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Rehabilitation, Disability Studies, & Counseling

Chair's Message

Dr. Flowers
Dr. Flowers

With changing demographics, emerging disabling conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, returning veterans, and enhanced longevity due to medical advances, the prevalence of disabilities and mental health challenges is increasing significantly. By 2022, the number of individuals with disabilities in the USA reached approximately 61 million. Alongside the rise in physical disabilities, there has been a dramatic increase in mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. The mental health impact of global crises, such as the pandemic and natural disasters, has further intensified this need. Unfortunately, there remains an acute shortage of qualified clinical rehabilitation and mental health counselors from culturally diverse backgrounds to serve this growing population.

Our department, the Department of Rehabilitation, Disability Studies, and Counseling, is proud to address this need by offering comprehensive education and training at both the baccalaureate and master's levels. We offer two distinct graduate programs: Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). Notably, we are the only CACREP-accredited Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program in the state of Louisiana.

Our programs are delivered in a hybrid format, combining on-campus learning with online synchronous classes to provide flexibility for our students. The 60-hour Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 2027. The 60-hour Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, introduced in Fall 2019, is currently undergoing the accreditation process with CACREP.

The department is also working toward accreditation for the Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services, previously accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), and is currently preparing a Self-Study Document for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

We have a rich history of securing external funding, with approximately $38 million in scholarship, research, capacity building, and service grants. Our faculty has successfully secured funding from major national organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We recently completed a $12.5 million grant for the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Targeted Communities (VRTAC-TC): Education, Empower, and Employ (Project E3). Webinars on these topics are available at www.Projecte3.com.

All of the department’s activities are student-centered. In addition to academic excellence, our students are actively involved in social and community service initiatives through the Southern University Students Rehabilitation Association (SUSRA) and the Sigma Upsilon Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International. Our diverse body of students, faculty, and staff fosters a collaborative environment that supports personal and professional growth. Graduates from our programs are employed across the country in public, private, and non-profit agencies, community rehabilitation programs, mental health service agencies, and institutions of higher education.

Our faculty engages in scholarly research, publication, and mentorship with a strong emphasis on student development. They also serve in leadership roles in national and international professional organizations and consult with global entities, including Rehabilitation International and the Conference of State Parties, to implement the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

I encourage you to explore our website for valuable and timely information on admission and graduation requirements, course offerings, and plans of study. We are confident that our programs will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary for a rewarding career in rehabilitation and mental health counseling.