St. Cloud State University

Graduate Programs-Rehabilitation Counseling

Professional and student organizations

Involvement in professional and student organizations is strongly encouraged. Membership in professional organizations can keep students informed of opportunities for practical learning and of new developments in the counseling field. Students may also benefit from meeting counseling professionals through organizations. There are many organizations that are either specific to certain emphases, or general to all the counseling emphases. The list below contains only a few examples of organizations to choose from. Advisers may be contacted for more information.

Organizations for students pursuing rehabilitation counseling include:
Minnesota Rehabilitation Association
National Rehabilitation Association
American Rehabilitation Counselors Association
Chi Sigma Iota

Pre-practicum core courses

All counseling emphases include a common core of course work prerequisite to the supervised counseling practicum experience. Part-time students should complete these courses early in their program.

CEEP 651, Counseling Theories, 3 Cr.
CEEP 665, Measurement Techniques, 3 Cr.
CEEP 667, Career Development, 3 Cr.
CEEP 668, Counseling Procedures, 3 Cr.

Supervised counseling practicum

This four-credit experience follows the pre-practicum core courses and will provide for the application of theories and techniques to counseling experience. All full-time students are automatically placed in a counseling practicum. However, each part-time student must apply in writing to the coordinator of rehabilitation counseling for placement in a counseling practicum at a minimum of seven months before beginning practicum. Most part-time students apply 1-1 1/2 years in advance. Late applicants might not be admitted. This may result in delayed internship and graduation.

Supervised counseling internship

This experience will provide practical agency experience in a work setting. Students should determine and investigate at least three possible internship sites in the Rehabilitation Counseling field. In general, the sites should a) give interns an opportunity to do counseling, b) have someone with at least a masters degree to supervise interns, and c) be within a 60-mile radius of St. Cloud . If possible, the on-site internship supervisor should be a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Students should plan to do internships at some time between August and May. The selected sites must have final approval of the counseling faculty. A list of approved sites can be obtained from the rehabilitation counseling coordinator. Any student who takes internship beyond the required six credits may only count three credits of internship toward required electives. All students will complete a minimum of 600 hours of interning. A typical internship would be for 20 hours per week over two semesters, for three credits per semester. Rehabilitation students must have CRC supervision from either the on-site supervisor or the University supervisor.

Both full-time and part-time, students must complete the following application requirements prior to the deadline (which is to be determined) for all internships to be conducted during the succeeding academic year. Requirements include:

1. Attend internship orientation meeting scheduled for early Spring semester.
2. Complete Internship Application form (see the department secretary, A-253 Education Building, phone number 308-3131)
3. Complete one copy of Proposed Program of Graduate Study (blue forms) and have them signed by your adviser and Graduate Dean.
4. Submit a resume with application.
5. Attach a list of learning objectives that may be translated into a formal contract at the beginning of internship.
6. All of the above materials are to be submitted to the coordinator of the internship program.

Each student will be assigned to a faculty member during Spring Semester who will help you set up internships. This faculty member may or may not be that student's internship supervisor. Internship placements will be determined during Spring Semester.