Reported Preparedness of Certified Counselors in Rehabilitation Counseling Knowledge Areas

Abstract

The purposes of this study were (a) to investigate perceived preparedness, and (b) to assess differences in perceived preparedness across respondent characteristics. A sample of 1,535 rehabilitation counselors who renewed their certification between March 1991 and October 1992 reported that they were at least moderately prepared in the following areas that constituted the majority of rehabilitation counseling knowledge: vocational services; foundations of rehabilitation; case management and services; group andfamily counseling; medical and psychosocial aspects; workers' compensation, employer services, and technology; individual counseling and development; social, cultural, and environmental issues; research; and assessment. Significant (p < .001) differences in perceived preparedness on at least one subscale were found for preservice education level. gender, job setting, job title, and years of experience. Respondents with master's degrees from accredited programs reported significantly higher perceived preparedness in six subscales than did respondents with unrelated degrees. Results generally seemed to support the efficacy of both accreditation and certification as well as the importance of pre service education requirements for employment in rehabilitation counseling.