SIUC’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program, the oldest of its kind in the country, recently received a $1 million grant to fund the education for more of its students.

Funded by the Department of Education’s Rehab Services Administration, the grant will support five to six masters students in the program every semester during the next five years, said Thomas Upton, a professor in rehabilitation counseling and services who proposed the grant.

Rehabilitation Counselors help people with new disabilities adjust in ways such as meeting personal goals and succeeding in the workplace.

Students of various majors, such as psychology and social work, enroll in the two-year program.

SIUC’s program is ranked fourth in the nation.

“We’re highly regarded due to our teaching, research and service,” Upton said.

Students who apply for scholarships from the grant undergo a competitive selection process based on academic credentials and potential success, Upton said. Those who receive the scholarship, called Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholars, are provided tuition, fees and a small stipend through their grants. The scholars also receive the opportunity to go to a national conference every semester.

After graduating, students are required to spend two years employed at a state or federally-funded program or similar non-profit agency. If they decide not to do so, they have to repay the scholarship’s monetary worth, according to a university press release Tuesday.

“It’s like you’re being selected before you find a job,” Upton said.

The program currently has about 40 students. Upton said when he was coordinator of the program from 2006 to 2009, there were between 60 and 70 enrolled. He blames the reduction in numbers on economic issues.

Upton said there is also an overall shortage of rehabilitation counselors in the public sector. However, he hopes this grant will help bring in more applications.

Alexandra Morgan, an RSA Scholar and graduate student in rehabilitation counseling, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma before coming to SIUC.

“I really enjoy the program; it kind of embodies everything I liked in psychology during my undergrad,” Morgan said.

Morgan knew she wanted to work with people with disabilities. When researching programs, she heard how highly-regarded SIU’s program is.

“Each day I realize how much more fitting I am for the rehabilitation services, but also how interesting it is and rewarding too,” Morgan said.

She said she really likes the hands-on aspect of the program in which she counsels clients.

“This opportunity has allowed me to continue into getting my master’s degree because it helps support me month to month,” Morgan said. “It also it helps pay for my education.”

After graduating, Morgan hopes to work with wounded soldiers at a Veteran’s Affair hospital.

Anna Spoerre can be reached at [email protected] or @ASpoerre_DE