M.S. in Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) 
This program is designed to provide students with the basic competencies to provide rehabilitation counseling to a broad range of individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings, such as state vocational rehabilitation facilities, independent living centers, rehabilitation hospitals, employment assistance programs, private industry, the veteran's administration, and private-for-profit rehabilitation companies. Students complete practicum and internship experiences in community agencies that promote equity and empowerment of people with disabilities.
The program uses class and community experiences and exposure to varied, experiential and field-based learning to teach students the basic philosophic tenets of rehabilitation, including:
- The value, worth, dignity, and capabilities of all people.
- The right of all people to full societal participation with individuals in settings of their choice.
- The importance of treating persons with disabilities as equal partners in the rehabilitation process.
- The idea that societal, community and professional change is as important as individual change.
- The importance of hope, individual capacity, community inclusion, support and education.
- The Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors.
The rehabilitation counseling specialty holds accreditation from the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Upon completion of their degree, students are eligible to take a national exam that qualifies them as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). Students are also eligible for state certification as Mental Health Rehabilitation Technicians (MHRT/Community). And, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Counseling Examination (NCE) and prepare to be liensed as a professional counselor (LPC) in Maine.
Distance Learning Option: In addition to the campus-based program at Gorham, this program is offered completely through distance learning technologies, enabling students from around the state to enroll. For more information about this option, please contact Steve Murphy at (207) 780-5316 or (800) 800-4USM.
Suggested courses to begin with are HCE 605, HCE 610, HCE 620 and HRD 668.
Program Requirements (54 credits)
Core Courses (24 credits)
EDU 600 Research Methods and Techniques
HCE 605 Psychological Measurement and Evaluation
HCE 620 Fundamentals of Counseling Theories
HCE 621 Fundamentals of Counseling Skills
HCE 626 Group Process and Procedures
HCE 627 Group Counseling
HRD 668 Human Development
HCE 690 Individual Counseling Practicum Seminar
HCE 691 Individual Counseling Practicum Laboratory
Required Specialty Courses (24 credits)
HCE 610 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling & Services
HCE 611 Medical & Psychological Aspects of Disability & Rehabilitation
HCE 612 Disability and Family in a Multicultural Society
HCE 614 Principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
HCE 615 Vocational Counseling and Placement in Rehabilitation
HCE 619 Myth, Madness and Mental Illness
HCE 686 Internship in Counselor Education (6 credits = 600 clock hours)
Electives (3 credits)
Note: With additional coursework, rehabilitation counseling students may be eligible to become Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCPC) in Maine.
