Rehabilitation Counselor Degree Type as a Predictor of Client Outcomes: A Comparison of Quantity Versus Quality in Closure Rates

Abstract

Closure rates (CR) of counselors with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling (MRC) and master’s degrees in related disciplines (RM) were compared. High-quality closure rates (HQCR) were also compared, defined as CR for full-time jobs that paid a living wage. Analyses examined all counselors and, separately, only those with 6 or fewer years of experience. Last, analyses examined if disability severity predicts HQCR. Eighty-nine counselors completed a survey assessing their educational background. These data were linked to outcomes of 13,460 clients. CR of MRC and RM counselors did not differ. However, MRC counselors had higher HQCR ( p = .034), higher living-wage closure rate (LWCR; p = .025), and almost higher full-time job closure rate (FTCR; p = .066). MRC-RM comparisons using only counselors with 6 or fewer years of experience were also significant (all ps < .05) and, importantly, showed even stronger effects. Also, although clients with most-severe disabilities had lower CR ( p = .029), they had much lower HQCR, LWCR, and FTCR (all ps < .001). Although CR does not differ between MRC and RM counselors, MRC counselors are more likely to secure high-quality jobs for clients. Also, clients with most-severe disabilities are more likely to be placed in lower quality jobs. Implications for hiring rehabilitation counselors are discussed.

The Impact of Supervisory Styles on Satisfaction of Undergraduate Counselling Interns in Malaysia

“…As stated in the study conducted by Mackay et al (2020), a master's degree counsellor achieved significantly better outcomes than their counterparts with bachelor's degrees in dealing with their clients. Thus, supervisors need not use direct style and give more support for supervisees who underwent master's degree, as opposed to supervisees who are still studying at the bachelor's degree level, who still require high direction and support during the supervision process.…”

The Impact of Organizational Factors and Professional Identity on Turn Over Intent in State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

“…Finding the right talent can improve client service delivery (Garner et al, 2012), and a highly qualified RC has been shown to have higher quality outcomes (Mackay et al, 2020). Findings in the present study indicated practitioners with a higher level of professional identity as a RC were less likely to seek employment elsewhere.…”

Persons With Disabilities in Self-Employment Served by the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation System: Differences Between 2011–2013 and 2017–2019

“…The passage of WIOA expanded education majors for VR counselors to include undergraduate degrees in business administration, human resources, and economics, and removed the previously required advanced (graduate) degree in rehabilitation counseling. Evidence indicates VR counselors with a master’s (vs. bachelor’s) degree had better employment outcomes, including for consumers with severe disabilities (Frain et al, 2006; Sherman et al, 2017), whereas having a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling (vs. a master’s degree in a related discipline) was associated with better employment outcomes (Frain et al, 2006) and securing high-quality jobs for consumers (Mackay et al, 2020). VR professionals may find the following resources useful: (a) for VR agencies, a 16-step self-employment process (Arnold et al, 2003); (b) for VR counselors and consumers, a 12-step self-employment manual (Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, 2013); and (c) for VR counselors and students, an eight-step self-employment planning manual (Condon & Brown, 2007).…”