Job Prospects

What kind of a job might I be able to do with an M.S. degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Illinois?

Upon graduation from the masters program at the University of Illinois, a rehabilitation counselor will be qualified to work in a wide variety of rehabilitation settings. These include positions within State Departments of Rehabilitation; in community rehabilitation programs, as evaluators, counselors, assistive technology specialists, or placement specialists; and in other community agencies that provide rehabilitation services with persons with disabilities. Some graduates work in specialized fields such as deafness, mental health and alcohol and drug abuse. Another market for rehabilitation counselors is in private rehabilitation, providing rehabilitation services for injured workers. Rehabilitation counselors are employed in school settings, to assist students with disabilities transitioning from school to work. Institutions of higher education and private industry offer employment opportunities for rehabilitation counselors. Finally, many graduates develop their own careers through grants and contracts that support services to individuals with disabilities. Our graduates work as program managers and administrators in all of these settings.

Employment Settings for Rehabilitation Counselors

Traditionally, graduates of Rehabilitation Counseling Programs have been employed by State/Federal rehabilitation agencies. Because all state agencies follow similar guidelines from the Federal government, geographic mobility is possible for graduates.

Other job opportunities exist for qualified rehabilitation counselors in a variety of other rehabilitation settings, including but not limited to:

  • Comprehensive rehabilitation centers
  • University and other school settings
  • Insurance companies
  • Private-for-profit rehabilitation companies
  • Alcohol and other drug rehabilitation programs
  • Correctional centers
  • Facilities for persons with developmental disabilities
  • Developmental disabilities agencies
  • Mental health clinics
  • Rehabilitation units in hospitals
  • Veterans Administration centers
  • Special education/transition programs
  • Vocational schools
  • Programs for the elderly
  • Independent living centers
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Halfway houses and group homes
  • Client assistance and advocacy programs
  • Counseling centers
  • Head injury rehabilitation programs