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Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, MS: Career Outlook

Find your place in a rewarding, growing career field.

Graduates are prepared to work in mental and behavioral health counseling settings, with the added specialization in rehabilitation opening doors to a wide range of additional career opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that employment for mental and behavioral health and rehabilitation counselors will continue to increase over the next decade at a steady rate.1 The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling master's program will prepare you for a career in a variety of settings. You'll develop the specialized knowledge, skills and values that will enable you to effectively assist and support individuals with disabilities throughout the the counseling and rehabilitation process. 

  • Median annual wage for rehabilitation counselors was $46,110 in 2024.1
  • Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034.1
  • Each year, there are 8,000 openings for rehabilitation counselors with many of those openings resulting from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.1
This program prepares students for entry into or advancement in counseling positions mental/behavioral health, public and private rehabilitation agencies, organizations and systems. You'll develop the academic competencies of the profession and refine them through supervised practical experience.

Rehabilitation Counselor:

$46,110/year


Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently. They work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living. Some work with students to develop strategies to live with their disability and transition from school to work. Others help veterans cope with the mental or physical effects of their military service. Still others help elderly people adapt to disabilities developed later in life from illness or injury.1

Behavioral Health Counselor:

$59,190/year

 
Behavioral disorder, substance abuse and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as depression or alcoholism and other addictions. They provide support to help clients recover from addiction, modify problem behaviors or improve mental health.2

Additional roles for our clinical rehabilitation counseling graduates include:

  • Mental/behavioral health counselor
  • Independent living specialist
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • College/university disability services coordinator
  • Vocational rehabilitation counselor
  • Veterans administration (VR&E Counselor)
  • Insurance company vocational rehabilitation consultant
  • Forensic vocational expert
  • Disability claims specialist
  • Disability analyst
  • Mental health counselor (private practice)
  • Life-Care planning counselor

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Program Outcomes: Hone Skills to Advance Your Practice

After you’ve completed the program, you will:
Possess extensive knowledge of rehabilitation and counseling concepts and practices
Have the counseling skills necessary to work in various mental behavioral health and rehabilitation settings
Understand mind/body connection with regard to quality of life outcomes
Prepare for certification as a rehabilitation counselor, national certified counselor and licensure as a professional counselor in most states

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