PURPOSE and MISSION

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program in the School of Medicine at the University of South Carolina has as its stated mission, "the enhancement of the quality of life" of persons who have disabilities.  In recognition of this mission, program faculty carry out a spectrum of educational, scholarly, and service activities.  Educational efforts are directed at training professionals to engage in (1) counseling, (2) educational, vocational, and psychosocial assessment, (3) case management, (4) advocacy, and (5) community program development activities within an interdisciplinary framework.  Scholarly activities center around advancing and disseminating information and understanding of disability-related issues.  Service activities are primarily focused on providing support for others involved in delivering services to persons who have physical or mental disabilities, including addictions, or who experience the impacts of cultural, educational, and socio-economic differences.

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Psychiatric Rehabilitation grew out of a recognition that individuals experiencing a mental illness, either as a separate condition or in combination with others, require professional interventions and services that address the unique biological, psychological, and social factors impacting them.  These services may be provided in a variety of settings including hospitals or institutional facilities, community-based mental health centers, private practices and for-profit organizations. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Psychiatric Rehabilitation was designed to equip human service professionals to work with individuals with severe mental illness.  Students are introduced to diagnostics, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation issues and methods, and the recovery process.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WITH SEVERE LONG TERM MENTAL ILLNESS.