REHABILITATION SERVICES BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Undergraduate Program Description & History

The Rehabilitation Services undergraduate program was established at Florida State University in 1974. The program began with a concentrated focus on the vocational rehabilitation of adults with developmental and physical disabilities. It has evolved over time to reflect the expanded breadth of rehabilitation, and a number of innovative curriculum changes were proposed and approved in 1996. This revised professional growth and development program addresses the growing need for entry-level, direct-service providers who can pursue careers in a wide variety of local, state, and federal human service agencies. In addition, the undergraduate rehabilitation service program complements Master and Doctoral degree programs, and is a preparation program for graduate studies.

Rehabilitation Services Major Competencies

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Therapeutic facilitation skills that communicate caring, compassion, and understanding in individual, relationship, and group counseling.
Conduct a psychosocial assessment as well as an appraisal of the natural environment and social support systems in which individuals function.
Participate in the diagnosis of an individual's condition and circumstances.
Design, plan, and conduct a treatment intervention based on a diagnosis, and manage the treatment plan from inception through follow-up.
Assist clients in career problem solving, decision-making, and job placement.
Collaborate with employers in developing job placements that maximize an individual's potential, and demonstrate understanding of employers' needs and of reasonable accommodation.
Intervene effectively in client crisis situations.
Use the capabilities of modern technology to manage client treatments and to administer human service programs.
Serve as advocates for individuals seeking to gain access to work environments, service providers, and leisure opportunities; encourage clients to be self-advocates.
Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in human development through the life span.
Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in psychosocial, physical, and medical aspects of personal adjustment.
Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in community services that provide education, recreation, training, care, and support. Also, demonstrate understanding of major service organizations, funding sources, legislation, and policy initiatives.
Demonstrate appropriate self-awareness, including self-attributes, strengths, preferences, and limitations.

The Bachelor's Curriculum

The Bachelor's degree curriculum in Rehabilitation Services is a 60-credit-hour program. The program consists of two kinds of required coursework:

Rehabilitation Major Courses	40 credits
Required Elective Courses	20 credits
	60 credits total

The Bachelor's curriculum consists of nine required courses, 40 credits total. These courses help students understand the field of rehabilitation and human services gain self-awareness, acquire knowledge and gain skills that can be applied with clients in an array of service delivery settings.
All Rehabilitation courses have an applied focus. The required elective courses consist of at least one course in each of seven knowledge domains that are relevant to rehabilitation. The seven required knowledge domains are:

assessment
self-management for wellness
human growth and development
social systems and disciplines
abnormal behavior
organizational life
family systems

Students have a wide variety of course choices within each area. This approach assures that students have a breadth of knowledge in courses that are relevant to the Rehabilitation major. Students gain experience through a 120-hour community volunteer field placement. In addition, the semester long rehabilitation internship (15 credits) helps students gain mastery in all 14 rehabilitation competencies

Core Rehabilitation Courses

Following are short explanations of the nine core Rehabilitation courses. These are different courses, but they reflect a common philosophy and goals. All courses are applied, pre-professional growth and development experiences, aimed to prepare helpers to assist individuals with disabilities and special needs.

MHS 4001 The Human Services Profession (3):
Exploration of the nature of human service work; past, present, and future issues in human service work; human service professions; systems approaches, personal, career, and family development; delivery of human services, and program development and evaluation.

RCS 4081 Medical Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness (3):
Introduction to the structure of medicine in the United States; survey of medical specialties and terminology; survey of body systems; common malfunctions; therapeutic services; and restorative techniques.

RCS 4109 Helping Strategies and Case Management (4):
Training in basic interviewing techniques and case management skills. Includes case recording, ecological assessment, individual treatment planning, crisis intervention, referral, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Requires 45 hours of appropriate community service at an approved site.

RCS 4300 Vocational Aspects of Rehabilitation (3):
Theories, methods, and practices of career development, utilizing occupational information and labor market trends; understanding various occupations, job analyses, and job modifications.

RCS 4240 Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation (3):
Social and psychological factors related to adjustment or adaptation to a disability and to the provision of rehabilitation services.

RCS 4060 Psychosocial Aspects of Diversity (3):
Examines the psychological and social factors related to adjustment and diverse populations, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and older adults. Students are required to complete 45 hours of community service at approved sites.

RCS 4840 Individualized Field Experience (3):
Supervised clinical practice in a rehabilitation agency or community service organization

RCS 4820 Internship in Human Services (15):
Students work in a human service agency of their choice, providing services to clients. The internship allows students to integrate theory, knowledge, and methods from all course work and demonstrate all program competencies. Interns gain first-hand experience under the supervision and guidance of field-based professionals, while also participating in group supervision.

SDS 4481 Communications and Human Relations (3):
Relevant dimensions of the helping relationship and the development of effective communication skills. Preparation and practice in communication, teamwork, and conflict management.

Admission

Both full- and part-time students are admitted. Students may be admitted during any semester, but Fall admission is highly recommended. Applicants must meet four requirements for admission: (1) good standing in the University; (2) two years of basic studies work, as outlined in The Florida State University Bulletin or an Associate in Arts degree; (3) a minimum GPA of 2.00; and (4) satisfactory completion of interviews with the undergraduate advisor and faculty coordinator of the Rehabilitation Services Program.

For more information about Rehabilitation Counseling Service BS Degree, please contact:
Dr. Jane Burkhead
Phone: (850) 644-3854
E-mail: jburkhea@garnet.acns.fsu.edu