University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
School of Health Related Professions
Dept. of Psychiatric Rehabilitation
FOUNDATIONS OF THE COUNSELING PROFESSION
Fall 2005
Course Syllabus

Course: PSRT - 5313 Phone: 908-889-2747
Day/Time: 1-4 pm Fax: 908-889-2432
Instructor: Joseph C. Birkmann LMSW,MPA e-mail: birkmajc@umdnj.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an overview of the foundations of the counseling profession, including the history and philosophy of rehabilitation counseling, the legislation and public policies that affect individuals with disabilities, the ethical principles that guide decision-making as well as an overview of the vocational rehabilitation process and the impact of disabilities on individuals and society.

COURSE GOALS

Students will gain an understanding of the foundations of the field of counseling from a system’s perspective, with a particular emphasis on rehabilitation counseling. Included will be introductions to: a) scope of practice, b) guiding philosophy and values, c) relevant legal, ethical and professional issues, as well as a number of special topic areas.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, students will have an introductory knowledge of:
a) historical, philosophical, professional issues underlying counseling
b) scope of rehabilitation counseling practice
c) major pieces of rehabilitation-related legislation
d) legal and ethical principles and practices
e) systems and organization structures providing rehab services, to include
the public, the for profit and the not for profit service systems
f) societal issues, trends public policies and their effect upon rehabilitation
g) issues of informed choice and personal responsibility
h) attitudinal, stereotypical or physical barriers to full participation by consumers
i) the independent living movement, to include assistive technology services
j) eligibility for rehab services
k) differences among certification, licensure and accreditation
l) the rights of individuals with disabilities under federal and state law


REQUIRED TEXTS

Ruben, S.E. & Roessler, R.T. (2000) Foundations of the Vocational Rehabilitation Process (5th Ed) Austin, Tx: PRO-ED

American Psychological Association (2001)Publications Manual (5th Ed) Washington, D.C.: APA

COURSE EVALUATION

The quality of the course is evaluated through student course evaluation forms completed at the end of each course, as well as through the Dept’s peer review process. As part of the latter process, other faculty from the Psych Rehab Dept. may observe the course.

ACCOMODATIONS

Students are encouraged to discuss requests for accommodations with their instructor. Information re: supported education services can be obtained from Michele Mullen at 908-889-2513/ mullenmi@umdnj.edu. You can also contact the Disability Compliance Coordinator, Katrine Pierre-Pierre at 973-972-8594.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION: Taking part in class discussions is an important part of this course. Sharing your understanding, opinions and questions from your readings, responses and experiences is crucial to the learning process. Completing assigned readings by their due date and attending class regularly is expected, and since class is only held once a week, students missing more than one class will not meet the course requirements.

PROJECTS: There will be four projects:

a) Preliminary Library Project: After your orientation to the Library, you will be given a variety of tasks to develop your library skills. These will include: a) accessing and printing an on-line article and b) conducting and orienting a literature search using common databases like OVID and VALE.

b) “You Be the Judge” Project: Using case scenarios provided by your instructor, you will apply the principles of ADA in one particular case. Steps will include a) identifying the facts of the case, b) discussing how the ADA applies to the case, discussing the rationale for your decision and what your judgement is. Be sure to check the library and Internet websites in order to obtain background information on the cases. One such site is http://www.bazelon.org

c) Ethical Decision-Making Project: From case scenarios provided by the instructor, discuss the ethical aspects of a single case. Use the Code of Ethics to discuss ethical dilemmas you’ve identified and to help you make a decision as to what you should do in order to manage the situation effectively. State specifically how you would address the case and your rationale for selecting a particular course of action.

d) Meet Agency/Provider Project: With permission of your instructor, select an agency to study, public, not for profit or private. Describe the agency, including where it fits into the organizational structure of rehabilitation services. It cannot be the agency you work for because the purpose of the exercise is for you to learn how the agency and the rest of the rehabilitative services system interact and work together. Your description should include a) the agency mission, b) who it serves, c) the types of services offered, d) how one qualifies to receive services, e) how services are paid for, f) how the agency is organized and structured, and its relationship with other agencies.

e) Paper & Presentation: Students will write a 10 page research style paper that explores a specific course topic. The paper must be written and referenced according to APA Guidelines, and it must include a minimum of 10 research sources. It’s content must reflect a rehabilitation counseling issue and it must be improved by the instructor by mid October. You will also present a brief summary of the paper in class.

f) Exams: There will be a mid-term and a cumulative final exam at the end of ths semester. Exams will be primarily multiple-choice.

GRADE CALCULATION

a) PROJECTS 40%

b) PAPER/ PRESENTATION 20%

c) TESTS 40%


GRADE INTERPRETATION

A=92-100
B=83-91
C=75-82
D=69-74
F=68 or below

N.B. This is a required course for the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling. Failure to pass the course will require retaking it if you are in that Program. In other M.S. Programs, it is an elective and, if failed, may be retaken or another course taken in its place.

DATE TOPIC READINGS/ASSIGNMENTS

9/7 COURSE OVERVIEW Ch 1,
HISTORICAL ROOTS

9/14 HISTORICAL ROOTS(con’t) Ch. 2, Research Paper
CURRENT REHAB ISSUES

9/21 USING THE LIBRARY Library Assignment given

9/28 THE ADA – MAJOR MANDATES Library Assignment due
AND AMBIGUITIES Ch. 3, 14
ADA Assignment given

10/5 PHILOSOPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Ch. 4, 5, 6
& SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ADA Assignment due
DISABILITY

10/12 REHABILITATION CLIENTS Ch. 7
AND THEIR NEEDS

10/19 THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF Ch. 8
THE REHAB COUNSELOR Ethical Dilemma assigned

10/26 MIDTERM

11/2 THE VOCATIONAL REHAB Ethical Dilemma due
PROCESS: EVALUATION
PHASE

11/9 PLANNING THE REHAB PROGRAM Ch. 9

11/16 USING REHAB FACILITIES Meet the Agency assigned
AND SUPPORTS

11/23 JOB PLACEMENT, ASSISTIVE Ch. 12, 13, 15
TECHNOLOGY, INDEPENDENT
LIVING

11/30 FOR PROFIT SECTOR REHAB Meet the Agency due

12/7 PRESENTATIONS Paper due

12/14 FINAL EXAM