An online master's degree in rehabilitation counseling can launch you into a career that positively impacts the lives of people with disabilities. As a licensed rehabilitation counselor, you'll help individuals with disabilities overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Learn about affordable online rehabilitation counseling programs, what to expect once enrolled, and what you can do after graduation.
Popular Online Master's in Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
#1 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Fort Valley State University
- Fort Valley, GA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Fort Valley State University offers an online Rehabilitation Counseling and Case Management Graduate Program. This Master of Science degree is offered online and designed to train students in developing an ethical and multi-culturally competent practice of rehabilitation counseling. Graduates will have an understanding of the medical and psychosocial dynamics of disability and will have the skills to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals in all areas of their life including social, occupational, and financial. Graduates will be prepared to pursue certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and/or licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Courses include: Introduction to Rehabilitation; Introduction to Case Management; Counseling Theories and Process; Medical Case Management; and Group Theory and Process.
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
A Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling is offered online at the University of Alabama. This fully online 48 credit program includes an internship and practicum training experiences (which students will pursue locally) and is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Students in the program will learn a variety of clinical and case management skills including individual and group counseling, vocational assessment, and advocacy to diverse populations experiencing disabilities. Coursework is offered online with live class lectures and students will gain practical skills through supervised practicum and internship experiences.
Courses include: Counseling: Theory and Process; Career Development; Counseling Skills; Group: Process and Procedures; Orientation to Rehabilitation Counseling; Medical, Functional, and Environmental Aspects of Disability; Vocational Rehabilitation Case Management and Placement; Multicultural Counseling; Advanced Seminar- Substance Abuse; Research Methods in Education; Life Span Development; Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling; and Internship in Rehabilitation Counseling.
- Cost: $375 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Utah State University offers an online Master of Rehabilitation Counseling. This online CORE accredited program trains students to become professional certified rehabilitation counselors. Students can complete coursework through the distance education program online with live classes. Online students are asked to travel to campus in Logan, UT in the summer semester to complete three one-week courses.
Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in settings such as: The Veterans Administration, Independent living centers; Mental health clinics; Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers; Litigation and forensic settings; and private practice.
- Cost: $431 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 52
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#4 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Emporia State University
- Emporia, KS
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Emporia State University offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. This 48 credit, CORE accredited program is available fully online. Students will be trained to work in a variety of rehabilitation settings with the ability to provide assessment, intervention, and prevention services to diverse populations. Each students program of study is thoughtfully planned based on the individual students academic and work experience. All students will complete supervised internship and practicum experiences. Graduates will be prepared to pursue professional certification as a rehabilitation counselor.
Courses include: Analysis of Research; Career Counseling and Development; Counseling Theories; Group Processes in Counseling; Vocational Information and Assessment; Employment Issues in Rehabilitation; Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling; Medical Aspects of Disability; Psychosocial Development and Disability; Advanced Case Management; Supervised Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling; and Internship in Rehabilitation Counseling.
- Cost: $470 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
74%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
A Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling is offered at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The program emphasizes a commitment to training rehabilitation counselors to serve diverse communities in rural settings. Students will learn the clinical skills and ethical considerations necessary to be professional rehabilitation counselors with the ability to provide evidence-based services to individuals with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities. Graduates of this CACREP accredited program will be prepared to take the national certification examination and pursue certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and/or pursue licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor.
Courses include: Introduction to Counseling and Ethical Development; Counseling Theories; Medical Aspects of Disability; Career Counseling; Multicultural Counseling; Group Counseling; Micro Counseling; Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling and Ethical Development; Addictions; Human Growth and Development; Professional Development in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Assessment; Psychopathology and Diagnostics; Research and Statistics; and Treatment Planning and Case Management.
- Cost: $540 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
San Diego State University offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Students interested in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at San Diego State University can choose between an on-campus or online program. The distance education option is offered fully online. San Diego State University works to recruit students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to enrich the Rehabilitation Counseling Program. Graduates will be prepared to pursue certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Students who are interested in pursuing the offered Clinical Concentration will be prepared to pursue additional licensure and certification as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and the Advanced Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Additionally, areas of specialization are offered in: Cognitive Disabilities; Rehabilitation Technology; Supported Employment and Transition Services; and Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Courses include: Rehabilitation Foundations; Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disability; Theory and Process of Counseling; Assessment in Rehabilitation; Practicum in Rehabilitation; Placement Practices with Individuals with Disabilities; Seminar in Multicultural Dimensions in Counseling; Case Management and Rehabilitation Services; Assessment: Career Development; Methods of Inquiry; Group Dynamics; Applications of Assistive Technology; and Program Development.
- Cost: $627 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#7 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
A Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling is offered online at the University of North Texas. This degree is also offered on campus allowing students to select the mode of study that best meets their needs. Students in this program will learn to collaborate with and advocate for individuals with disabilities in achieving goals and increasing overall well-being. Students have the opportunity to work closely with recognized faculty and experts in the field of rehabilitation counseling. Faculty is engaged in several areas of research covering topics such as the impact of disability on ethnic and cultural populations; substance abuse recovery prevention; and the impact of resilience on health outcomes.
Courses include: Recovery Seminar; Introduction to Drugs and Addictions; Honors College Mentored Research Experience; Microcounseling; Disability and Society; Case Management in Rehabilitation; Additions; Drugs and Alcohol; Addiction Treatment Models; Alcohol, Drugs and Disability; Introduction to Psychiatric Rehabilitation; Addiction Counseling and Groups; Employment Services; Studies in Rehabilitation; and Rehabilitation Practicum.
- Cost: $643 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Winston-Salem State University
- Winston-Salem, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Winston-Salem State University offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. This program is offered both online or on-campus. Students can complete the program in two years of full-time study. Areas of Emphasis are offered for students who would like to have a specialty to take into their career as a professional rehabilitation counselor. Areas of Emphasis can be completed for 9-15 credits of elective courses and include Rural Vocational Rehabilitation; Transition; Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and Vocational Evaluation. Students in the program will gain valuable clinical skills through supervised practicum and internship experiences. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of settings with diverse populations.
Courses include: Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling; Theories and Techniques of Counseling; Group Counseling; Vocational Assessment; Medical and Psychosocial aspects of Disabilities in Rehabilitation Counseling; Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling; Culture and Disability; Transition from School to Work; Career Decision Making in Rural Settings; Helping Relationships and Techniques in Counseling; Vocational Placement; Human Growth and Development; and Psychosocial and Cultural Diversity Issues.
- Cost: $672 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
University of Kentucky
- Lexington, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
The College of Education at the University of Kentucky offers an online Master's in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Accelerated Distance Learning Program. Courses are offered in concentrated eight-week blocks through asynchronous web-based instruction. This method of instruction is designed to be flexible allowing students to concentrate on courses and complete assignments at their own convenience within some parameters. Virtual class hours are also offered in order for instructors to be accessible for students to interact with as needed. Students engaged in this full-time program can complete the requirements within 16 months. Students who would prefer to move through the program at a part-time pace can complete the program in three years.
Courses include: Principles of Rehabilitation Counseling; Rehabilitation Counseling Theory and Practice; Human Growth, Disability, and Development Across the Lifespan; Cultural Diversity in Rehabilitation Counseling; Crisis, Disaster, and Trauma Response for Persons with Disabilities; Case Management in Rehabilitation Counseling; Rehabilitation Research and Program Evaluation; Group and Family Counseling; Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Planning; Placement Services and Techniques in Rehabilitation Counseling; and Transition, Supported Employment, and Independent Living.
- Cost: $674 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 58
Percent Online Enrollment
43%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 Most Affordable Online Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Assumption University
- Worcester, MA
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Online Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling
A Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling is offered through the Graduate Studies Program at Assumption College. Students can choose to complete the program on-campus through full or part-time study or to complete the program online with a part-time course of study. Both options require the completion of 60 credits. The online program focuses on offering a student-centered approach to education with a commitment to supporting the interaction between students and faculty as students move through the program. All online students will complete a five-day on-campus session each summer to support their professional growth and development as rehabilitation counselors.
Courses include: Research Seminar; Counseling Theory and Practice; Group Work; Advanced Counseling; Human Growth, Development and Disability Across the Lifespan; Cultural Responsiveness in Counseling; Substance Abuse Treatment; and Transition: Community-Based Practicum.
- Cost: $691 / Credit Hour
- Credits Required: 60
Percent Online Enrollment
12%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
Methodology: How We Rank Schools
At BestCounselingDegrees.net, we use data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. The most important metric in our rankings — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2021. To learn more, consult our ranking methodology.
Why Get a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling?
The growing field of rehabilitation counseling provides opportunities to use your education to make a difference in people's lives. Rehabilitation counselors are the only counselors who must complete graduate-level training to work with people with disabilities.
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Professional Fulfillment
A master's in rehabilitation counseling empowers you to do meaningful work with measurable outcomes by providing the knowledge, skills, and strategies you need to help those with disabilities overcome obstacles and advocate on their behalf.
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Career Advancement
A master's in rehabilitation counseling prepares you for licensure in most states, broadening your job prospects. This degree equips you with the specialized training and credentials required to move into employment opportunities in public, nonprofit, and private settings.
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Convenient Online Options
Online master's in rehabilitation counseling programs offer flexible formats and affordable tuition, designed to fit the needs of students with work or personal responsibilities. Online programs often allow you to complete internship and field requirements in your local communities.
What to Expect From an Online Rehabilitation Counseling Master's Degree Program
While your state board determines licensure requirements, you typically need a master's in rehabilitation counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
CACREP accreditation demonstrates that your degree meets the academic and professional standards for state licensure and employment. The master's also serves as a stepping stone to a doctorate in counseling, which may lead to advanced careers in administration, higher education, and research.
Both campus-based and online programs require between 48 and 60 credit hours, which you can usually complete within two years, including 100 hours of supervised practicum experience.
CACREP-accredited programs require 600 internship hours in rehabilitation counseling settings, with at least 240 hours of direct service to individuals with disabilities. Coursework typically covers counseling theories and research, disability assessment and management, and ethics.
Popular Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling Courses
A master's in rehabilitation counseling provides the specialized knowledge and skills you need to assist individuals with psychological, sensory, developmental, and physical disabilities. Although specific degree requirements differ by school, all master's programs prepare students to conduct assessments and evaluations, interpret diagnoses, and develop treatment plans.
Medical Aspects of Disability
This course focuses on basic medical issues affecting employment and independent living for people with disabilities. Students learn basic anatomy, disorders and diseases, and medical terminology.
Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
This overview of the psychosocial adjustment to disability explores cognitive, psychological, and sociological factors, including personal and societal attitudes, stigma related to mental health, discrimination, and issues related to specific groups (e.g., women's concerns, neurodivergent concerns, deaf culture concerns, etc.)
Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities
Students receive training in tools, procedures, standardized and formative tests, and other resources for assessing people with disabilities. The course focuses on diagnoses and their social, emotional, educational, and occupational applications.
Multicultural Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling
This course explores the cultural, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors that affect counseling relationships and settings. Topics include acceptance and perception of disability, strategies for culturally sensitive counseling, and awareness of stigma associated with mental health and disability.
How Much Do Online Master's Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost for graduate tuition in 2021 was $12,596 at a public school or $28,017 at a private institution. Textbooks, transportation, and living expenses also contribute to your out-of-pocket expenses.
Pursuing an online master's in rehabilitation counseling may help you reduce overall costs. Some programs charge online students in-state tuition rates regardless of where they reside. An online degree may also save you money on commuting and housing expenses.
Investigate potential financial aid opportunities, including loans, scholarships, and fellowships. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for federal loans, grants, and work-study. Many graduate programs and private organizations offer scholarships and fellowships.
What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling?
Rehabilitation counselors provide rehabilitation services to various populations, including older people, veterans, individuals with substance use disorders, and those with neurodevelopmental conditions. They work in various settings, such as hospitals, acute care centers, specialty clinics, independent living centers, and special education/transition programs.
If you have an undergraduate background in psychology or counseling, completing a master's in rehabilitation counseling prepares you for state licensure, CRC certification, and independent practice.
If you are already working in the counseling field, a rehabilitation counseling master's offers a pathway into administrative roles and provides the training to move into specialty areas such as disability management, addiction rehabilitation, and vocational and workplace counseling.
Rehabilitation counseling offers stable job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects approximately 6,700 openings from 2022 to 2032, driven primarily by the increasing demand for rehabilitation services. However, budget constraints can limit job openings.
The median annual salary for rehabilitation counselors was $44,040 in 2023, according to the BLS, which is about $4,000 less than the median salary for all U.S. occupations.
Common Questions About Master's Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling
Students enrolled in accredited online master's programs in counseling receive the same academic and professional training as those attending traditional on-campus programs. In both campus-based and online programs, students complete the same coursework and clinical requirements for state licensure.
The average graduate tuition and fees was $20,513 in 2021-2022. However, the cost varies considerably by type of school. The average annual cost at a public institution was $12,596 compared to $28,017 at a private school.
Rehabilitation counselor salaries depend on several factors, including employer type, certifications, geographical location, and work experience. In 2023, the median annual salary for rehabilitation counselors was about $44,000, with salaries ranging from $31,000 to $74,000.
Rehabilitation counselors in Alaska receive an average salary of $69,370 annually, ranking Alaska among the highest-paying states for these professionals. Maine offers the next highest salary of $67,190, followed by the District of Columbia at $66,120.
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