Rehabilitation Counseling, MS
Recovery is a journey. As a certified rehabilitation counselor, you’ll empower individuals facing physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health challenges to approach their path with hope.
Put Theory Into Practice
Our fully accredited master’s program in rehabilitation counseling isn’t just the most affordable CACREP-accredited program in Western New York—it’s also a national leader. As a student at a Research 1-classified institution, you’ll have a chance to incorporate the latest practices into your work while also assisting faculty with their own research. Choose from online-only or in-person options as you tailor your program to fit your lifestyle.
Facing Down a Challenge
When Kaily Zenquiz Santiago encourages other students to break down obstacles to reach their goals, she speaks from experience: as a student with visual impairment in GSE’s rehabilitation counseling master’s program, she’s encountered many along the way. At UB, though, she says she’s found a welcoming, accessible community.
Points of Distinction
You will gain valuable experience through the rehabilitation counseling program. You will amass more than 750 hours of clinical experience with diverse populations. Your hard work will pay off. More than 95 percent of our graduates go on to work in the rehabilitation field.
Rehabilitation counseling is as meaningful as it is in high demand. The U.S. Department of Labor expects jobs in the field to grow 10-14% through 2026, with more than 14,000 job openings. Graduates are eligible to become a nationally certified rehabilitation counselors with the CRC designation.
This three-year, fully online program is ranked first in New York State and 25th nationally by U.S. News & World Report. It is accredited by both the New York State Education Department and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).
Program Summary
| Academic credential granted | Master of Science (MS) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 60 |
| Time to completion | 4 to 6 full-time semesters See program coursework for details |
| Course delivery | On campus or online |
| Experiential contact hours | 750 hours |
| Application deadline | Fall: April 1, then rolling until June 30 |
- 32 students graduated with master’s degrees in the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Program completion percentage was 66% based on our 2023 rehabilitation counseling study that uses a 5-year average.
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) exam pass rates were 75% for 2020-2021, 70% for 2021-2022, and 56% for 2022-2023.
- 2023-2024 study of program graduates found that 100% of respondents were employed (96% working in the rehabilitation field; 7% of respondents did not answer this question).
- 2023-2024 survey of employers and supervisors showed that 100% stated our counselor training was “excellent” or “good” compared to other rehabilitation counseling programs.
Career settings include:
- Alcohol and drug abuse recovery programs
- College/university accessibility resources offices
- Corporate human resources or employee relation offices
- Employment services and vocational rehabilitation programs
- Government agencies and their affiliated services programs
- Health insurance or private rehabilitation companies
- Medical, psychiatric and vocational clinics or centers
- Penal and correctional institutions
- Private practice
- Veterans' administration and its hospitals
Our rehabilitation counseling master’s degree program (60 credit hours) is offered in two course delivery formats:
- On campus: completed on a full-time basis (12 credits or more per semester) or a part-time basis (6 credits) if desired.
- Online: completed on a part-time basis and completed in less than three years. Students take two courses per semester (fall, spring and summer).
Syllabi for coursework may be obtained by contacting the program director.
Required Courses
- CEP 503 Tests and Measurement
- CEP 532 Understanding Statistical Research
- CEP 541 Human Growth and Development
- CEP 597 Counseling Practicum (RC section; 150 contact hours) (4 credits)
- CEP 596 Field Work: Counseling Techniques (RC section)
- CEP 600 RC Internship (RC section; 600 contact hours) (12 credits)
- CEP 615 Legal and Ethical Issues
- CEP 634 Multicultural Counseling
- CEP 649 Rehabilitation Foundations
- CEP 653 Foundations of Counseling Theory
- CEP 655 Case Management and Rehabilitation Profession (4 credits)
- CEP 658 Introduction to Group Work (with lab) (4 credits)
- CEP 661 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
- CEP 680 Career Development
- CEP 683 Vocational Placement Process
- CEP Elective — Approved CEP elective at the graduate level
Some courses have a synchronous component where you will meet as an entire class online via web-based video conferencing (such as Zoom). CEP 596 requires synchronous class sessions for skill practice and other assignments. CEP 597 and CEP 600 are clinical placement courses and must be completed with instructor supervision weekly during the semester. You may also need to arrange synchronous meetings or presentations in CEP 615, CEP 658 and CEP 683. You must attend the synchronous meetings to pass the courses.
Depending on the chosen site and other considerations, you may complete the internship in the fall by registering for 12 credit hours and completing 600 contact hours.
You must have a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a related field.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for at least two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Statement of intent regarding the relevance of your career goals to rehabilitation counseling, a description of your abilities that help you be successful in graduate school, your interpersonal skills that will help you in forming therapeutic relationships with clients, and a description of your respect for cultural diversity.
Admission Interview: An interview is required to be considered for admission to this program.
Former/Birth Name: Please provide us with your former/birth name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/birth name.
Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In-State Residency Tuition
To qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test, the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, or DET (Duolingo English Test).
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 79 for internet-based test
- IELTS Academic Test minimum score is 6.5 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- DET minimum score is 120 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
The rehabilitation counseling program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The program was accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Counselor Education (CORE) until that organization merged with CACREP in July 2017. As a result, the rehabilitation counseling program at the University at Buffalo is accredited by CACREP. This accreditation is separate from CACREP accreditation for the 60-hour Licensed Mental Health Counselor programs.
Students of CACREP-accredited programs are eligible to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination in their final year of the program. Seventy-five percent of coursework needs to be completed at least one to two months prior to taking the exam. Students who pass the CRC exam are eligible to submit their transcript after degree conferral to the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) under Category One. This will allow students to immediately hold the credential as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) without the need for prior supervised employment in the field, as required for other certification categories.
Revised federal regulations under 34 CFR §668 now require the University at Buffalo (UB) to determine whether or not academic programs leading to professional licensure meet the educational requirements for licensure in states where UB students reside.
As such this attestation outlines the responsibilities of both UB and students in our Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling program.
UB offers the Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling which leads to a nationally recognized Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification. The program is fully accredited by the New York State Education Department and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Successful completion of the program prepares students to sit for the CRC examination, administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Eligibility falls under Category 1, based on the CRCC certification criteria for students or graduates of a CACREP program and completion of a 600-hour internship supervised by a certified rehabilitation counselor. Upon passing the exam and meeting other CRCC requirements, graduates of our program are eligible for the CRC credential. Individuals seeking certification or licensure in states other than New York State must check requirements directly with their board as some states may consider recognition of the master’s degree or CRC credential on a case-by-case basis. Recognition of CACREP-accredited programs and other requirements may also vary by state.
Therefore, students enrolling in the Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling program while residing outside of New York State should be aware that:
- UB cannot guarantee that this online program meets all the requirements for certification or licensure in a student's state of residence or any state.
- If an online student seeks certification or licensure in a state other than New York State, it is the student’s responsibility to determine that state’s specific requirements beyond the curricular requirements for UB’s Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling program, and to seek additional guidance from their home state, including potential recognition of the CRC exam as a general counseling license, the board’s recognition of a CACREP-accredited program and any other state guidelines for satisfying those certification/licensure requirements. The CRCC website provides resources related to CRC certification including a certification guide and links to state professional counselor licensure boards. Students are also instructed to consult with the UB program director and department leadership for assistance with this process.
Disclaimer: The University at Buffalo cannot provide legal advice or guarantee professional certification or licensure eligibility in any state. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable state certification and licensure requirements. UB is not a state licensing authority and cannot guarantee that a student will be issued a professional license or professional certification in any state.
Faculty Expertise
Scott Sabella, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology. His primary research focuses on counselor supervision, program management and leadership within public rehabilitation agencies. Sabella recently authored articles related to the removal of barriers to community participation of people with disabilities and the support needs of people with brain injuries. His clinical counseling interests include group work, motivational interviewing and experiential counseling strategies and techniques to enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities.