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MISSION STATEMENT
The
mission of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program is to establish a CORE accredited
Rehabilitation Program which increases the number of
qualified rehabilitation counselors from Hispanic,
bilingual and bicultural backgrounds dedicated to
improving the quality-of-life and vocational self-sufficiency
of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Emphasis is directed toward recruiting and
addressing the needs of traditionally
underrepresented student and client populations to
meet the needs of the rehabilitation community in
Puerto Rico and the U.S.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
1. To
provide a well-balanced program of academic
coursework and supervised clinical field experience
necessary to develop the attitudes, knowledge,
values, and skills required of effective and ethical
professional Rehabilitation Counselors.
2. To
provide highly qualified licensed, certified and
bilingual Counselors to the Vocational
Rehabilitation System and community-based agencies, especially
in the southern and western regions of Puerto Rico and in the United States.
3. To
provide continuing education and development
opportunities for practicing Rehabilitation
Professionals in Puerto Rico.
4. To
develop highly professional Rehabilitation
Counselors who integrate their knowledge of the
discipline with a high degree of personal integrity
and commitment to promoting the dignity, equality
and societal inclusion of individuals with
disabilities.
5. To
foster the scientific research of topics related to
disabilities and rehabilitation services, with
special emphasis on Puerto Rican and Hispanic
Populations.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
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A bachelor's
degree from a recognized university.
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Minimum GPA
of 2.75.
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400 points on the EXADEP graduate admissions standardized test.
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Three letters
of recommendation, including one from a professor.
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Successful completion of an interview with the Committee of Admissions
of the program.
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To have
completed the following pre-requisites at baccalaureate level:
A.
Social Research
B. Statistics
(3 credits)
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To
demonstrate basic knowledge (literacy) of computers.
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NOTE: The committee of admissions will
be able to grant the applicants who do not fulfill all the
pre-requisites, a provisional admission. Under this category, the
students will be able to combine up to six (6) credits of Masters
and later fulfill the requirements. |
SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS
Our program is currently 100% financed by a
1.1 million dollar grant awarded from the Department of Education of the
United States, Office of Special Education, Rehabilitation Services
Administration. The program provides student scholarships and
stipends to applicants showing greater academic promise.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
According to the National Council
for Rehabilitation Education (NCRE, 2004)…the
annual turnover rate of rehabilitation professionals in
State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation agencies approximates 16%.
This is further complicated by the expectation that these agencies’
retirement rates for counselors over the next five years are
anticipated in most cases, to exceed 50%.
In Puerto Rico, the situation is similar. As a result, the
possibilities of employment that exist for graduates with a Master's
Degree in this discipline are outstanding, particularly for
qualified bilingual counselors.
POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS
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The
Administration of Vocational Rehabilitation of Puerto Rico
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State-Federal
Vocational Rehabilitation agencies in PR and the USA
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The Veteran's Administration
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People with
Disabilities Advocate's Office.
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Community-Based
Rehabilitation Programs
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Centers
for Independent Living
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Private Rehabilitation Agencies.
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Insurance
Companies.
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Hospitals
and Mental Health Agencies
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College and
University Campuses.
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