestions and handouts that might facilitate success in obtaining external grant funding.

RE 744. CONFLICT RESOLUTION 1 HR. This course is designed to give human services professionals, counselors, and educators an overview of the principles of conflict resolution as a viable and appropriate clinical intervention. As such, the course focuses upon etiology and nature of conflict, social norms and roles, and conflict assessment. Conflict resolution strategies will also be examined and practiced.

RE 746. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 1 HR. This is an introductory course to psychopharmacology for non-medical, helping professionals. Emphasis is placed on the basic principles of pharmacology, the effects of drugs on the human central and peripheral nervous systems and particularly psychoactive drug effects on human cognitive, behavioral and affective domains. It will provide an overview of pharmacological classification systems and various interventions frequently utilized. Students will become familiar with pharmacological lexicon and the benefits/consequences and side effects of drug use and abuse. The implications for rehabilitation services and counseling will be examined.

RE 747. ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS 2 HRS. This course will provide students with an understanding of various principles of mental health/human services administration and management, and supervision models. Students will explore their own management and supervisory styles as well as principles of effective leadership. Students will gain knowledge in understanding the necessary components for planning and evaluation in human service programming, customer satisfaction, organizational culture, funding resources, and regulations and laws. The impact of funding sources, e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, and JCAHO and accrediting agencies will also be examined.

RE751. ADVANCED CASE MANAGEMENT 2 HRS. This course integrates rehabilitation principles, knowledge, and skills using systematic and sequential planning and management. Topics will include: (1) the goals and models of case management in rehabilitation; (2) client/consumer interviewing and assessment; (3) planning for appropriate and effective intervention strategies, services, and benefits, included in a rehabilitation plan; (4) plan implementation, program monitoring, and evaluation; and (5) placement and closure. The course will address several key components including effective documentation, process and relationships, health care management, community resources and supports, service delivery, psychosocial interventions, ethical dilemmas, labor markets and job development, crisis interventions, conflict resolution and problem-solving processes, and management techniques. It will focus on facilitating the consumer’s quality of life, maximum functioning in the environment of choice, and making desired vocational or employment decisions.

RE 833. DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS 3 HRS. This course provides an overview of the diagnostic criteria utilized in the diagnosis of mental illness. Assessment, psycholopharmacology, treatment and rehabilitation modalities will be explored. Using lecture and case studies, students will be provided with experience in diagnosing mental disorders and developing appropriate treatment/rehabilitation plans.

RE 840. RESEARCH PROBLEM IN REHABILITATION 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, consent of instructor.) Under individual direction, the student will select and pursue investigation of a special problem involved in rehabilitation counseling or related work. Admission and approval of the project must come from the director of the Rehabilitation Counselor Education program.

RE 845. OBSERVATION IN REHABILITATION 1-3 HRS. (Prerequisite, consent of instructor.) Purpose is to acquaint the student with the organizational structure, processes, and working conditions in a rehabilitation agency or program. Accomplished through personal observation by the student, and in interactions with the rehabilitation professionals in the field.

RE 847. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION IN REHABILITATION 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, consent of instructor.) Purpose is to give the student supervisory experience in rehabilitation counseling and casework. This is accomplished by (1) assigning the student supervisees for whom the student is responsible in areas of counseling supervision and case management and (2) weekly meetings with the supervisees and members of the Rehabilitation Counselor Training program faculty.

RE 855. SUPERVISED PRACTICUM IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING 3 HRS. (Prerequisites: CE 805, CE 810, CE 825, RE 801 and have an approved application for admission to the practicum the semester before expected enrollment.) This course is designed to provide the graduate counseling students an opportunity to apply and further one's knowledge of counseling and rehabilitation practice through supervised counseling and case management experiences. It is a continuation of the learning process which began in CE 810, Counseling Skills Development, and allows the student to learn about various counseling strategies and issues in the context of actual counseling practice. It will expose the student to the many practical, ethical, and rehabilitation issues involved in actual counseling experiences.

RE 875. TRENDS AND ISSUES IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING 3 HRS. (Prerequisites, CE 710, RE 640, RE 695, RE 751, RE 832, RE 833, RE 855.)   Current trends, problems and developments in rehabilitation. Students pursue a special interest and mutually share information and experience with the group through individual reports and group discussions.

RE 899. INTERNSHIP IN REHABILITATION 1-12 HRS. (Prerequisites, RE 855 and permission required.) Opportunities for the application of theory in the practice of rehabilitation counseling and case management in a rehabilitation setting. Provided under the general direction and supervision of the university and the direct supervision of a qualified person within the agency or facility. Review of clients' problems, possible solutions, and rehabilitation planning is emphasized.

Last Updated February 1, 2008