Online M.S. in Counselor Education - Rehabilitation Counseling

Program Highlights

With the increasing demands for rehabilitation counselors to work with and improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and their families, this online RC program trains and equips working professionals and students from within and outside Mississippi with the requisite skills, knowledge, and qualities required to become highly qualified, ethically and culturally responsive rehabilitation professionals working in the field of human services.

In-State Tuition for All: Students both in and out of state only pay In-State tuition rates.
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, making them accessible from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.
Practical Experience: Gain hands-on experience working with individuals with disabilities through practicum and internship placements across varied professional environments.

Respected Degree from an Accredited University: Earn your degree from Mississippi State University, a nationally recognized research institution and leader in online education.
Flexible Schedule: Courses are delivered asynchronously to accommodate work and life schedules.

Career Opportunities

The Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares graduates for employment in a variety of settings such as:

State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies
Nonprofit rehabilitation programs
High schools and college settings
Independent living centers
Medical rehabilitation centers

Substance abuse treatment programs
Mental health agencies
Corrections facilities
Veteran’s Affairs, or private industry

Course Requirements

To graduate with a Master of Science in Counseling degree with a concentration in rehabilitation counseling students must:

Complete a minimum of 60 hours
- 39 core counseling, practicum, and internship hours
- 6 elective course hours
- 15 rehabilitation counseling concentration hours
Students must pass a comprehensive master’s examination
- Graduate students must have a graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher to be eligible to take the comprehensive examination and to be awarded any graduate degree.
- No exceptions to this policy are granted by the Office of Graduate Studies.

A standard rubric, the Comprehensive Disposition Review Form, is designed to assess students’ performance in these courses.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

What Our People Say

"Being a part of MS State Online has been quite an opportunity. I have made more friends than I first thought with this being an all-online class, and the ease of doing my classes from home has been a lifesaver for scheduling my social and vocational life."

Grady Weston Hammett Cobb,

Admissions – Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online degree? Follow the steps below to apply for the Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling at Mississippi State University.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English language proficiency test score. Mississippi State University accepts scores from the TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Prospective students should consult the appropriate testing organization for information about test registration and administration.

The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English language test score requirements and additional information regarding English language proficiency.

Academic Advising

Advising is an essential part of your success in the Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling program. Whether you're just getting started or preparing to graduate, your dedicated academic advisor is here to guide you every step of the way.

Dr. Zacchues J. Ahonle

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

Coordinator/Primary Advisor

zja34@msstate.edu

Meet Your Academic Advisor

Dr. Zacchues J. Ahonle provides personalized advising for all students in the M.S. in Counselor Education - Rehabilitation Counseling program. From choosing the right courses to planning your path to graduation, he’s here to support you throughout your academic journey.

Connect With Your Advisor

After you're admitted, connect with your advisor to plan your courses and stay on track. Your advisor can also help when you're considering changes to your schedule or program of study.

Stay Connected Through Your MSU Email

Your MSU email is your source for official university communications, including important updates and deadlines. Click here to view instructions for setting up your MSU email.

Follow Your Program of Study

Your program of study outlines the courses needed for your degree. Connect with your advisor before making changes to ensure your courses align with your degree requirements.

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Assistance with Admissions Process

General Program Questions

s.clardy@msstate.edu

662-325-9092

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Dr. Daniel Gadke

Department Head

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

dgadke@colled.msstate.edu

Dr. Zacchues J. Ahonle

Coordinator/Primary Advisor

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

zja34@msstate.edu

Dr. Marcus Weathers, Jr.

Assistant Professor

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

mw2935@msstate.edu

Dr. Madeline Castle

Assistant Professor

Counseling, Educational Psychology & Foundations

mbc271@msstate.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Rehabilitation Counseling Core and Specialty Area Objectives?

Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of counselor professional roles, responsibilities, and ethical and legal practices.
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply counseling practices and skills effectively across various client populations, settings, and concerns.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of factors that affect human development and abilities across the lifespan.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of career development theories, models, and assessment, as well as technology resources and tools.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills to counsel clients from various backgrounds.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of group work across varied counseling settings.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of evidence-based assessments in counseling.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of evidence-based counseling research used to inform counseling practices and interventions.
Students will apply counseling practices that support professional growth and development as part of their professional counseling identity.

Specialty Area Objectives

Students will demonstrate skills in applying evidence-based strategies to facilitate the adjustment and adaptation to disability and knowledge in utilizing career development and employment models to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving and sustaining competitive employment opportunities in integrated settings.

Who should pursue this degree?

Do you have a passion to:

Help people with physical, mental, cognitive, or emotional disabilities maximize their potential and make life changes toward increasing their capacity to live independently?
Assist people with disabilities evaluate their interests and talents, to develop realistic career goals. and find appropriate job placement opportunities that leads to job satisfaction and good quality of life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this program is for you!

As a rehabilitation counselor, your specialized knowledge and skills of disabilities and the impact of environmental factors differentiate you from other type of counselors To know more about the unique functions of certified rehabilitation counselors and what they do, check out: The Unique Function and Value of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor for People With Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (archives-pmr.org).

Is Mississippi State Online accredited?

Mississippi State Online programs are offered by Mississippi State University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Individual programs may also hold specialized accreditation. Learn more on the Mississippi State University accreditation page.

Will my Mississippi State University diploma say "online"?

No. When you earn a degree through Mississippi State Online, your diploma identifies Mississippi State University and does not indicate that you studied online. Online programs meet the same university standards for academic quality and rigor as on-campus programs.

How much does Mississippi State cost?

Mississippi State helps make your education more affordable by offering the applicable in-state tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live. Tuition and required fees are charged per credit hour, and your total cost depends on your program, credit hours, and applicable fees. Textbooks and course materials are additional expenses, and rates are subject to change.

Do out-of-state students pay in-state tuition at Mississippi State Online?

Yes. Mississippi State Online students pay the applicable in-state tuition rate whether they live in Mississippi or elsewhere. You do not need to be a Mississippi resident to receive this rate for your online program. Required fees and other course expenses still apply.

Can Mississippi State Online students receive financial aid or scholarships?

Eligible online students may receive financial aid, and scholarship opportunities are available. Eligibility and award amounts vary; funding is not guaranteed for every student or program. Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal student aid, and review scholarship requirements and deadlines.

How do I apply to Mississippi State Online?

Start with the Apply Now page and choose the application that matches your undergraduate or graduate program and applicant status. Select "Online Education" as your campus. Review your program's admission requirements and deadlines, then submit the application, required documents, and any applicable application fee. Requirements vary by program and may differ for new, transfer, returning, and international students.

Do Mississippi State Online programs require campus visits or in-person experiences?

Requirements depend on the program and concentration. Some programs can be completed entirely online, while others include internships, field experiences, or coursework that requires in-person participation. Review your program's curriculum and contact its program representative before applying to confirm attendance requirements. Explore programs and their requirements in the Academic Programs directory.

Can I transfer previous college credits to a Mississippi State Online program?

Transfer-credit policies vary by degree level and program. Some programs consider eligible coursework from other institutions, while others do not accept prior credit toward program requirements. Review your program's transfer-credit policy and contact its academic advisor or program coordinator before planning your coursework.

What support is available to Mississippi State Online students?

Mississippi State Online students have access to academic advising, library resources, writing support, technical assistance, and career services. Program coordinators and advisors can help you navigate your studies and connect with university resources.

Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling

Tuition & Fees

Apply Now!

myState

Class Schedule

Request Info

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling