Help individuals with disabilities attain employment, well-being and optimum independence.
Graduates of UNT’s master’s program of rehabilitation counseling help individuals with disabilities find jobs, feel empowered to live a productive life and undergo challenging transitions with guided support. Alumni of our rehabilitation counseling program may be seen in community rehabilitation centers, Veterans Affairs offices, schools or in addiction clinics, building a bridge to recovery and a sustainable life.
U.S. News ranked our master’s program as number twelve in the nation for best graduate rehabilitation counseling programs; in Texas, our program is tied for number one. Students enrolled in the graduate program are passionate about improving the quality of life for others.
Courses are offered online or in campus-based formats to accommodate the needs of students entering the field of rehabilitation counseling as well as those who are currently employed in agencies serving individuals with disabilities. Upon graduation, you’re also eligible for national certification as a rehabilitation counselor and state licensure as a professional counselor.
Earn your master’s degree through UNT’s main campus or 100% Online.
Learn why you pursue a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of North Texas! Graduates of UNT’s master’s program of rehabilitation counseling help individuals with disabilities find jobs, feel empowered to live a productive life and undergo challenging transitions with guided support. Alumni of our rehabilitation counseling program may be seen in community rehabilitation centers, Veterans Affairs offices, schools or in addiction clinics, building a bridge to recovery and a sustainable life.
Application Deadlines
The Rehabilitation Counseling MS program has fall and spring admissions. The application deadline for Spring 2024 is November 1, 2023. All application materials including 2 professional references must be turned into the Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services (RHS) by 5:00pm on the day of the application deadline. All transcripts and your ApplyTexas application should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline (see Step 1 below).
Three-Step Application Process
The application process for the Rehabilitation Counseling MS is a three-step process. The first two steps are completing two separate applications. After these applications have been processed, you may be invited to interview as part of the third step.
1. Application to Toulouse Graduate School
Applicants must apply to and be accepted by UNT’s Toulouse Graduate School. Applicants typically have a 3.0 GPA or higher on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours from their bachelor’s degree, or at least a 3.4 on a completed master’s degree. Applicants with lower GPAs may be considered by individual review. In order to apply to the graduate school, you will need to submit:
- ApplyTexas Application
- Application Fee
- Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
Transcripts must be sent directly to the graduate school. Official transcripts can either be sent electronically to gradadmission@unt.edu or mailed to:
Toulouse Graduate School
1155 Union Circle #305459
Denton, TX 76203-5017
It is recommended that you send in all transcripts to the graduate school at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.
*All graduate applicants must meet the Toulouse Graduate School admission requirements, but most programs also have additional requirements and deadlines. Please see application steps 2 and 3.
2. Application to Rehabilitation and Health Services Department
Students must also apply to the department. Students can work on application steps 1 & 2 at the same time. Items you will need for step 2 to apply to the department include:
- Department Application (link below)
- Self-Statement
- Current Resume
- Two Professional References
Your Self-Statement should be a two to three-page double-spaced, typed essay that addresses both of the following prompts:
- Oftentimes our life experiences and interactions with various individuals influence our lifelong passions and direction. What specific life experiences and or individual interactions ignited your passion for rehabilitation counseling? Please discuss any attributes, experiences, or interests that would enable you to make a distinctive contribution to the rehabilitation counseling profession.
- As our world has become more complex and intersecting, we have also seen our client issues become much more challenging to address. As a future rehabilitation counseling professional, what do you believe are the responsibilities you would have for the client's well-being, and how would you hope to meet those responsibilities (given your present understanding of the role and responsibilities of a rehabilitation counseling professional)?
The statement and your resume should be emailed to: rhab-applications@unt.edu.
Two references are required, one must be a current or past employer, the other should be a previous instructor. If it has been longer than three years since you were last in school, both references can be current or recent employers. You will submit the names and contact information of your recommenders through the department application. When you 'submit' the application, it will prompt the system to contact your recommenders directly.
3. Interview
Once the department has received all of your application materials, qualified applicants will be contacted to set-up an admissions interview after November 1st, 2023.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Azzama Alia at Azzama.Alia@unt.edu.
All materials for Spring 2024 are due by November 1st, 2023. All application materials including 2 professional references must be turned into the Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services (RHS) by 5:00pm on the day of the application deadline. All transcripts and your ApplyTexas application should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline.

Scholarships & more
The Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services in the College of Health and Public Service offers thousands in scholarships to students each year, including:
- Ft. Worth Area Texas Rehabilitation Assocation Scholarship
- Ken Miner Scholarship
- Dan Minahan Memorial Scholarship
Justin Watts, Ph.D., NCC Assistant Professor Justin.Watts@unt.edu 940-369-8947 Chilton 238p Program CoordinatorGraduate students are advised by department faculty. Program Coordinator Justin Watts, Ph.D., NCC can help connect you with potential faculty advisors based on your unique interests. |
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