Five new courses in the specialized practice area of Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Consultation have been added to the course offerings of the Rehabilitation Counseling program. However, they are not considered as courses included in the CORE-accredited Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. These five courses are target to experienced, Master's degree Rehabilitation Counselors, who have a minimum of 3 years of experience after completion of their graduate program in providing direct services to persons with disabilities.
All of the five forensic courses were approved in May 2007, and the first course (REHB 670) was offered during the Spring 2008. Forensic vocational rehabilitation courses are being provided through online delivery using the Desire2Learn instructional management platform. The remaining courses will be rolled out in a sequenced manner over the upcoming academic terms, with all five courses planned to be in place by Fall 2009.
The proposal for a new Post-Master's Degree Specialized Certificate in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Consultation is being completed for institutional and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU) review during the 2008-2009 academic year. Once approved by the university, the proposal must then be reviewed by MnSCU (central system office) staff, recommended to and reviewed by the MnSCU Board of Trustee's prior to any decision being made. It is hoped that an affirmative decision will be reached both on-campus and by MnSCU before the end of the 2008-2009 academic year.
The five approved forensic vocational rehabilitation courses included in the proposed program are as follows (click on the course of interest to obtain a copy of a sample syllabus for each course. (Note: Do not use these syllabi for ordering textbooks, as the instructor will provide enrolled students with an updated syllabus and additional information about the course prior to classes beginning):
A description of these courses is provided in the most current Graduate Bulletin in a numerical listing of all courses offered by the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at MSU, Mankato. Complete syllabi for each of the courses listed above will be linked as they available for release.
Since these courses are offered online, there is a benefit to person's residing outside of Minnesota and the surrounding states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, as well as the Province of Manitoba, in Canada. Persons residing in each of the states and the province listed, will pay at the reciprocity graduate rate approved by their state/province and the State of Minnesota. All others located out of Minnesota, can apply on a term by term basis for a "100% Online" tuition rate, which allows registration at the in-state graduate tuition rate for that academic term. To take advantage of the 100% Online rate, all courses enrolled for must be online during that particular term.
Current tuition and fee rates are available online, so that you can clearly see the current savings that you would experience as a "100% Online"learner who resides in another part of the U.S.
Upon approval of the certificate program by the university and MnSCU Board of Trustees, a Differential Tuition Rate will set in place for all courses within the program. The differential tuition rate requested is anticipated to be an additional 50% of then current in-state graduate tuition rate (example: current in-state rate = $ 283.75 + 50% (differential)($ 141.88) = $ 425.63/credit hour. The additional tuition (differential) goes directly to the forensic vocational rehabilitation program, once established, in order to support instructional costs not covered by regular tuition and to enable the proposed advanced graduate program to be self-sustaining.
Currently, students enrolling in these courses are not able to apply for student financial aids. However, upon approval of the post-Master's certificate program, access to and eligibility for student financial aids will be available.
Applicants for admission to forensic courses and the proposed graduate certificate program must meet the following admission requirements of:
An application for taking one or more courses, or the full five-course (5) series that required within the proposed Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Consultation should be completed and sent along with a copy of your current curriculum vitae (CV) to Dr. Schneck at the address for the Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services.
In order to register for any of the forensic vocational rehabilitation courses, you must also be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research (applying initially as a "non-degree seeking" student), which will not require you to pay an application fee. Once the program has been approved, you will need to reapply as a "certificate or degree pursuing" student, which will require an application fee that is paid to the university.
Once you are approved for admission to take courses, the College of Graduate Studies and Research will provide you with your Tech ID, that you can use for registering for classes, paying bills online, using library resources, gaining admission to the Desire2Learn course management platform (which hosts many of the online courses of the university), and other relevant services.
If you have additional questions, information needs, or wish to send your application or other materials, the mailing address for the Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services is at the bottom of this linked page.
Up to 25 seats are available in each class offering. At this time, enrollment is open for those seeking to complete one or more classes. Currently, a minimum of 7 registered students are required in order for a course to be offered, based upon the current "breakeven" point for costs. Once the certificate program is approved, preference will be given to students accepted into the program. Others will then be able to enroll as seats become available.
Thank you for your interest in the area of Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation Consultation and our offerings within this advanced specialization in the field of rehabilitation. Feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns regarding this new effort of our university.
