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Welcome!
Mission
The School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling is committed to providing quality, comprehensive education to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students on a variety of topics related to people with disabilities. An underlying philosophy of dignity and respect for all people, including those with disabilities, is taught and modeled. The School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling is also committed to integrating theory and practice in the classroom. Graduates are prepared with practical, hands-on skills necessary to successfully enter the work force or graduate school.
The Hidalgo County Commission voted Tuesday, April 19th to support a proclamation recognizing April 30th as National Therapy Animal Day.
National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners, the leading therapy dog organization to recognize all the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their handlers and can be found helping people of all ages in a variety of settings including hospital, schools, and nursing homes. The organization has more than 10,000 registered therapy animal teams, which make more than 3 million visits each year.
Denise Silcox, a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling presented the proclamation to the commission while speaking about her experiences with therapy animals.
“We know that a visit from a therapy animal will not fix the serious problems in our Nation and our County, but they are always willing to lift a helping paw in trying situations. With Covid coming to an end, the time to advocate for therapy animals and to encourage facilities and volunteers to get involved is now”
RGVision Magazine
Therapy Dogs - Denise Silcox has served as a volunteer evaluator and instructor with Pet Partners for nearly 15 years and has one of her three dogs active in the Therapy Animal Program. To enroll, a person and their pet must complete a handler’s workshop, then be evaluated as a team to ensure they work well together. Read the full article here.
Our Rehabilitation Counseling Program is ranked #13.
All the health rankings are based solely on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools in each discipline. All schools surveyed in a discipline were sent the same number of surveys. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read more...
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been ranked #8 for the Best Online Bachelor's Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling
Faculty like, Dr. Eluterio (Jr) Blanco, our Addiction Studies program coordinator, was recently announced as the Texas Association of Addiction Professional’s (the largest association of addiction professionals in the state) 2020 Terry B. Hale Professional of the Year at their annual state conference.
Masters Degrees Awarded
Academic Year: 2017–2018
Masters: 54
Academic Year: 2018–2019
Masters: 39
Academic Year: 2019–2020
Masters: 53
Academic Year: 2020–2021
Masters: 44
Academic Year: 2021–2022
Masters: 50
Masters Enrollment
Year: 2017
Masters: 161
Year: 2018
Masters: 155
Year: 2019
Masters: 177
Year: 2020
Masters: 157
Year: 2021
Masters: 170
Year: 2022
Masters: 162
Doctoral Degrees Awarded
Academic Year: 2017–2018
Doctoral: 8
Academic Year: 2018–2019
Doctoral: 7
Academic Year: 2019–2020
Doctoral: 3
Academic Year: 2020–2021
Doctoral: 3
Academic Year: 2021–2022
Doctoral: 6
Academic Year: 2022–2023
Doctoral: 5
Doctoral Enrollment
Year: 2017
Doctoral: 37
Year: 2018
Doctoral: 36
Year: 2019
Doctoral: 34
Year: 2020
Doctoral: 33
Year: 2021
Doctoral: 36
Year: 2022
Doctoral: 28
Year: 2023
Doctoral: 27
Academic Programs
Bachelor's
Bachelor's Degree
Addiction Studies (BS)
Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies
Program Modality: Hybrid
The Bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies prepares students to become addiction counseling specialists. Graduates will enter the field of substance abuse prevention and treatment and assist individuals to overcome their addictions and lead healthy, independent lives. Addiction is a disease that tears apart families, ruins lives, and affects communities. As aspiring substance abuse counselors, graduates can make a powerful impact.
Bachelor's Degree
Rehabilitation Services (BS)
Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services
Program Modality: Campus
The Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services provides high-quality training and expertise for students pursuing a career in the rehabilitation field. Students gain expertise and skills in rehabilitation techniques to assist individuals through compassionate, innovative, and knowledgeable care. The program offers concentrations.
The Rehabilitation Services program prepares students for professional environments with the essential skills and resources to succeed. Students receive unique, innovative educational experiences by applying rehabilitation techniques through a hands-on, experiential learning approach.
Master's
Master's Degree
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (MS)
Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Modality: Campus
The Master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling provides students with advanced skills and knowledge in a variety of rehabilitative counseling services. The program prepares graduate students with the skills to assist and empower individuals affected by disabilities and help them live a productive life.
The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program equips graduate students with in-depth knowledge of rehabilitation counseling services to effectively manage individual and group counseling, case management, rehabilitation research, and more.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).
Doctorate
Doctoral Degree
Rehabilitation Counseling (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Modality: Campus
The Doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Counseling is designed primarily to prepare students to become rehabilitation educators, researchers, and administrators, and provides the academic preparation to pursue certification as rehabilitation counselors. The program focuses on advanced training in counseling specializing in working with people with disabilities.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).