Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Major

The purpose of the undergraduate rehabilitation and disabilities studies major is twofold: (1) to prepare graduates for entry level professional rehabilitation positions both in the public and private sectors, and (2) to prepare students for graduate education in general and, in particular, graduate education in rehabilitation. The curriculum is built upon a strong liberal arts base designed to provide the student with an understanding of human behavior within the context of the social environment; an understanding of social service resources and social policy planning and analysis particularly as related to client systems served by rehabilitation professionals; understanding and skills needed to become a consumer of practice research and an ability to evaluate one’s own practice effectiveness; an understanding of rehabilitation theory and issues; skills in the assessment of disability; basic skills in effective communication with client systems; skills in the use of vocational information systems; the development of intervention strategies in human problems; and the development of skills to support action programs for client populations with disabilities. A field practicum is required (minimum of 240 clock hours).