Earn your master degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Louisiana State University Shreveport, a program designed to develop professional rehabilitation counselors.
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Prepare for professional rehabilitation counseling careers or doctoral study with the Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program at LSU Shreveport. Emphasizing cultural competency, this master’s degree program will prepare you to work with individuals that possess physical, developmental, cognitive, psychological, and/or neurological disabilities or illnesses. The LSUS program also fulfills the academic requirements you need to pursue national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification and state licensure as a Licensed Professional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (LPVRC) by the Louisiana Licensed Professional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Board of Examiners.
At LSUS, you’ll also find unique opportunities to work in the field and conduct research, and a level of personal interaction with faculty you won’t find in many graduate programs. This program's coursework is primarily offered in the evenings or in online or hybrid formats, making it easier to fulfill your work and school obligations.
The second year of the master’s in clincial rehabilitation counseling program includes practicum and internship opportunities that provide hands-on clinical experience in varied settings. Some counseling courses include a self-assessment of wellness which is conducted by each student at the beginning and again at the end of the courses. There are also training opportunities for site supervisors, such as the Graduate Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota mixers with site supervisors and PTSD workshops facilitated by licensed professional counselors.
Applicants must complete the online LSUS Application for Graduate Admission and submit transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Records. Applicants must also submit to msc@lsus.edu: (1) at least two letters of reference; (2) MS Program Application Form; and (3) Letter of Intent (essay) indicating your plans after obtaining the degree. All material must be received by the program director prior to the MS program application deadlines which are: March 30th for admission in the Summer term and early admission in the Fall semester, August 5th for the Fall Semester, and October 30th for the Spring semester. In addition, applicant's credentials should provide evidence of freedom from limitations that would jeopardize their success as a professional counselor. A formal interview with program faculty is required after all admissions paperwork is complete.
Earn your master’s degree at LSUS and prepare for a career as a clinical rehabilitation counselor. The master’s clinical rehabilitation counseling program is also an excellent foundation to pursue doctoral degree programs in rehabilitation or other areas of counseling.
Graduate training model
The master’s in clinical rehabilitation counseling program is based on the practitioner-scientist model of training, emphasizing clinical practice and scholarly knowledge. There’s also a strong focus on research design and methodology. A wellness model encourages counseling practitioners to look at the whole person and think about cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems from a developmental perspective to empower people with disabilities.
Student life
LSUS is home to more than 70 student clubs and organizations that offer a variety of opportunities to get involved in the community and network with area professionals. This includes the Graduate Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society (the International Counseling Honor Society), which hosts activities such as a licensed professional counselor mixer with counseling graduate students, area practitioners and supervisors.
Learn from the best
Our faculty are deeply engaged in diverse research areas – from motivational interviewing with high school students, to the impact of sexuality on quality of life for women with serious mental illness. One of our professors recently took part in the NPR program Health Matters, discussing “Gratitude and Positive Psychology,” resulting in a new practicum/internship site through the host of the show. Master’s in counseling faculty participate in local events such as Shreveport’s annual city-wide health fair. The program also offers a LGBTQ teen/parent social support group in the counseling clinic through which practicum and intern students can gain diverse clinical skills.
Financial aid for master’s in counseling graduate students
More than $12.4 million in scholarship money is awarded to LSUS students each year. Take some time to explore the types of financial aid you could qualify for.
Job placement rate for M.S. in Counseling alumni
“Many of the assignments in my classes required deep introspection and provided enormous benefit toward increasing self-awareness, benefiting my personal growth and preparing me for the challenging work of being a counselor. The openness of being able to choose topics of interest for assignments was a great fit for me, as it allowed me to research areas about which I am truly passionate. As a result, my research on integrating yoga with treating female trauma survivors invited me the opportunity to participate in presenting at the annual LCA conference. I was also fortunate to be hired as a student worker in the counseling office on campus. During my time as a student worker, working under great leadership meant that opportunities for professional growth were continually present.”Angie Pellerin (M.S. in Counseling, 2016)
2022-2023 CACREP Vital Statistics, MSC Newsletter, Annual Summative Report
2021-2022 CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report
2020-2021 CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report
2019-2020 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
2018-2019 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
2017-2018 - CACREP Vital Statistics, Annual Summative Report, Newsletter
LSUS psychology assistant professor Dr. Michael Becerra hosted a pair of Colombian psychology colleagues in Fall 2023 as part of an exercise of academic and cultural exchange.
LSUS master’s in counseling students have scored higher than the national average on their GSA comps (from the National Board of Counselors) – an exam based on the national counselor exam for state licensure. One of our students made an almost perfect score!
Professional clinical rehabilitation counselors practice in a variety of settings in which counseling or other mental health services are offered, including:
Learn more about the Master of Science in Counseling in the program handbook.
Thinking about earning your master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation counseling? You might also be interested in learning more about these graduate programs at LSUS.
Starting a successful career is closer than you think. With exceptional academics and generous financial aid, LSUS allows you to get your degree close to home while launching you to new heights.