Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health: Concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling

This program is modeled on a national standard for Mental Health Counseling licensure, making one eligible for licensure in many states. It is recommended that students explore the specific requirements for a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state where they intend to practice. Students interested in pursuing state licensing as a professional counselor may have the option to continue graduate studies for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) with 12 additional credits (60 credits total). Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for licensing and whether the state in which they are interested in receiving licensing will recognize rehabilitation counseling for licensing. Licensing laws vary across states; therefore, specific requirements also may be different.

As noted above, the CAGS requires an additional 12 credits beyond the 48-credit master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Six of these credits are through two Advanced Internship Seminars totaling 1,000 hours internship. Two other courses comprise the additional credits: RHB605: Counseling and Rehabilitation in Mental Health and RHB603: Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals.

Following completion of the 60 credit hours for the master’s degree and CAGS, a person must complete a minimum of two years experience including 2,000 hours of direct client contact offering clinical or counseling therapy services with emphasis on mental health counseling and receive a minimum of 100 hours of clinical supervision, spread over the two-year period, by an approved supervisor, before being eligible to sit for many state licensing exams.

Practicum Requirements (12 credits)
Practical elements are included in most courses, as part of the philosophy that emphasizes personal involvement and learning by doing.  This segment of the program places particular emphasis on acquiring one-to-one counseling skills.  Skills are built in the classroom using role plays, video taping and feedback.  These skills are then applied in the practicum setting, with supervision. Emphasis is placed on ethical practice.

RHB520: Practicum I: Rehabilitation Counseling (3 credits)
RHB521: Practicum II: Rehabilitation Counseling (3 credits)
RHB570: Rehabilitation Counseling Internship and Seminar (6 credits)

Internship requirements: minimum one calendar year of supervised internship consisting of 20 hours per week, or its equivalent, with an emphasis on mental health counseling and supervised by the University department.

Internship is the culmination of the counselor training program.  An internship focused in mental health is combined with a weekly seminar, and 2 hours per week of supervision.

RHB608: Advanced Internship and Seminar in Mental Health I (500 hours)
RHB609: Advanced Internship and Seminar in Mental Health II (500 hours)

Area 1:  Helping Relationships and Counseling Theory (9 credits minimum)
These courses provide an overview of counseling and consultation theories including both individual and systems perspective. The purpose of this area’s required courses is to present an overview of the basic concepts of the counseling program. The notion of ethical practice is embedded in all four courses. The application of these theories to the area of substance abuse and mental health are then explored.

RHB510: Counseling and Personality Theory
RHB513: Systems Theory and Family Therapy
RHB527: Substance Abuse Counseling and Rehabilitation
RHB605: Psychiatric Disability Counseling and Rehabilitation

Area II:  Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
Consistent with the program’s philosophy this section considers the broad concept of human growth and development as a universal theme across the lifespan.  Theories of individual and family development and theories of learning and personality are studied in relationship to making therapeutic interventions. 

RHB508: Developmental Issues in Counseling

Area III: Social and Cultural Foundations (3 credits)
This area is concerned with multicultural and pluralistic characteristics that impact attitudes and behaviors, with a focus on disability and including dimensions such as gender, cultural and ethnic background, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious practices and family patterns. Ethical issues are explored.

RHB523: Cultural and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability

Area IV: Groups (6 credits)
This area is concerned with the principles of group dynamics including developmental stage theories, group member roles and behaviors and group leadership styles. Approaches for different types of groups are explored.  Students are required to apply the theory and skills learned and examine, evaluate and reflect on their practice. Ethical issues are explored.

RHB532: Psychology of Group Process
RHB689: Applied Group Therapy

Area V: Lifestyle and Career Development (3 credits)
This area explores the major career development theories, models, planning and evaluation and discusses the implications of these theories as they apply to people with disabilities, taking into account the issues of gender and culture. Ethical issues are discussed. 

RHB535: Career Development: Work and Disability Issues

Area VI: Appraisal (3 credits)
This area explores the theoretical and historical bases for assessment with emphasis on understanding the components of validity and reliability. Specific evaluative tools including intelligence, ability, achievement, interests, attitudinal, and personality instruments along with situational assessment and observation procedures are discussed with an emphasis on interpretation. The fundamental components of psychometrics are reviewed. Cultural, social and ethical factors are explored.

RHB542: Evaluation and Assessment

Area VII: Research and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
This area is concerned with providing an overview of the different types of research methods, qualitative and quantitative design, basic statistics, technological applications to assist research and the use of these concepts for needs assessment and program evaluation. Ethical issues are explored.

RHB500: Research Methods

Area VIII: Professional Orientation (3 credits)
This area is concerned with developing an understanding of the history of the helping professions, the legislative frameworks, professional roles and functions, professional organizations, licensure and certification requirements. An in-depth exploration of ethical principles and the need for advocacy for both the profession and the clientele is discussed.

RHB505: Foundations for Rehabilitation Counseling: History, Principles, Laws and Ethics.