Rehabilitation Counseling

Why Rehabilitation Counseling at Sac State?

The Rehabilitation Counseling specialization prepares counselors to work with individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. Training integrates counseling, rehabilitation, disability, employment, advocacy, wellness, and community-integration approaches while emphasizing the interaction among individuals, their environments, and the systems that influence participation, independence, and quality of life.

Students develop competencies in counseling; assessment; diagnosis and treatment planning; disability-related and psychosocial factors; rehabilitation planning; case management; advocacy; consultation; interdisciplinary collaboration; employment and career development; and culturally responsive rehabilitation practice.

Graduates may work in settings such as community mental health and behavioral health agencies, state and federal rehabilitation programs, Veterans Affairs facilities, nonprofit organizations, higher education, disability services, employment and workforce programs, hospitals and health-related settings, and private practice. Sacramento State's catalog describes the specialization as preparing graduates to support individuals with cognitive, physical, sensory, psychiatric, and other disabilities and to address mental health concerns, including co-occurring and substance use disorders.

Licensure & Professional Credentials

The Rehabilitation Counseling course of study has been evaluated to meet the educational requirements for the California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) pathway. The Sacramento State Academic Catalog identifies the Rehabilitation Counseling curriculum as meeting the educational competencies required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for LPCC licensure.

Graduates may also pursue voluntary national and specialty professional credentials, including:

National Certified Counselor (NCC) — National Board for Certified Counselors
https://www.nbcc.org/certification/ncc
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) — Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
https://crccertification.com/get-certified/

The NCC and CRC are professional certifications and are distinct from state licensure. Eligibility and certification requirements are established by the respective credentialing organizations and may change over time.

CACREP Accreditation

Sacramento State's Rehabilitation Counseling specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

CACREP Rehabilitation Counseling Program Listing:
https://www.cacrep.org/program/rehabilitation-counseling-11/

How to Apply

Annual Application Process

Key Dates for 2026-2027 Admission Cycle (Fall 2027 start date) - for more details, see our Application Timeline page of our website.


September 24, 2026	Information Night (4-6pm via Zoom)
September 28, 2026	Counseling Ambassadors begin their availability for meetings
October 1, 2026	Applications open on Cal State Apply website -We suggest immediately starting the recommendation form process in October
December 1, 2026	*Recommended Deadline for Applicants with Foreign Transcripts (Study Abroad, Foreign Degrees) to work with OGS* - see the “Applicants with Foreign Documents” page on the OGS website.
January 8, 2027	*Priority Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations -- applications must be complete to be considered for the priority deadline)
January 15, 2027 (9pm PST)	*General & Final Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations) No incomplete or late applications will be reviewed for admission. Due to university policy, no exceptions for late admissions can be made. There are no early or rolling decisions available.
January 19-28, 2027	Faculty review of applicant materials (primary screening)
January 29, 2027	Invitations sent to select applicants for Interview Day Event. See the Interview Day section of our Admissions timeline page for more details.
February 12, 2027	Interview Day Event (SAVE THE DATE - in-person secondary screening; no alternative dates or format; more information below)
March 15, 2027	Professional Clinical Counseling Program decision recommendations finalized: - Decision recommendations sent to Office of Graduate Studies for final approval - Applicants notified of Program's recommended decision
March - May 2027	Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) decisions finalized: - Students notified of official decision by OGS - Students must submit their Intent to Enroll with OGS within two weeks of OGS admissions offer – check your email for emails from OGS and Student Center.

Degree Requirements & Course Information

The Sacramento State Academic Catalog provides the official requirements for the 60-unit M.S. in Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, including the shared counseling core, Rehabilitation Counseling specialization coursework, counseling skills training, practicum, internship, and culminating experience. The current concentration includes specialized coursework in foundations of rehabilitation counseling, medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, advanced clinical rehabilitation case conceptualization, and related counseling practice.

Sacramento State Catalog — M.S. in Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling:
https://catalog.csus.edu/colleges/education/graduate-professional-studies-education/ms-in-counseling-rehabilitation-counseling/

Application Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Sequence