Rehabilitation and Human Services Courses

200. Helping Skills in Community Services. 3 credits. This course provides the student with the basic knowledge and skills associated with the helping process, including interviewing skills, as practiced in a variety of community services settings. A special focus will be on the problem-solving process and interaction skills used indirect service activities with individuals. Helping skills require a knowledge of interpersonal relationships and the effective use of interpersonal behaviors. This combination of knowledge and skills will benefit any individual wanting to increase effectiveness when working with people. S/U grading. F, SS

250. Contemporary Issues in Rehabilitation. 3 credits. This course introduces students to the profession of rehabilitation and examines how persons with disabilities are treated in our society. Topics include: community and national rehabilitation agencies, political and social influences on rehabilitation programs, conceptualization of disability, attitude development and change, building accessible and inclusive communities, and transforming the media. Opportunities for involvement with agencies providing rehabilitation services will be provided. S, SS

309. Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Disability I. 3 credits. This course provides a basic medical and psychosocial understanding of physical disability for human service workers. It is the first of a two-course sequence which covers medical terminology; causes, treatment, and prognosis of major disabilities; and the vocational and psychosocial impact of these disabilities. F

310. Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability II. 3 credits. This course provides a basic medical and psychosocial understanding of developmental, psychiatric, and learning disabilities for human service workers. It is the second of a two-course sequence which covers medical terminology; causes, treatment, and prognosis of major disabilities; and the vocational and psychosocial impact of these disabilities. S

375. Community Living Topics. 3 credits. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits. This course provides an introduction to independent living for special populations, such as individuals with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or serious emotional disturbances. Topics include community-based programming, the deinstitutionalization movement, legislative issues, and the concepts of integration, inclusion, and normalization. S

455. Rehabilitation Process. 3 credits. This course examines the history, philosophy, and ethical standards of the rehabilitation profession. Topics include the following: experiences of people with disabilities throughout history, legislation affecting persons with disabilities, public and private rehabilitation systems, case management principles, role and function of rehabilitation counselors, principles of independent living, and community resources utilized in rehabilitation programs. F

457. Vocational Development in Rehabilitation. 3 credits. This course examines the relationship between work and disability in American society. Topics include the following: theories of career decision making, work values, employment opportunities and barriers for people with disabilities, sources of occupational information, job accommodations, vocational planning and job development, work adjustment training, affirmative action guidelines, and vocational placement strategies. S

465. Professional Issues in Rehabilitation. 2 credits. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. This course is designed to provide an integrative experience for the senior Rehabilitation and Human Services student. The focus of the course will be on the exploration of the philosophical and ethical base of the profession and professional education. Professional issues and ethical dilemmas will provide the context for further development and application of critical thinking and decision making skills. F

475. Testing and Assessment. 3 credits. This course introduces the student to basic principles of testing and assessment that can be used with individuals who have disabilities. Various approaches to evaluation are explored, including assessment interviewing, psychometric testing, work samples, and situational assessment. F

491. Rehabilitation Field Seminar. 2 credits. Prerequisite: RHS 465. Corequisite: RHS 497. This seminar is designed to integrate the rehabilitation curriculum content with actual rehabilitation practice while in the internship. This is accomplished through journals, written assignments, presentations, and seminar discussions. F,S,SS

497. Internship in Rehabilitation. 10 credits. Prerequisite: RHS 465. Corequisite: RHS 491. S/U grading only. This course consists of a one semester block placement requiring 480 total hours (40 hours weekly) in an approved rehabilitation agency with an approved rehabilitation field instructor. The agency-based practicum, guided by a student’s learning plan, provides students with learning opportunities to develop and to integrate rehabilitation knowledge, values and skills at the beginning level of generalist practice. Learning opportunities emphasize the integration of research, problem solving processes and skills, knowledge of rehabilitation programs and policies, understanding disability issues, use of self, and values and ethics of the rehabilitation profession. Upon completion of the internship, students will have experienced practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities. Field instructors in conjunction with department faculty complete midterm and final evaluations of student performance. Applications for Field Instruction are submitted two semesters preceding the beginning of this course. F,S,SS

499. Special Topics. 1-3 credits, repeatable to 12. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Supervised instruction or research which explores topics related to rehabilitation and human services. F, S, SS