Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
Achieve your CACREP Accredited MS at Rutgers
Are you interested in earning a masters in mental health counseling? As a student in our program, you’ll gain the specialized knowledge, skills, and ability to counsel people with psychiatric, developmental, sensory, or physical disabilities. Our program’s cognitive behavioral counseling approach focuses on helping clients develop strategies and skills to change problematic behaviors, cope better with difficult situations, manage their disability, and plan for the future.
Our 60-credit degree is designed to advance the career of experienced people already working in the human services field, as well as prepare people to enter the field.
Students have the flexibility to pursue a degree full-time or part-time. Students may take the degree on campus or online.
Definition of professions:
Mental Health Counselors help people manage or overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with relationships. Examples of what mental health counselors do include encouraging clients to discuss their experiences and process reactions to them in order to adjust to changes in life, guiding clients through the process of making decisions about their future, counseling clients about developing strategies and skills to change their behavior or cope with difficult situations, and coordinating services with other professionals such as psychiatrists. While some disorders can be overcome, many others need to be managed. Mental health counselors work with clients to develop strategies and skills to minimize the effects of their disorders or illnesses including developing and implementing strategies to encourage wellness.
A Rehabilitation Counselor is a counselor who has the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to collaborate in a professional counseling relationship with people who have disabilities, whether psychiatric, developmental, physical or sensory, to achieve their personal, psychological, social, and career goals.
- Among the top-ranked master’s degree rehabilitation counseling programs regionally and nationally.
- Comprehensive curriculum includes theory, research, ethical practices and decision-making, development of interpersonal and counseling skills and supervised clinical experience in counseling.
- High demand and robust market for graduates in this field in New Jersey and the surrounding region, as well as nationally.
- Options to take your courses at the Rutgers campus in Piscataway, or the Rutgers campus in Camden, or online.
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the area of Clinical Mental Health Counseling through March 31, 2025.
- Study at a university ranked #1 out of 582 schools by College Factual as a best college for health professions.
- In the 2022-2023 academic year, 50% of students were from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities.
Program Mission
The mission of the program is to educate individuals to be socially responsible counseling professionals who will work competently, creatively and collaboratively with and within the community in an environment of diversity so that persons in the community including those with psychiatric and other disabilities are empowered to pursue personally important goals including career with success and satisfaction. We also seek to address New Jersey’s ongoing needs to prepare counselors with specialized expertise in providing counseling in community settings for people with disabilities of all types, including psychiatric, physical, sensory and developmental.
The program specializes in preparing students to deliver counseling and other services to people with severe mental illness. As part of addressing this need, the program seeks to develop counselors who have expertise in counseling individuals with severe mental illness including knowledge and skills in providing evidence-based practices for counseling and other services for people with severe mental illness. The increased availability of counselors with this expertise is expected to benefit persons with disabilities as well as their families and communities by providing community-based counseling services to enable such individuals to enhance their quality of life including their ability to live independently, get and keep employment, gain an education, manage their disability, and form social relationships and networks.
Additionally, students are prepared to consider the community as a client and deliver needed direct and indirect services in this context. To prepare students to address these needs, the curriculum emphasizes developing critical thinking, providing counseling services in an environment of diversity, learning and using evidence-based practices, and adhering to ethical standards. The mission of the program is consistent with that of SHP in serving both individuals and the community.
Program Objectives
Objectives for the degree program include:
- Preparing at the master’s degree level highly qualified counselors prepared to work in a variety of community settings and provide services to persons from diverse populations in a multicultural and pluralistic society including persons with psychiatric and other disabilities
- Increasing the supply of qualified professionals with special expertise in counseling persons with disabilities to provide community-based counseling services for New Jersey and the surrounding region. Seeking to address the long-standing shortage of master’s level counseling practitioners with this expertise to serve communities in New Jersey, we are the only university in New Jersey offering graduate counselor education in this specialization. This includes increasing the supply of qualified practitioners throughout the state by offering the degree regionally at two campuses as well as online.
- Evaluating and improving curriculum and other program elements to assure that standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) including relevant specialization standards continue to be met.
- Increasing awareness of this degree program in the counseling community as well as in the larger New Jersey community and surrounding regions to recruit and enroll adequate numbers of students.
- Developing certificate programs and/or courses to meet the needs of counseling professionals who wish to upgrade their qualifications and credentials in various areas of specialization.
- Providing a career ladder for individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree related to human services and are interested in completing professional preparation as a counselor.
- Seeking funding including grants to assist students with tuition.
- Expanding affiliations to provide students with a variety of counseling practice opportunities in the community.
- Developing faculty practice with an emphasis on community service.
To accomplish the mission of the program and to prepare program graduates to work in a variety of settings including community agencies, government agencies, and other community-based services, we offer students broad knowledge of the counseling field including theory, research, ethical practices and decision-making, and a well-developed set of interpersonal and counseling skills. The curriculum educates students in the knowledge base of the field including current research combined with supervised clinical experience in counseling to practice that knowledge base. It is recognized that interaction between these elements is essential.
Counselors have extensive contact with other helping professionals, paraprofessionals, self-help groups, community leaders, and other members of the community. The faculty is committed to the development of program graduates who can work competently, creatively and collaboratively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. As part of accomplishing this, students are encouraged to learn about existing community resources and make maximum use of them in their counseling as well as assess needs for resource creation or modification to meet identified community needs.
Program graduates are also prepared to work with the wider environment as consultants, advocates and change agents. Besides proficiency in working with clients to modify their behavior to accomplish goals, proficiency is developed to interact with the environment to negotiate and, if needed, modify the environment in the interests of providing high quality services to clients.
Faculty members seek to promote an open environment for the consideration and discussion of a wide variety of theories and points of view. As part of this orientation, information and methodology from a range of disciplines are presented and discussed. In teaching professional counseling skills, many faculty members have training and experience in cognitive and behavioral counseling approaches such as the Boston University approach for assisting individuals with mental illness to choose, get and keep goals of their choice in the community. Key tenets in this approach include active involvement of the individual in planning and goal setting, behavioral improvement in the environment of need in the community as a critical outcome, and a primary focus on improving competency to assume community-based roles. The uniqueness of the individual is also emphasized with choice, empowerment and growth identified as core values. Services are individualized for the needs and preferences as part of the counseling relationship with a focus on the identification and use of client personal strengths. Among the roles individuals are interested in attaining and maintaining are worker, student, independent community resident, and member of a social network.
The faculty encourages applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds interested in studying for this degree. We recognize the need for diversity as part of preparing to serve clients in our pluralistic society and welcome applications from a wide variety of personal, social, ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
All Department faculty members strive to create an environment rich in opportunities, experiences, and knowledge that enhances the education of our students. We are committed to the highest standards of excellence in preparing the professionals of tomorrow. We seek out the latest research to inform our academic and professional practice, and share our knowledge in a stimulating, friendly and professional atmosphere.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Applicants who graduate from a CACREP-accredited program may apply for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) waives the post- master’s experience and supervision requirements for graduates of CACREP-accredited programs per information on their web site at www.nbcc.org. Passing the NCE is part of the process to obtain the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential available through NBCC.
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Employment of rehabilitation counselors is projected to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032, as fast as the average for all occupations.
There is a high demand in New Jersey and the surrounding geographic area for counselors with knowledge and skills in mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling. Follow-up of program alumni three years after their graduation found that over 92% of those responding had established careers in the counseling field. The employment settings where most graduates work are community based, non-profit agencies providing mental health and other services to persons with disabilities, community rehabilitation provider agencies, and state vocational rehabilitation and other government human services agencies including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Successful candidates should have both strong academic potential and commitment to working in the community and with individuals with disabilities. Related employment or volunteer experience is desirable but not required.
Admission decisions are based on a review of all materials submitted with the application and take into account all aspects of the applicant including career goals, occupational background, relevant personal experiences, and academic performance and potential. Applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds who are interested in studying for a counseling degree are encouraged.
Scores on standardized tests such as the GRE are not required for admission.
Deadline is March 1 for fall. We encourage you to submit your application for admission to the program as early as possible so that there is adequate time for processing the application, arranging a personal interview, and reaching an admissions decision before the start of the semester.
Students may complete the degree in either two years or three years. Completion of the degree requires attendance in the summer as certain required courses are offered only in this semester.
Admission decision recommendations are made by the program’s selection committee. Academic background, experience whether volunteer or paid in the human services field, and ability to perform essential functions, are considered in assessing potential for success in the program and making admission decisions. Admission decisions are sent to applicants by the Office of Enrollment Management.
Information on Tuition and Fees can be found here.
Requirements for admission include:
- Completed an online Application for Admission form with non-refundable application fee.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts for the degree must be submitted. Applicants in the final year of their bachelor’s degree are encouraged to submit an application. They may submit unofficial transcripts initially but must provide official transcripts indicating degree completion if offered admission to the program.
- Written statement describing career goals, personal goals, and experiences as related to the degree.
- Resume.
- Two letters of recommendation. Letters may be submitted electronically or in hard copy.
- Interview by faculty. Interviews are currently being conducted virtually.
- Information for international students is available by clicking here.
You can check the status of your application at Rutgers Graduate and Professional Admissions at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply/overview, select Check Your Status. Applicants with incomplete applications are not scheduled for an admissions interview with the Department. For any questions about your application or the application process, contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 973 972-5454 or SHPadm@shp.rutgers.edu. The hours of operation for the Office of Enrollment Management are 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
In addition to the academic requirements for the program, students must be able to perform the essential functions required for a career in the health services field. Applicants should review the SHP Essential Functions for Participation in Courses. Applicants considering careers in the counseling field must be able to form effective interpersonal relationships both with individuals and in the context of small groups, engage in critical thinking, work with diverse populations, and follow ethical standards of the profession. As part of preparation to become counseling professionals, students must be open to self-examination and to personal as well as professional self-development. Students also must have basic technological competence and computer literacy. This includes knowledge of and proficiency in word processing, using email, and conducting Internet searches. The GRE or other standardized testing is not required.
All students must complete the practicum and internship experiences in-person at an approved agency in New Jersey and the surrounding geographic area including downstate New York, eastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Delaware, and Maryland. We are unable to arrange clinical placements in other areas of the country.
Online students are required to attend a residency of up to three days in New Jersey each year they are enrolled in the program. Dates for the residency will be established at the beginning of each academic year.
Accepted students receive an admission packet including an acceptance letter, requirements for graduation form, and directions to access the Admissions Checklist. Review the Admissions Checklist and follow directions for submitting the tuition deposit to reserve your place in the program and to obtain a Rutgers email account and PIN number to register online for classes. You must also complete the required physical examination and immunizations and submit documentation to Student Health Services of meeting these requirements. Accepted students who have questions should contact the Office of Enrollment Management Services Center at (973) 972-5454 or by email at SHPadm@shp.rutgers.edu and Dr. Janice Oursler, Program Director, at 908 889-2462 or by email at ourslejd@shp.rutgers.edu
Information for military and veterans is available by clicking here, select VA Certification. For any questions regarding your SHP VA Certification contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 973 972-5454.
Applicants whose baccalaureate degree is not from the United States must submit an official copy of a transcript evaluation. Information about arranging an evaluation is available from the World Education Services, Inc. at www.wes.org. Contact the Office of Enrollment Management at (973) 972-5454 or by email at SHPadm@shp.rutgers.edu to learn about other acceptable agencies for transcript evaluation.
Applicants with a baccalaureate degree whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information about TOEFL may be obtained at www.ets.org/toefl.
Information for international students is available by clicking here. Information about the RBHS Office of International Services is available at http://rbhs.rutgers.edu/internationalservices or by phone at 973 972-6138.
For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to 2023-2024 Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)
For Financial Aid information, please visit https://scarlethub.rutgers.edu/financial-services/information-for/rbhs-students/
The 60-credit curriculum reflects areas of study important in preparing counselors to work with individuals with psychiatric and other disabilities in the community. The curriculum meets the accreditation standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Classes are offered in-person at the Rutgers-Busch campus in Piscataway and the Rutgers-Camden campus or students can take the degree online. The preference for one of these options is selected as part of the application process. At present, only selected courses are offered at the Camden campus with other courses taken online.
Students have the option to complete the degree in either two years or three years of study. This includes attendance in the summer semester, as certain required courses are offered only in this semester. A counseling core of 39 credits gives students a strong foundation in content areas such as theories of counseling, techniques, and methods for counseling individuals and groups, human growth and development and the impact of disabilities, and ethical and legal standards of the profession. Students also complete 12 credits in the clinical mental health counseling specialization and 9 credits of clinical experience in the practicum and internship courses. Although not accredited in this area, content related to rehabilitation counseling is also part of the degree.
The required clinical experiences allow students to practice and integrate counseling skills learned in coursework. Practicum and internship requirements are completed in-person at an approved agency. The practicum consists of at least 100 hours including 40 hours of direct service, and the internship consists of at least 600 hours, including 240 hours of direct service. Both are weekday, day time placements. The internship, completed in one semester in the spring following completion of the practicum, requires full time work at the agency.
Practicum and internship experiences are available only in New Jersey and the surrounding geographic area including downstate New York, eastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Delaware, and Maryland. We are unable to arrange clinical placements in other areas of the country. Students may be able to complete these experiences at the agency where they are employed provided the agency meets program requirements.
Below are the major areas of study that are taken by all students as part of the degree:
- Professional Identity
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Helping Relationships
- Group Work
- Evaluation and Assessment
- Research and Program Evaluation
- Counseling and Case Management
- Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
- Psychopathology
Course Descriptions:
Course descriptions are available here.
The M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is offered by the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Completion of the degree requires 60 credits.
Students may complete the program in either two years or three years. Many students choose the three-year option as they plan to be employed while attending the program. All students must attend in the summer semester as certain required courses are offered only in the summer semester. Courses may be taken at either the Piscataway campus, which serves Central and Northern New Jersey, or the Camden campus, which serves Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area, or online.
Generally, the program has a total enrollment of 125 to 130 students. The program admits students in the Fall semester only. The deadline to apply for the fall semester is March 1. Currently, over 50% of students are from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities. The majority of students in the program are female.
The program currently has six core faculty assigned to teach required courses in the program plus additional full-time Department faculty who teach selected courses in the program. Student outcomes are evaluated each year on a variety of different metrics that are part of the overall program evaluation.
Core Faculty
- Janice Oursler, Ph.D., Program Director
- Anthony Zazzarino, Ph.D. Assistant Director
- Aubrey Daniels, Ph.D.
- SunHee Eissenstat, Ph.D.
- Weili Lu, Ph.D.
- Tameika Minor, Ph.D.
Information about tuition and fees is available at http://shp.rutgers.edu, select Students, then Current Students and Tuition and Fees. Information about financial aid is available from the Rutgers Health Financial Aid Office at http://shp.rutgers.edu, select Students, then Current Students and Financial Aid. SHP offers scholarships available to both incoming and continuing students.
Information about SHP scholarships is available at http://shp.rutgers.edu, select Students, then Current Students and Scholarships. You must be accepted as a matriculated student to be eligible for a SHP scholarship. Most SHP scholarships are based on financial need, and it is recommended to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in addition to the SHP scholarship application and your transcripts. When applying for SHP scholarships, be sure to read the application directions carefully and follow all directions. Incomplete applications are not considered. One application can be used to apply for all SHP scholarships.
Please check the SHP website for the closing date for applications. The program has Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) training grants that provide scholarships for selected students to assist with tuition. Students must apply to be considered to receive a RSA scholarship and must sign a payback agreement agreeing to work two years in a qualifying job in rehabilitation counseling for every year of financial support received. RSA grants also require that students must commit to completing the internship in a state vocational rehabilitation agency as a condition of accepting RSA scholarship funds unless the program can obtain a waiver of this requirement from RSA for the student. Also, students must explore and use other sources of financial assistance such as employer tuition reimbursement before accepting RSA scholarship funds.
For the 2023 academic year, 48 students graduated from the program. All students complete a practicum and internship requirement in an approved agency during the last year of the program. Below is information concerning the program’s student retention rate by entering cohort over the period from 2005 through 2018.
Student Retention: Students Beginning in Years 2005 through 2018
| Year | Number in Beginning Cohort | In 5 Years | Percent | In 6 Years | Percent | In 7 Years | Percent | In 8 Years | Percent |
| 2005 | 36 | 23 | 63.8 | 23 | 63.8 | 23 | 63.8 | 24 | 66.7 |
| 2006 | 24 | 17 | 70.8 | 17 | 70.8 | 17 | 70.8 | 17 | 70.8 |
| 2007 | 22 | 14 | 63.6 | 14 | 63.6 | 14 | 63.6 | 14 | 63.6 |
| 2008 | 29 | 19 | 65.5 | 19 | 65.5 | 19 | 65.5 | 19 | 65.5 |
| 2009 | 29 | 19 | 65.5 | 20 | 68.9 | 20 | 68.9 | 20 | 68.9 |
| 2010 | 17 | 14 | 82.3 | 15 | 88.2 | 15 | 88.2 | 15 | 88.2 |
| 2011 | 27 | 22 | 81.4 | 22 | 81.4 | 22 | 81.4 | 22 | 81.4 |
| 2012 | 30 | 23 | 76.6 | 23 | 76.6 | 23 | 76.6 | 23 | 76.6 |
| 2013 | 30 | 21 | 70 | 21 | 70 | 21 | 70.0 | 21 | 70.0 |
| 2014 | 39 | 24 | 61.5 | 24 | 61.5 | 21 | 61.5 | 21 | 61.5 |
| 2015 | 34 | 24 | 70.5 | 24 | 70.5 | 24 | 70.5 | ||
| 2016 | 36 | 28 | 77.8 | 28 | 77.8 | ||||
| 2017 | 26 | 17 | 65.4 | 17 | 65.4 | ||||
| 2018 | 36 | 31 | 86.1 |
There is a high demand in New Jersey and the surrounding geographic area for counselors who have a specialization in mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling. Follow-up of those who graduated in the 2022 academic year found that 92% of graduates who were seeking employment were employed in the counseling field within six months of graduating. The employment settings where most graduates work are community-based mental health programs. Other employment settings included state vocational rehabilitation agencies and other human services agencies providing services to persons with disabilities.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the specialization of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program is not accredited in any other specializations.
Applicants who graduate from a CACREP accredited program may apply for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) waives the post master’s experience and supervision requirements for graduates of CACREP-accredited programs per information on their web site at www.nbcc.org. Passing the NCE is part of the process to obtain the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential available through NBCC. In reports received from NBCC, program students who graduated in 2022 and took the NCE while a student exceeded the national pass rate with a pass rate of 86%, as compared to the national pass rate for that period of 68%.
Licensure requirements for counselors vary from state to state. Students should check with the state where they are interested in obtaining licensure to get information about requirements in that state for the type of license the student is interested in obtaining. Licensure requirements may include both education and relevant supervised work experience. New Jersey provides for licensure of Professional Counselors and of Rehabilitation Counselors. Additional information about licensure requirements can be obtained from the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, Professional Counselors Examiners Committee, P.O. Box 45007, Newark, New Jersey 07101 or on their website at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Pages/ applications.aspx.
Students are responsible for obtaining additional information about and making application for credentials in which they are interested.
While the M.S. In Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track as a CACREP-accredited degree meets the educational requirements for professional counselor licensure n New Jersey, Rutgers cannot assure that you will qualify for any license or credential upon completing the degree.
For more information, contact Dr. Janice Oursler, Program Director, at ourslejd@shp.rutgers.edu.
This program focusses on educating students to be proficient providers of counseling services with a specialization in working with and within the community in an environment of diversity to empower people including those with disabilities to pursue career and related goals with success and satisfaction. SHP as a leader in health professions education is ideally suited to provide this program. This 60-credit degree is designed to advance the career of those already working in the human services field as well as prepare people to enter the field. Professionals with graduate degrees in this area are in high demand in New Jersey and the surrounding region as well as nationally. Employment settings include community-based agencies, state and federal government agencies, the insurance industry, and private practice.
This degree provides a specialization in both mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation Counselors are counselors who have the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to collaborate in a professional counseling relationship with people who have psychiatric, developmental, sensory or physical disabilities to achieve their personal, psychological, social, and career goals. Mental health counselors help people manage or overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with relationships. Examples of what mental health counselors do include encouraging clients to discuss their experiences and process reactions to them in order to adjust to changes in life, guiding clients through the process of making decisions about their future, counseling clients about developing strategies and skills to change their behavior or cope with difficult situations, and coordinating services with other professionals such as psychiatrists. Mental health counselors work with clients to develop strategies and skills to minimize the effects of their disorders or illnesses. Our program emphasizes approaches based on cognitive behavioral counseling. This goal-oriented approach focuses on helping clients to understand harmful thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and replace them with positive, life-enhancing ones as well as teaching clients to replace unwanted behaviors with more productive ones.
Requirements for admission include:
- Completed Application for Admission form with application fee.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Written statement describing career goals, personal goals, and experiences as related to the program.
- Resume.
- Two letters of recommendation. Letters can be submitted electronically or mailed to the Office of Enrollment Management.
- Interview with faculty. Interviews are currently conducted virtually.
In addition to the academic requirements for the program, students must be able to perform the essential functions required for a career in the health services field. Applicants considering careers in the counseling field must be able to form effective interpersonal relationships both with individuals and in the context of small groups, engage in critical thinking, work with diverse populations, and follow ethical standards of the profession. As part of preparation to become counseling professionals, students must be open to self-examination and to personal as well as professional self-development. Students also must have technological competence and computer literacy including word processing, Internet search, and use of email.
You can apply online. Applications are accepted only online.
Yes, students who have not completed the admissions process to be accepted for the degree may take courses on a non-matriculated basis. Additionally, students who are interested in taking selected courses or enrolling in one of the Department’s certificate programs may attend as non-matriculated students. A total of 12 credits taken as a non-matriculated student may be applied to the degree if the student is accepted for matriculation. For more information about Certificate programs, contact Dr. Janice Oursler at 908 889-2462 or by email at ourslejd@shp.rutgers.edu or Debra Rich at 908 889-2430 or by email at richd1@shp.rutgers.edu.
Yes. The best source for financial aid information is at the Rutgers Student Financial Aid Office. They can be contacted 973 972-4376 or on the web.
Yes. Rutgers University and the School of Health Professions offer a limited number of scholarships.
- Students have access to a variety of student services. You can self-refer for any of these services. Detailed information about these services is in the SHP Student Handbook available here.
- The Office of Student Affairs offers academic support services including tutorial services. More information about these services is available here. Contact the Office at (973) 972-7939 or by email at OSA@shp.rutgers.edu.
- The Office of Student Affairs offers counseling services in individual, group, telephone and online formats. For additional information about counseling services, call 973 972-7939, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday.
- More information on Student Health and Wellness can be found here.
- The Office of Student Legal Services (SLS) provides legal assistant and representation to eligible students, holds community outreach seminars and workshops, and provides educational opportunities for interested students in the form of internships and externships. Services of this Office are available to all Rutgers students year-round. More information is available at http://rusls.rutgers.edu/about-us-2. The Office can be contacted at (848) 932-4LAW (4529).
- Information about student housing is available here. Housing availability cannot be guaranteed.
Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs. Students with disabilities who require accommodations should apply for needed accommodations as soon as possible. To receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the RBHS Office of Disability Services (ODS), complete a registration form, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, ODS will provide you with a Letter of Accommodations to share with your instructors and discuss the approved accommodations with them. Students needing accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services as early as possible in their studies to start this process. More information including the process to apply for accommodations and other services for students with disabilities is available here.
Personal Liability Insurance: Although Rutgers provides liability coverage for students as part of the MOU with the agency, students must also purchase personal professional liability insurance and present a certificate of coverage to the practicum instructor. This is a CACREP accreditation requirement. Such insurance is available at low cost through one of the professional associations or insurance companies that sell student liability insurance. American Counseling Association (ACA) student membership includes liability insurance for ACA student members enrolled and engaged in a master’s degree counseling curriculum at a post secondary institution. This coverage is solely while performing counseling services such as the practicum and internship related to such curriculum. More information is available at www.counseling.org, select Membership and then Membership Benefits. Students must present a certificate showing personal professional liability insurance coverage to the instructor before they will be permitted to start any practicum or internship hours.
Dr. Janice Oursler, Program Director, by email at ourslejd@shp.rutgers.edu.
State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosure:
The Rutgers School of Health Professions M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets the educational professional licensing requirements of the following states:
AL, AK, AZ,, CO, CT, DE, GA, , HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY, PR
The Rutgers School of Health Professions M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling does not fully meet the educational professional licensing requirements of the following states: AR, CA, DC, FL, MD, MN, VA, WV (please see additional information about these state’s requirements below)
Updated: October 2023
AK -missing requirements: courses in Family & Relationship, Use of Technology in Counseling
CA – missing requirements: additional course in psychopharmacology, 10 contact hours in aging and long-term care, 18 contact hours in California law and professional ethics for professional clinical counselors (possible that graduate course work with suffice)
DC – missing requirement: course in Marriage and Family Counseling
FL – missing requirement: course in Human Sexuality
MD – missing requirement: course in Marriage and Family Counseling
MN – missing requirement: course in Family Counseling and Therapy
VA – missing requirement: course in Marriage and Family Therapy
WV – missing requirement: course in Marriage and Family Counseling
For more information, email Program Director Dr. Janice Oursler
65 Bergen Street, Suite 120, Newark, NJ 07107-1709
Admissions: 973-972-5454
Dean's office: 973-972-4276
FAX: 973-972-7028