How To Become a Rehabilitation Counselor

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Rehabilitation Counselors

Rehabilitation Counselors counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

Salary
$42080
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



What degree do you need

Recommended degree level

Master’s Degree

We did a survey to ask other Rehabilitation Counselors what degree they had when they became a Rehabilitation Counselor. Here are the results.
Master’s Degree
49.25%


Bachelor’s Degree
26.26%


High School Diploma
13.84%


One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Rehabilitation Counselors or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Rehabilitation Counselors what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
Rehabilitation Science

Most employers require a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. A bachelor’s degree in most fields is acceptable to enter a master’s-level program. Some Rehabilitation Counselors positions require certification or a license. Although some employers hire workers with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies, these workers typically cannot offer the full range of services that a rehabilitation counselor with a master’s degree can provide.



How hard is it

Difficulty
Very Hard

You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge and experience to be a Rehabilitation Counselor. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, a surgeon must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Careers in this difficulty category may need some on-the-job-training, but most of these careers assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, and work-related experience and training. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, neurologists, and veterinarians.


Related work experience required
1 to 2 years

1 to 2 years
34.92%


6 months to 1 year
27.33%


2 to 4 years
15.68%


Job training
1 to 3 months

1 to 3 months
43.51%


6 months to 1 year
25.27%


3 to 6 months
17.85%



License and certifications

Do you need any license or certification
Requirements vary by job tasks

Licensing requirements for rehabilitation counselors differ by state and by type of services provided. Those providing counseling services to clients and patients must attain a license through their state licensing board. Other services provided by rehabilitation counselors, however, may be exempt from state licensing requirements. Rehabilitation counselors providing only vocational rehabilitation services or job placement assistance, for example, may not need a license. Licensure requires a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-recognized exam and complete annual continuing education credits. Applicants should contact the state licensing boards for information on what services or counseling positions require licensure.


Skills required

We asked other Rehabilitation Counselors if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. Active Listening what does this mean
2. Social Perceptiveness what does this mean
3. Speaking what does this mean
4. Monitoring what does this mean
5. Critical Thinking what does this mean

= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for


Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Rehabilitation Counselors are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. Therapy and Counseling what does this mean
2. Customer and Personal Service what does this mean
3. Psychology what does this mean
4. Education and Training what does this mean
5. English Language what does this mean


Learn more about Rehabilitation Counselors

Summary
Job Description
Salary
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Quiz

Related to Rehabilitation Counselors Requirements

Rehabilitation Counselors requirements, how to become Rehabilitation Counselors, degree required to be a Rehabilitation Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselors license and certifications, majors to be a Rehabilitation Counselor, is it hard to become a Rehabilitation Counselor and how long does it take


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