Rehabilitation Counseling | Springfield College

Rehabilitation Counseling

Master of Education
About This Program
Admissions Contact
Curriculum and Delivery
  • 60-credit program
  • Courses offered 100% online or on campus in Springfield, Mass.
  • Students complete 700 total hours of clinical work (100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship)
  • Small class sizes taught from world-class faculty
  • Coursework prepares graduates for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam.  With purposeful electives and internship, graduates may also be eligible to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in many states.
  • Commitment to social justice and a belief in the dignity and worth of all people
  • Students learn how to become advocates and change agents for people with disabilities with the underlying goal of increasing quality of life. 
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Curriculum and Course Sequence
Start Dates and Duration
  • Starts in September (fall semester), January (spring semester), and May (summer semester)
  • Attend full or part time
    • Full time: Enrolled in 9 or more credits
    • Part time: Enrolled in 1 to 6 credits
      • Students need to enroll in at least 6 credits to be eligible for financial aid
  • Full time: Complete in about 2 years
  • Part time: Complete in about 3 years
Paying for Your Education
Career Opportunities
Upcoming Events

Graduate Open House
Tuesday, March 26 at noon or 5:30 p.m.
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Counseling Graduate Programs Information Session (In-Person)
Thursday, April 25 at 6:15 p.m.
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Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School
Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m.
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Counseling Graduate Programs Information Session (Virtual)
Thursday, May 30 at 6:15 p.m.
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Rehabilitation students speaking in a group setting

The MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling at Springfield College is one of the oldest rehabilitation programs in the country. The Springfield College Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program has been ranked No. 19 in the latest 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School rankings. It aims to develop and hone students’ counseling skills through a combination of coursework and professionally supervised clinical experiences. Our graduates have become advocates and change agents who empower people with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives. 

The field of rehabilitation counseling is focused on increasing quality of life for people with disabilities by assisting them in achieving their personal, social, career, and independent living goals through the counseling process. Rehabilitation counselors are employed in a wide range of settings including: state vocational rehabilitation agencies, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, the Department of Veterans Affairs, insurance companies, private practice, and non-profit and other community organizations that support people with congenital and acquired disabilities in reaching their goals.

As noted by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC; 2020), “Rehabilitation counselors are the only professional counselors educated and trained at the graduate level specifically to serve individuals with disabilities. This includes an extensive knowledge of all aspects of disability as well as an in-depth understanding of critical considerations such as assistive technology and employment law. Unlike other counseling professionals, rehabilitation counselors are uniquely qualified to help individuals with disabilities acclimate into the workplace, and to help employers make a workplace more receptive to individuals with disabilities.”

“The faculty were amazing supports for me in my time of transition from my internship to the job application and finally to becoming employed. This included providing me professional references and helping me to feel better prepared for this next step in my professional life.” Samantha Surrette '21, Graduate Class of 2022
Samantha Surrette - Springfield College
Disability Services Coordinator, University of North Texas Dallas

Catherine Varvel, G’21

“The faculty in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Springfield College truly make the difference. The professors and instructors invest in their students and get to know us, our passions, and our goals. The individualized attention and mentorship from faculty helped me hone my professional skill set, develop confidence in my abilities, and pursue my interests. It’s evident the faculty care about the students and their success, both professionally and personally.”

Catherine Varvel

How to Apply:

Admissions Requirements

  1. Complete the FREE online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
  2. Essay: In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College. 
  3. Resume: Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. 
  4. Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
  5. Interview: This program requires an interview.
  6. Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address: 

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:

  • Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
  • Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The staff in the Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available.

International Students:

Fall Start:

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: May 1

Spring Start:

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: October 1

Summer Start:

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: February 1

Costs

Graduate Program Courses Cost per Credit 2022-2023: $1,178 per credit

Approximate Total Cost of Tuition (60 Credits): $70,680

Graduate Student Fee: $396

Tech Fee (Per year): $575 (FT), $178 (PT)

Enrollment Deposit: $300

 

*The graduate student fee (full time) includes the following costs for the academic year.

  • Student Government Fee: $21
  • Community Engagement Fee: $36
  • Recreation Fee: $324
  • Class Dues: $15

** Full time based on 9 or more credit hours full time is charged $64 per semester, $20 per semester for part time

The graduate student fee (part time) is $87.50 per semester.

Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.

  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
    500 Montgomery Street, Suite 350
    Alexandria, VA 22314

Accreditation

Our program is fully accredited by the Council of the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and graduates are eligible to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam. With a few purposeful elective courses, appropriate practicum, internship, and post-master’s supervision requirements fulfilled, rehabilitation counseling graduates may also be eligible to become licensed mental health counselors (LMHC) and licensed professional counselors (LPC) in many states. Students are advised to check with their state’s licensing board to verify that our program meets their state’s requirements for licensure.

Kathleen Green, program director for rehabilitation counseling and Associate Professor of Counseling at Springfield College, provides an overview of Springfield College's Rehabilitation Counseling program.

Rehabilitation Counseling...the Best Kept Secret in the Counseling Field

  • Holistic focus: consider individuals' biological, psychological, and social factors that impact their ability to function in society
  • Goal is to help clients grow through self-advocacy; psychological, social, behavioral, and vocational interventions
  • Serve individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including those with mental, physical, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities
  • One of the highest-paid counseling professionals

Career Options After Graduation

Settings where graduates work:

  • Education
    • High school, higher education, transition services
  • Work and Career
    • State-federal VR, community based rehabilitation, veterans rehabilitation, private sector VR-insurance, disability management, employees assistance, workers compensation
  • Community Living
    • Independent living centers, residential programs, supported housing, recreation, leisure, social participation programs, life-care planning

Settings where graduates work post-graduate work:

  • Community agencies
  • Veterans affairs
  • Schools
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Businesses and corporations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Private for-profit agencies
  • Specialty areas:
    • Transition
    • Expert Witness/Forensic
    • Corrections

Populations graduates may work with: 

  • In the field of rehabilitation counseling, counselors will work with those who have congenital and/or acquired disabilities that include mental, physical, developmental, cognitive, and emotional

Fellowships & Scholarships

Let us help you make your graduate education as affordable as possible.

Student Employment

Work on our campus to earn money while pursuing your graduate degree.

Employee Partnerships

Employees of our partnerships are eligible to receive a $5,000 or $10,000 partner grant.
Kelsey Poole, CRC, G'15

Imagine where your master's degree could take you. Now listen to Kelsey's story. Hear how her experience with the graduate programs at Springfield College helps her now embody the Humanics philosophy of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.