Our rehabilitation counseling advanced certificate program is for you if you hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field of study and you want to help veterans or people with disabilities return to work or live independently. You will learn the background education and information needed to effectively work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social and professional effects of disabilities on achieving their goals. Our program provides you with the educational requirements to be eligible for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam under the new Category 3 guidelines (formerly Category D and R). Additional guidelines are set and approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) requirements.
Rehabilitation counseling is an exciting, rapidly growing profession, and UB's master’s degree program is one of the oldest and best of its kind in the United States. Students earning the certificate will learn alongside students enrolled in the master’s degree program. Certified Rehabilitation Counselors hold leadership positions around the country and work to assist people with disabilities to achieve goals related to vocational, educational, emotional, social, and transition issues. This program is offered on campus or in a fully online format.
The features of our program include:
| Academic credential granted | Advanced Certificate |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 15 to 24 |
| Time to completion | 3 to 4 part-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus or online |
| Careers | Rehabilitation counseling settings include:
|
| Certification | www.crccertification.com |
| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines Fall: April 1, then rolling |
Every student develops an individualized coursework plan with a faculty advisor to meet specific academic eligibility requirements for the CRC exam within Category 3 as set by the CRCC. (Category 3 eligible academic fields include, but are not limited to: behavioral health/science, disability services, human relations/services, marriage and family therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, psychometrics, rehabilitation, social work, special education and vocational assessment/evaluation.)
You may also complete the certificate program for general study of the rehabilitation counseling field without the goal of CRC exam eligibility.
If you previously completed a course in one or more of the required eligibility areas, you may be eligible to streamline the program and only take the courses you need to fill the gaps, according to the CRCC guidelines.
Sample coursework includes:
See additional requirements in the CRC Certification Guide at crccertification.com/get-certified.
The criteria required for CRC exam eligibility include:
NOTE: The national designation of the CRC credential does not qualify as a license to provide mental health counseling services in New York, whereas some other states may use the CRC credential as such. If you are interested in mental health counseling and live in New York, please visit our mental health counseling program information. If you live outside New York State, check with your state licensing board.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions 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 order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload 3 documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
If you are currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition is a safe and convenient option for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns.
We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.
Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu
You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.
