M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling

Professionally Relevant Behavior and Ethics:

In addition to performing at acceptable academic levels in coursework, it is expected that students will behave at minimally acceptable levels in the various pre-professional activities in which they are engaged. It is assumed that this aspect of their performance in field work, practicum, internship and other relevant professional activities will be evaluated regularly, and will contribute a significant part to the assessment of each student's progress toward the successful completion of the program. It is expected that students will demonstrate levels of performance in relation to clients, supervisors and other professionals in their clinical placements which are acceptable to the agency professional personnel and the Department faculty, and are consistent with the professional standards of rehabilitation counselors. Specifically, the student should be able to perform adequately in the following areas:

• The ability to establish and maintain satisfactory helping relationships with clients appropriate to the level of development of the student.
• The ability to engage in acceptable peer relationships within the context of the professional work situation in the clinical training experiences within the Department.
• The ability to communicate appropriately and work together with various faculty members.
• The ability to engage in constructive consultation in the professional workplace involving communicating with other staff about issues and clients.
• The ability to accept and profit from professional supervisory relationships.

The Program and Department will review student performance in each of the above areas on a regular basis. Consultation with the campus and site supervisors and clinical instructors will be a part of the process. Written evaluation reports will be received and placed in the student's folder. The appropriate faculty member will review the record with the student on a regular basis. Students who are demonstrating difficulty in their professional development will be notified in writing. A plan for remediation shall be adopted that may include several options (e.g., personal therapy, personal growth experience, additional clinical training experiences, a leave of absence from the program, or other appropriate action). Students will be on probation during the remediation program and a specific date for reevaluation will be set as appropriate in each instance. Students may also be placed on probation for poor academic performance and/or excessive delays in finishing incomplete grades. Following a remediation program, a formal hearing will be held by the faculty to determine if the student shall be restored to full status in the Department, continued on probation, or dismissed from the Department. In case of dismissal from the program, students must be provided a written notice including the details of the reasons for the action. An opportunity for re-review of the case on appeal by the student will be provided. Normally, the re-review process will follow existing grievance procedures in effect at the SUNY at Buffalo and administered by the Dean of the Graduate School of Education.

All students are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the standards of the Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors. The Code was developed and endorsed by American Rehabilitation Counseling Association, the National Council on Rehabilitation Education, and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification and covers all Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. Having been admitted to the Masters Degree Program in Rehabilitation Counseling, all matriculated students are subject to the standards of behavior prescribed by the Code. Violation of the rules delineated by the Code is grounds for punitive action; such action may vary from verbal warning to expulsion from the program.