What is the deadline for applying to the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program

The deadline for applying to our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program for consideration for admission for the next academic year is December 1 each year. Individuals are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to receive full consideration for financial support.

What are the required materials for applying to the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program?

The required application materials for the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program include an MSU Graduate School Application, CEPSE Department Application, Statement of Interest/Goals, Resume, Official undergraduate and masters degree academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a professional writing sample.

How long does the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program take to complete?

At a generally full-time rate, our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program takes approximately 4 years to complete depending on the pace of student course and credit hour completion.

Am I required to attend the program on a full-time basis?

No, many of our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education students participate in the program on a part-time basis.

Is there financial support available for PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program students?

Yes, our program offers financial support in the form of graduate teaching and research assistantships that provide a stipend and funding to help cover the costs of tuition and fees. In addition, we have a federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) [U.S. Department of Education] Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Grant that provides support to our program students. Students in our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program also seek support via College of Education and general university fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships. Finally, some students also seek funding support in the form of student loans via the MSU Office of Financial Aid.

Where do program graduates get jobs after receiving their degrees?

The focus of our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program is to graduate individuals who are well-prepared for teaching, research, and administrative roles in the rehabilitation and disability arenas. Many of our doctoral program graduates obtain tenure-stream faculty positions at institutions offering CORE-accredited masters rehabilitation counseling programs. Our program graduates also obtain positions as research scientists within rehabilitation and disability-related research and training centers. Finally, many of our program graduates continue work as counselors in direct-service clinical work with individuals with disabilities.

When do applicants find out about program admission and begin the program?

Following the December 1 application deadline each year, program faculty review application files, interview select program applicants, and make admissions decisions. This process occurs during December and January each year. Students are admitted to begin the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program during the fall semester of the next MSU academic year.

What are the PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program research requirements?

Students in our PhD in Rehabilitation Counselor Education program complete two primary research projects as part of their degree requirements. During the first two years of the program, students complete a research apprenticeship in which they proceed through the entire research cycle in a small, time-limited research project in order to learn the basic research processes. Building on the research apprenticeship, students then proceed to design, propose, and complete their doctoral dissertation research project.