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Employers' preferences for bachelors' and masters' level rehabilitation graduates
College Student Journal, Sept, 2004 by Martha H. Chapin
This study gathered information from employers about job titles, education, credentialing desired, salary expectations, and projected job growth for rehabilitation program graduates. A survey was mailed to 377 employers who were expected to hire rehabilitation professionals in a Southeastern state with undergraduate and graduate rehabilitation education programs. A list of jobs for persons interested in working in rehabilitation with a variety of educational levels was obtained. The mean salary for people with bachelors' degrees was $26,849 and for people with masters' degrees $33,618. Certification as a rehabilitation counselor, master addiction counselor, and vocational evaluator were desired as well as licensure as a professional counselor. Employers anticipated minimal growth slightly more than no change. This information may be useful for recruitment and placement of undergraduate and graduate rehabilitation education graduates.
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Information from employers about hiring needs and projected growth for rehabilitation education program graduates is essential in marketing prospective students and assisting them in locating employment upon graduation. In a review of the literature, few studies could be found that involved contact with employers about available jobs, educational preferences, credentials desired, and salary expectations for graduates of undergraduate and graduate rehabilitation education programs. The National Council on Rehabilitation Education Board's 1987 position statement on undergraduate rehabilitation education supported research focusing on jobs appropriate for graduates of baccalaureate and master's degrees in rehabilitation. Previous research has focused on employment outcomes of graduates of undergraduate (Gandy, 1983; Geist & McMahon, 1981) and graduate (Crisler & Eaton, 1975; Gregg, 1977; Dixon, Kelley, Emener, & Wright, 1999; Scofield & Andrews, 1981 ; Sullivan, 1982; Trolley & Cervoni, 1999) rehabilitation education programs, career satisfaction of graduates, (Janes & Emener, 1986) and administrative/supervisory duties of graduates (Riggar & Matkin, 1984).
Residential facility employers were surveyed about the education desired for undergraduate rehabilitation job applicants. A bachelor's degree in rehabilitation services was desired for vocational evaluators, personal-social work adjustment specialists, workshop floor supervisors, and job placement specialists. The desired degree for intake/interviewer was a bachelor's degree in any discipline followed by social work and rehabilitation services (Weber, Evenson, Clapp, & Weigel, 1987).
Earlier employer studies of state vocational rehabilitation agencies examined employment qualifications, salaries, and benefits for rehabilitation counselors (Crisler, Porter, & Jones, 1973) and employment criteria, salaries, and job duties (Crisler & Crandell, 1977). State vocational rehabilitation agencies and rehabilitation education programs were contacted in federal Rehabilitation Services Administration Region V and information was gathered on hiring practices. Statute or union contracts generally established the minimum qualifications for hiring. Four agencies reported requiring a master's degree in a human service discipline. One agency preferred a master's degree for new hires, but exceptions could be made for specialized caseloads such as those requiring Spanish or sign language as the primary language. Three agencies accepted a bachelor's degree as their minimum qualification, but one attributed the requirement to the present union contract (Flowers, Strong, Turner, Moore, & Edwards, 1998). Many state/federal vocational rehabilitation agencies are out of compliance with the 1992 amendments because not all of their counselors are "qualified rehabilitation counselors." The states do have plans in place to remedy the situation; however, it will take many years for these agencies to be fully in compliance.
State vocational rehabilitation agencies were also surveyed to assess minimum hiring requirements for employment as a rehabilitation counselor. At the time of this study, 13 states required possession of a master's degree for a rehabilitation counselor, only Ohio required state licensure, and no state required certification as a rehabilitation counselor. This Southeastern state encouraged but did not require both the master's degree and certification as a rehabilitation counselor (Froehlich, Garcia, & Linkowski, 1998).
Changes in state vocational rehabilitation agency hiring and staffing; have occurred with the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) guidelines, Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. CSPD guidelines require rehabilitation counselors to meet the profession's national or State-approved or recognized certification, licensure, or registration qualifications. For rehabilitation counselors this degree is generally a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field according to F. K. Schroeder (written communication, May 29, 1998) New hires are generally required to meet these guidelines, while implementation with current staff varies by state. Some states require training within five years while this Southeastern state requires training by December 31, 2009 according to a conversation with L. Robb (July 10, 2002).
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