About

Are you interested in the field of psychology? Would you like to assist individuals who have disabilities or adjustment problems?

With a BS degree in rehabilitation services, you will have the skills to help individuals with disabilities develop methods for increasing employability skills, assist others with chemical dependency or other addiction issues, or help people become more proficient at caring for their own needs.

You will be prepared for entry-level human service positions such as a substance abuse, mental health or rehabilitation technician; work adjustment coordinator; job placement specialist; independent living coordinator; supported employment specialist; job coach; or case manager.

Study of the major includes history of rehabilitation services; an introduction to rehabilitation systems, vocational assessment, and related community resources and services; effective interviewing, interpersonal, and helping skills; case management; and knowledge of disabilities. The internship experience will provide you with opportunities to apply your knowledge in clinical settings. Students are encouraged to complete a minor or concentration in an area related to their rehabilitation interest.

Opportunities to work as a rehabilitation counselor, substance abuse counselor, or vocational evaluator are often dependent on obtaining a master's degree. The Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies offers three graduate degrees: rehabilitation and career counseling, substance abuse and clinical counseling, and a PhD in rehabilitation counseling and administration. The BS in rehabilitation services provides a bridge to these curriculums.

ECU Advantage

The College of Allied Health Sciences is the largest university-based allied-health provider in the state of North Carolina. The college has eight departments, Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies, Biostatistics, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Services and Information Management, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies, and offers degrees on the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.


Delivering a comprehensive professional education that will prepare allied health graduates to make a difference in the health of the region, state, and nation was the primary reason for the creation of the College of Allied Health Sciences and its departments. Fueled by the growth and aging of our population, the demand for these highly skilled specialists is expected to greatly increase as health care continues to be a priority for our citizens.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Jennifer McDougal (4425-M Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6301; mcdougalje15@ecu.edu)

Admission to the Rehabilitation Services, BS program requires a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA from ECU, completion of one core ADRE course within the rehabilitation services major with a C or better, and an application. Program admission is competitive. Admission to the university and/or achieving a minimum 2.5 GPA does not guarantee admission to the degree program. Applications should be submitted when the student is nearing completion of 42 s.h. Additional information and application for admission can be obtained from the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies.

Undergraduate students majoring in rehabilitation services are encouraged to minor in an established area consistent with individual academic and career goals or to take a composite minor of structured electives approved by the faculty advisor and department chair.

Majors must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all ADRE courses.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including the one listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra or equivalent
2. Core - 48-49 s.h.
  • ADRE 2000 - Survey of Community Resources in Rehabilitation and Health Care
  • ADRE 2003 - Introduction to Substance Use and Misuse
  • ADRE 3000 - Introduction to Rehabilitation
  • ADRE 3010 - Case Management in Rehabilitation
  • ADRE 4000 - Interviewing Techniques for Health and Rehabilitation Settings
  • ADRE 4100 - Occupational Analysis and Job Placement
  • ADRE 4993 - Rehabilitation Services Internship
  • ADRE 4994 - Rehabilitation Services Internship
  • ADRE 4995 - Rehabilitation Services Internship
  • ADRE 4996 - Rehabilitation Services Internship

  • BIOS 1500 - Introduction to Biostatistics OR
  • MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I OR
  • MATH 2283 - Statistics for Business OR
  • PSYC 2101 - Psychological Statistics

  • HIMA 3000 - Medical Terminology for Health Professionals OR
  • HLTH 3010 - Health Problems

  • PSYC 3221 - Social Psychology
  • PSYC 3325 - Introduction to Psychological Testing
  • PSYC 3375 - Abnormal Psychology
  • SOCW 2010 - Introduction to Social Work Practice with Special Populations
3. Cognates - 5-8 s.h.
  • BIOL 2130 - Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy OR

  • BIOL 2140 - Human Physiology and Anatomy I
    • AND
  • BIOL 2150 - Human Physiology and Anatomy II

  • BIOL 2131 - Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory OR

  • BIOL 2141 - Human Physiology and Anatomy I Laboratory
    • AND
  • BIOL 2151 - Human Physiology and Anatomy II Laboratory
4. Minor or structured electives to complete requirements for graduation - 23-27 s.h.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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