INTRODUCTION

The Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) program is nationally accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The MRC program implements its mission and objectives under the guidance of CORE and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). As the program's national academic accrediting body, CORE recognizes, based on empirical evidence, that rehabilitation professionals must acquire specific knowledge and skills in order to work effectively with persons with disabilities and their significant others. As stated by the CRCC, "rehabilitation counseling is a systematic process which assists persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals in the most integrated setting possible through the application of the counseling process. The rehabilitation counseling process involves communication, goal setting, and beneficial growth or change through self-advocacy, psychological, vocational, social, and behavioral interventions" (CRC Certification Guide, 2006, p. 4). The MRC program endorses the underlying values of the rehabilitation profession, as set forth by the CRCC. As such, the program recognizes and seeks the advancement of the following values through the program mission and objectives:

• A belief in the dignity and worth of all people;
• A commitment to support persons with disabilities in professional advocacy and self-advocacy activities leading to full participation in the rights and privileges afforded to all people;
• A belief that all people, including those with disabilities are integral members of our communities;
• A commitment to facilitate the inclusion, independence, and integration of people with disabilities in all desirable aspects of community life;
• A belief that all persons possess valuable personal assets that can serve as key building blocks for future success;
• A commitment to establish counseling relationships based on the premise that collaborative, working-alliances facilitate consumer empowerment; and
• A belief that interdependent connections benefit all people, including individuals with disabilities and their significant others.