Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Information
Prepare for the CRC Certification and Transform Lives
Equip yourself for a rewarding career helping persons with physical, sensory, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. The Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling at Western Washington University empowers competent counselors who are attentive to the dynamic and holistic needs of their clients. This degree prepares you to obtain Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials and work in a variety of private and public sector settings.
Program Features
- Top 20 Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs (U.S. News & World Report)
- Convenient hybrid learning blends online courses with in-person classes
- No GRE required for admission
- Internship and practicum built into the curriculum
- CACREP Accredited
What Will You Learn?
Western’s master’s in rehabilitation counseling prepares you to partner with individuals with disabilities as a dedicated and qualified rehabilitation counselor. Engage in courses, practicum experience, and internships that cover theory, techniques, case management, professional issues, multicultural practice, career development, and more. This robust training will enable you to enhance your clients’ lives by working with them toward self-determination, independence, meaningful employment, and full community participation.
Why WWU’s Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Degree?
Top-Ranked Accredited Rehabilitation Counseling Program
Commit to a top-ranked, high-quality program to enhance your career prospects and assemble a powerful professional toolbox as you prepare for CRC certification. WWU’s rehabilitation counseling master’s degree program is ranked #19 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).
Online and On-Campus Hybrid Learning
The master’s in rehabilitation counseling program is designed to work alongside your professional and personal commitments. This 90-credit program can be completed in 2 years (including two summers) or eight quarters. You may also opt for greater scheduling flexibility with a 3- or 4-year plan.
Our program uses a combination of in-person, asynchronous online, and hybrid courses, and you must take courses in each of these modalities while in the program.
In-person classes meet one evening per week from 5 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. at the Everett University Center.
Hybrid classes meet in person 2-5 times per quarter at the Everett University Center. The remaining weeks are either synchronous (Zoom) and/or asynchronous online classes. Hybrid courses meet in the evening from 5 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. and on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gain Counseling Experience through Internships
To prepare for your professional practice, you’ll complete 16 credit hours of internships in rehabilitation counseling. You’ll find roles with local and partner rehabilitation agencies through networking opportunities, faculty recommendations, and Western’s Career Services Center.
Program Curriculum and Courses
Establish skills, competencies, and experience necessary to achieve Certified Rehabilitation Counselor status. The MA in rehabilitation counseling program involves 70 credits of rigorous core theory, including aspects like addictions and rehabilitation counseling, group counseling techniques, medical aspects of disability, and psychiatric disabilities in rehabilitation. You’ll also complete 20 credits of hands-on practicum and internship placements—opportunities that build your comfort and confidence in clinical settings.
Rehabilitation Counseling Career Outlook
A master’s in rehabilitation counseling prepares you for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor recognition. As a rehabilitation counselor, you will provide assessments of abilities and functional limitations, develop plans consistent with individual clients’ needs, and partner with clients in achieving their goals. Together, you and your clients will explore a variety of paths toward success, including individual and group counseling, vocational training and education, and job development and placement.
Rehabilitation counseling is a dynamic, rewarding, and growing field: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth in demand for rehabilitation counselors over the next decade, a rate much higher than the average across all occupations.
You will encounter employment opportunities in both public and private sectors, including state and federal rehabilitation agencies, nonprofit agencies, veterans’ programs, workers’ compensation agencies, hospitals, and universities. Our graduates are working at places like the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Department of Services for the Blind, VA hospitals, and more.
Application Requirements (No GRE Required)
To apply, complete the Graduate School application, upload an unofficial transcript from each institution you’ve attended, and pay the $100 application fee. The application also requires:
- Three (3) Letters of Reference. References should be from individuals who can attest to either your professional experiences (preferably at least one from a direct supervisor; can include internship/volunteer positions) or academic strength (preferably a university professor). References should not be from family members or close personal friends.
- Resume
- Expectations for Academic and Professional Performance
- Statement of Purpose: a succinct statement (two to three pages) that provides an accurate indication of writing and grammatical skills.
- As you begin to write your Statement of Purpose, please take time to review the WWU MA in Rehabilitation Counseling Mission and Objectives, the Rehabilitation Counseling Scope of Practice, and the Preamble of the Code of Professional Ethics for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (pages 1-3) and reflect upon your interest in and match with our program and the rehabilitation counseling profession. Use this reflection and write your statement to address the following:
- Your reason(s) for choosing/applying the MA in Rehabilitation Counseling program
- Professional and personal strengths related to counseling, defined as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals
- Relevant experiences in life, work, and/or schooling related to rehabilitation counseling
- Your goals and interests that demonstrate and illustrate your personal value system as it relates to equity, social justice, and/or access
- Your career objectives
- You can also include any additional information or insights that you consider relevant to your application.
If you earned your bachelor’s degree outside the US or Canada, review our English Language Proficiency, Transcripts, and Credential Evaluation.
Apply by April 1 for priority consideration, or June 1 for the extended deadline.
Learn more about graduate admissions at WWU.
Tuition and Cost
Western offers several programs and opportunities that can help you pay for graduate school, including paid teaching and research assistantships, federal student loans, scholarships, and grant funding available to some second-year students.
Learn more about WWU's cost of attendance.
Become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a Master’s Degree at WWU!
Broaden your opportunities to contribute to others’ growth in Western’s Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program. You have the flexibility to earn your degree full-time or part-time, in-person, hybrid, and online. With a robust curriculum and real-world experience, you are well-equipped to earn CRC certification and thrive in your career.
Request information to learn more about the rehabilitation counseling master’s degree program. Ready to take the first step? Apply now!
Testimonials
An Opportunity to Thrive Together
Sydney McPhearson completed a practicum and internship at Seattle’s Neurological Vocational Services, which provides job matching and support to individuals with neurological conditions. After graduation, she became a rehabilitation counselor there. The cohort structure in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program provided a sense of mentorship among the students, she said. “The faculty did a great job of creating space and opportunity for us to grow and thrive together."