1. To provide a well-balanced program of academic coursework and supervised clinical field experience necessary to develop the attitudes, knowledge, values, and skills required of effective and ethical professional Rehabilitation Counselors.
2. To provide qualified licensed and certified bilingual counselors to the Vocational Rehabilitation System, Community-Based Organizations, Hospitals and Governmental Agencies, especially in the southern and western regions of Puerto Rico and in the United States.
3. To provide continuing education and career development opportunities for practicing Rehabilitation Professionals in Puerto Rico.
4. To develop highly professional Rehabilitation Counselors who integrate their knowledge of the discipline with a high degree of personal integrity and commitment to promoting the dignity, equality and societal inclusion of individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
5. To foster the scientific research of topics related to disabilities and rehabilitation services, with special emphasis on Puerto Rican and Hispanic populations.

The Rehabilitation Counseling program at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) through 2018 www.core-rehab.org The master’s degree program provides both a full-time and part-time program. Our Program goal is to admit approximately 20 students in each graduate cohort. Student outcomes are evaluated each year on a variety of different evidence-based competencies that are part of the overall program evaluation.

The Rehabilitation Counseling program at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) through 2018 www.core-rehab.org.  The master’s degree program provides both a full-time and part-time program of study.  The program goal is to admit approximately 20 students for each fall semester.  Student outcomes are evaluated each year on a variety of different evidence-based competencies that are part of the overall program evaluation.

Currently, the graduate program has a total of 64 students.  The average grade point of students in the program is 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

For the 2010-2013 academic year, 43 students have graduated.  The student retention rate of students who enrolled and graduated for this 3 year period was 89%. Approximately, the time to complete the program ranges from 2 to 3 years. The estimated cost for program attendance is $16,407.  Upon completion of the Master in Social Science in Rehabilitation Counseling’s degree, students are eligible to take the Rehabilitation Counselor Licensing Exam required by Puerto Rico’s Government Department of Health offered during the months of October and March. Up to date, a total of 77% of students passed the licensing exam and 70% of graduates of those who registered to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certification passed the exam.   Of our program graduates 92% are employed or pursuing advanced academic degrees. 

All of the students are from Puerto Rico, including a large number of students with disabilities. The Program has one RSA Long Term Training grant that provides 8 students per semester in the form of tuition and stipends.

1. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
2. Minimum GPA of 2.75.
3. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a professor.
5. Successful completion of an interview with the Committee of Admissions of the program.
6. To have completed the following pre-requisites at baccalaureate level:

A. Social Research
B. Statistics (3 credits)

7. To demonstrate basic knowledge (literacy) of computers.