Make lives about possibility, not limitation. UMass Boston’s top-ranked Rehabilitation Counseling online master’s degree prepares you to support individuals with disabilities through applied training, field experience, and a CACREP-accredited curriculum. Choose a clinical or vocational rehabilitation counseling track and gain experience through practicum and internship placements, with flexible learning options designed to fit your life. You’ll graduate ready to work in health care, Veterans Affairs, mental health organizations, rehabilitation services, private practice, schools, universities, or other public agencies.
Here’s where this degree can take you:
Study in a graduate program designated as a Center of Excellence by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), placing it among just seven programs nationwide with this distinction.
Learn in a close-knit learning community of 40-50 graduate students from all over the country, with small class sizes (averaging 12 students) with other students from diverse backgrounds.
In your first year, complete a one-week, summer intensive on our waterfront campus, completing two courses alongside faculty and classmates, then continue the program online until graduation.
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Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Track
Prepare to provide counseling and rehabilitation services for individuals with mental health and other co-occurring disabilities through advanced clinical training and supervised fieldwork. Build a pathway toward national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and pursue licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor in your state.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Track
Develop the expertise to help individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and greater independence through career and vocational counseling, case management, and employment services. This track also provides a pathway toward certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Eligible students may receive a Rehabilitation Services Administration scholarship covering 75% of tuition.
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ranked rehabilitation counseling program in New England
Prepare to work in agencies like the Veterans Administration, community mental health counseling services, state vocational rehabilitation programs, community rehabilitation programs, private/forensic rehabilitation and insurance companies, or schools and universities. Help individuals with disabilities achieve their goals and ensure access to education, employment, and independence.
Here’s where this degree can take you:
Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor
Mental Health Counselor with a specialization working with people with disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Transition Service Specialist
Student Disabilities Services Coordinator
School Career Counselor
Job Placement/Development Coordinator
Some students decide to pursue a doctoral degree in a related field after graduation.
Example Employers of Program Graduates
UMass Boston Rehabilitation Counseling MS alumni launch careers at state agencies, rehabilitation programs, hospitals, insurance companies, schools and universities, and more, including:
Student Stories
I chose UMass Boston because I was looking for a CACREP-accredited program, and I wanted a place where I could align my passion for working with people with visual impairments. UMass Boston stood out because it offers not just excellent vocational and clinical rehabilitation tracks, but also an outstanding vision rehabilitation program. It’s the ideal match because it equips me not just with knowledge, but with the tools I need to make a real impact in a community I care about.
Mariana C.V., current student
I chose UMass Boston because of the breadth of the courses offered, the availability of online courses, and the ability to be on campus for two weeks during the summer (one time) to engage with the professors and fellow graduate students. I took classes from many different professors, and all offered a unique insight into the world of vocational rehabilitation. In essence, I believe that this program gave me the best chance to succeed in my career.
Geoff B., current student
I chose UMass Boston because it houses the Institute on Community Inclusion (ICI) who is known for their progressive work with individuals with IDD and their promotion of employment for those individuals as well. I have always been impressed by the inclusivity of the program. The best features of this program are the quality of the courses, the experience of the lecturers, and the use of interteaching so that students may learn from one another in addition to the material of the course.
Lee R., current student
Plan Your Education
How to Apply
Deadlines:
February 1 for Summer Priority Admission; April 15 forRegular Review
June 15 for Fall admission
December 1 for Spring admission
All admission materials are submitted by students through the Graduate Admissions Portal and admission interviews will be conducted for candidates in February, April, June, and November.
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Program Cost Information: For detailed information on costs of the 60-credit MS in Rehabilitation Counseling Program, visit the Bursar’s website to learn more about Special Price Tuition & Fees for online courses. There is no financial penalty or added costs for interstate students.
Scholarships: Admitted and qualified students in the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Track who are interested in completing an internship at a federal or their state vocational rehabilitation agency may be eligible for a scholarship from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The scholarship will pay for a minimum of 75% of tuition. For every year of scholarship, students are required to work for two years at a federal, state, or community rehabilitation program. For more information about the scholarships, please reach out to Dr. Peter at: dimity.peter@umb.edu.
Rehabilitation Counseling MS Application Requirements
Candidates for admission will be considered on the basis of the following criteria:
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. A 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required for full matriculation into the program. Students with a GPA below 3.0 and who have personal or professional experience working with persons with disabilities may be considered for provisional acceptance, with matriculation if the student receives a B grade or above for the first 2 courses.
Two recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student’s suitability as a prospective counselor.
Statement of intent (approximately 400 - 600 words):
Explain your personal and professional reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling.
Describe your personal and professional characteristics that you believe will contribute to your future success as a student and as a counselor.
Indicate your specific interest in working with people with disabilities and discuss the type of work you would like to do in this field.
This statement will be reviewed for both your overall message and your ability to write at the graduate level. Proofread your writing carefully.
Submit a current résumé outlining relevant work experience or other background information.
A formal Zoom interview by the program’s faculty admissions committee will assess the prospective student’s application materials, as well as personal/professional attributes and life experiences that may support the individual’s ability to be successful in the field of rehabilitation counseling. Be sure to research the role of a rehabilitation counselor.
A standardized test score such as the GRE or MAT is NOT required.
Accelerated MA 4+1 Admission
For undergraduate students at UMass Boston, there is the option to apply to the accelerated master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling. The MS in Rehabilitation Counseling does not currently require any specific academic background but prefers graduates from the social sciences. Students must have a GPA of 3.2 at the time of application. Ideally, students with a qualifying GPA and application would apply by February 1 of their junior year and be accepted into the Rehabilitation Counseling program, to begin the summer after their junior year. However, students in their senior years are eligible to apply. Students interested in this option should discuss this with their academic advisor and schedule time to talk to the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Dimity Peter (dimity.peter@umb.edu).
Curriculum
Core Courses (36 Credits)
COUNSL 601 - Research and Evaluation in Psychology 3 Credit(s)
COUNSL 605 - Principles of Vocational, Educational, and Psychological Assessment3 Credit(s)
COUNSL 613 - Vocational Development and Career Information 3 Credit(s)
COUNSL 616 - Group Counseling and Group Dynamics 3 Credit(s)
COUNSL 620 - Life Span Human Development 3 Credit(s)
COUNSL 653 - Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling 3 Credit(s)
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Practicum and Internship Experience
Put what you learn into practice through supervised practicum and internship experiences. Work directly with individuals with a wide range of disabilities while developing the skills, confidence, and professional experience you’ll need for a career in rehabilitation counseling.
Complete a 100-hour practicum, including 40 hours of direct client contact, followed by two 300-hour internships with 240 total direct client contact hours. Receive individualized supervision from experienced professionals at your internship site and UMass Boston, including faculty who are Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and licensed Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counselors in Massachusetts. With internship seminars limited to just 5–8 students, you’ll get personalized mentoring and support throughout your field experience.
Internship opportunities are available across settings like state vocational rehabilitation agencies, community mental health programs, health care systems, Veterans Affairs, schools, private rehabilitation providers, and community organizations. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your skills in counseling, assessment, case management, advocacy, vocational rehabilitation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice while making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people you serve.
Complete your internship in your own community, whether you live in Massachusetts or elsewhere in the continental United States. Work with faculty advisors to find a high-quality placement that aligns with your professional interests while meeting program requirements.
Develop the skills to provide counseling both in person and virtually. Complete at least 50% of your direct client contact hours through in-person interactions while also gaining experience with telehealth and other remote service models. This combination prepares you to work across today’s rehabilitation and mental health settings.
The Flexibility to Learn Anywhere. The Connection to Learn Together.
Learn online without giving up the interaction and community of a live classroom. Meet weekly with faculty and classmates in live online classes built around discussion, collaboration, and real-world cases. Through interteaching, an evidence-based approach to active learning, you’ll explore complex counseling concepts, learn from your peers, and receive individualized feedback from faculty.
Keep learning between live class sessions through readings, videos, podcasts, case studies, online discussions, collaborative projects, and other interactive activities. You’ll examine current issues affecting people with disabilities, apply what you learn to real-world situations, and develop the critical thinking, communication, and professional skills you’ll use throughout your career.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
Demonstrate an ability to empower individuals with disabilities to select and implement life goals that are congruent with their individual values, beliefs, and lifestyles. For many persons with disabilities, this includes support for access to meaningful education, employment, and independent living arrangements that match their interests and abilities.
Be able to conceptualize and implement rehabilitation counseling services and interventions for people with disabilities from a holistic and developmental perspective.
Develop a professional counseling identity and demonstrate the ability to function ethically and effectively within settings that offer counseling, vocational rehabilitation, advocacy, and/or related services to diverse populations.
Identify and implement a range of assessment, counseling and case management strategies applicable in a diverse and pluralistic society with individuals and groups to promote change and growth.
Demonstrate respect for the impact of social and cultural factors on human behavior and the role of individual differences in establishing and working toward counseling objectives.
Here is more about what our students learn as they pursue this goal:
Students will become knowledgeable and skilled practitioners through training and experiences in:
theories of human development
theories of individual and group counseling
theories of psychological, educational, and vocational assessment
dynamics of multicultural influences on individual worldviews and individual uniqueness
the use of technologies in the practice of our professions, including the psychological limitations and benefits of technology
Students will become caring, principled, and respectful professionals through training and experiences in:
humanistic and person-centered approaches
guided practice in acquiring interpersonal skills
ethical principles, standards of practice and respect for all people
the actual practice of the profession through practicum and internship
Students will become committed agents of change for social justice through training and experiences in:
laws and regulations governing the practice of their profession
theories of empowerment
theories of oppression and dominance
theories of change and advocacy
history of the profession
Students will become committed reflective and critical thinkers through training and experiences in:
reading, interpreting, and using the professional research literature (becoming a practitioner-scientist)
theories and techniques of program evaluation and assessments
self-evaluation and self-reflection activities during practical and internship experiences
self-evaluation through the capstone experience
Graduation Criteria
Complete 60 credits from 19 courses including twelve core courses, four track courses, two fieldwork courses, and one capstone course.
Track: Students must select a track in clinical rehabilitation counseling or vocational rehabilitation counseling. Capstone: Completion of a portfolio as part of REHAB 611. Summer intensive: Students must attend a one-week session in late June and early July at UMass Dartmouth where they take two clinically based courses. Fieldwork: Students will be required to complete documented fieldwork experiences aligning with their chosen track.
The vocational rehabilitation counseling track requires 100 total practicum hours and 600 total internship hours. The internship hours are split over two semesters (300 hours per semester).
The clinical rehabilitation counseling track requires 100 total practicum hours and 600 total internship hours and must receive supervision from a licensed mental health counselor. The internship hours are split over two semesters (300 hours each semester).
Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Programs for admissions and other program-related questions: Janice McDonald
Accreditation & Outcomes
The clinical rehabilitation counseling track is fully accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) as a Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program. The vocational track is accredited by CACREP as a Rehabilitation Counseling program (both through 2032). Licensing is a state issue and varies from state to state. Because the program is CACREP accredited, in most states, the clinical track provides a pathway for licensing as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Mental Health Counselor.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Rehabilitation Counseling program at UMass Boston
The mission of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston is to prepare ethical, compassionate, and highly skilled professional rehabilitation counselors and clinical counselors who empower people with disabilities and mental health conditions to achieve their personal, educational, career, and community goals. As a program within the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development and College of Education and Human Development at UMASS Boston, we are committed to advancing disability inclusion, equity, and social justice through excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and community engagement.
We recruit and support a diverse community of students from across the country and prepare graduates with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional dispositions required for certification, licensure, and professional practice. Our curriculum integrates evidence-based practice, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare counselors who are responsive to the evolving needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Our graduates are prepared to work across a broad range of rehabilitation, mental health, educational, healthcare, vocational, advocacy, and community settings. Guided by the principles of self-determination, human dignity, cultural humility, and inclusion, our graduates advocate for the removal of attitudinal, systemic, and environmental barriers that limit opportunity and full participation in society. We believe that disability is an important dimension of human diversity, and that rehabilitation counselors play a vital role in promoting access, belonging, and meaningful participation for all.
In fulfilling this mission, the faculty are committed to:
Creating an inclusive and intellectually rigorous learning environment that supports the success of students from diverse backgrounds.
Preparing graduates who demonstrate excellence in counseling, ethical practice, leadership, advocacy, and lifelong learning.
Maintaining a curriculum that reflects current evidence, emerging best practices, and the professional standards established by CACREP (our accreditation body) and the rehabilitation counseling and broader counseling profession.
Advancing knowledge through scholarship, research, community partnerships, and externally funded initiatives that improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Collaborating with employers, alumni, and community partners to prepare graduates who are ready to lead and innovate in rehabilitation counseling and related allied health professions.
Program Outcomes
In Fall 2025 there were:
17 students in the Clinical Track
13 students in the Vocational Track
3 Certificate students
5 students have taken a leave of absence for personal reasons.
The most recent pass-rate for the CRC exam, as reported by the CRCC is 88% (compare to national pass rate of 63%).
The job placement rates for our 15 graduates in the academic year 2025-2026 is 100%.
The number of students who received a RSA scholarship in the academic year since Spring 2026: 11 students.
The acceptance rate into the program 2025-2026 is 62%.
Learn within UMass Boston’s School for Global Inclusion and Social Development (SGISD), one of the first graduate schools in the world dedicated to advancing wellness, social justice, and economic opportunity. You’ll explore how to support individuals and communities who have been historically excluded while building the skills to lead change across nonprofit, health care, education, and policy settings. Through a transdisciplinary approach, you’ll gain experience in research, advocacy, and real-world problem solving, with opportunities to collaborate across programs and with the nationally recognized Institute for Community Inclusion. The result is an education that prepares you to create more inclusive systems both locally and globally.
If you are from Massachusetts and graduate from the clinical track, you will have met the educational requirements to become licensed as a Mental Health Counselor and Rehabilitation Counselor in Massachusetts. If you are from Massachusetts and graduate from the vocational track, you are eligible to become licensed as a Rehabilitation Counselor. However, licensing is regulated by the states, and the requirements for licensure for counselors and rehabilitation counselors varies considerably from state to state. We therefore strongly urge you to research the counselor licensing regulations in your state. Many states recognize CACREP accredited programs as eligible for licensure. You can review state licensing information at https://crccertification.com/advocacy-and-legislation/state-licensure-boards/. Please visit your state licensing board website to determine whether a program meets your licensing needs. We would be glad to discuss your licensing needs and preferences with you.
