Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling



USF Home > College of Behavioral & Community Sciences > Department of Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

When are new graduate students accepted? Fall and Spring Semesters, but not during the summer sessions. Application Deadlines are Oct. 15 for Spring, and March 15 for Fall.

Do I have to take the GRE? Yes, you must take the GRE regardless of your grade point average. If you have a doctorate or a masters degree with a GRE less than eight years old, the Graduate School allows the Chair to waive the GRE requirement. Post graduate courses without a degree do not qualify.

How many hours can I take in the non-degree seeking status (also known as special student status)? No more than twelve (12) hours will be accepted by the Graduate School. Additional hours will not be transferred into the graduate program.

How many hours can I transfer into the program? No more than eight hours or three courses from other accredited colleges or universities, provided they were not used in a degree program. Any courses taken prior to receiving a degree from an institution (even if they were not required for the degree) are not eligible for transfer. Transferred courses must be at the graduate level and acceptable to the Department, and no courses older than seven years at the time the masters degree is applied for will be accepted toward the degree.

Can I have the required courses waived in the program? No. The only exception is transfer of direct equivalents from other Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited graduate programs in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. Please note that this means courses will not be waived for work experience.

Are dual degree programs possible? Yes, this program is referred to as our Five Year Program (please note that the 5-Year program is currently under administrative review; no new applications are being accepted at this time). You must receive both degrees at the same time and complete the 54 hours of required courses in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (no substitutions) plus 6 hours of Department approved electives. The electives may be required courses toward another masters degree.

Where can I get information about licensure? For licensure as a Mental Health Counselor, please visit Florida Department of Health - LMHC Info. For licensure as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, please visit Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

I was accepted, but haven't taken any classes for a few semesters. Do I need to reapply? You will need to reapply if you haven't taken any courses in a year.

I want to do my practicum next semester. What do I need to do?
1) At approximately six weeks into a new semester, Dr. Gary DuDell sends out a “Field Placement Announcement” to all students interested in Practicum I, II, or Internship for the following semester (or in the case of Spring, for the following semester(s) since he asks for interest for both Summer and Fall). In the Announcement, he specifies a date by which the student must submit the Field Placement Application and Field Placement E-Form. These documents MUST be submitted in order to be eligible to register for the class for that following semester.
2) If the student already has a site confirmed, they should submit the Field Placement Application and proof of professional liability insurance to Ms. Becky Karas at MHC1633 or by fax at 813-974-8080. Insurance can be obtained through Health Care Providers Service at www.hpso.com for $20.00 for one year. The next step is to submit an on-line Field Placement E-Form to Dr. DuDell at gdudell@bcs.usf.edu . He will review the documents and forward a final approval to Ms. Karas.
3) If the student does not have a site, he/she should consult the approved site list (the list is available on the department website). If he/she needs assistance in obtaining a site, contact Dr. DuDell at 813-974-1257 or gdudell@bcs.usf.edu. The student should speak with the placement site and arrange an interview toward the goal of working at that site the next semester for the appropriate number of hours. If the site is not listed as a pre-approved site placement, site approval must be given by Dr. DuDell and a Handbook for Field Supervisors and Agencies must be distributed. Once a site is secured, follow the same process stated in #2.
4) When approval has been granted by Dr. DuDell, Ms. Karas will issue a permit to register for a Practicum or Internship class. Be aware that permits are: a) issued on a first-come, first-serve basis; and b) class specific, i.e., once you’re permitted for a specific class, there is a very good chance that you will not be able to transfer into another one. Once a permit has been issued, a student may register for the associated practicum or internship class.
5) A separate application and proof of insurance must be filled out for each Practicum I, Practicum II, and Internship.
6) Please note: You may view the “How To Secure a Field Placement Site” webcast located on the Department’s website. Also, some general tips are offered on the Field Placement E-Form.

A final note: It is imperative that you obtain a copy of the USF Graduate Catalog and review the requirements and deadlines. There is also a website for the Graduate School, which contains relevant information and application forms. This is your responsibility, and it may save you significant problems later.