Application Requirements

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Application Requirements

A bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) in a related field is required.

Applications for the online program are accepted for the fall semester only. Once spots in the program are full, accepted students are placed on a waiting list for the next fall semester. Selection of students for the program is made on the basis of their ability, experience, and commitment to the field of rehabilitation.

To apply to the program, please submit:

  1. Online application.
  2. Transcripts of all previous undergraduate academic work.* Please note that applicants who are currently at UB or have studied at or graduated from UB do not need to request an official UB transcript. GSE's Office of Admissions can download and print the transcript.
  3. Be open to a personal interview (conducted by phone for online students).
  4. A letter stating why the applicant wants to become a rehabilitation counselor.
  5. At least three (3) letters of reference regarding the applicant's previous academic work and any rehabilitation or counseling related experience (letters from faculty who have had the student in courses are preferred).
  6. GRE scores are optional and not required.
  7. A $50 non-refundable application fee in US currency, either by check, money order, or electronically along with the online application. If you choose to pay by check or money order, please make it payable to "State University of New York at Buffalo".

*Former/Maiden Name: Note to all applicants, please be sure to provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.

International students also need to provide the following pieces of information:

  • TOEFL score report (must not be more than two years old from the time you begin classes) with a minimum of 213 for a computer based test, 550 for a paper based test and 79 Internet based test (institution code: 2925); IELTS minimum score of 6.5(with no subsection score below 6.0)
  • GRE score report (no more than five years old) - UB institution code is 2925 - GRE departmental code is 4701.
  • Passport Biographical Page- A copy of the applicant’s passport biographical page is required (the page that shows the holder’s full name, date of birth, nationality, etc.) in order to prepare the U.S. immigration I-20 form based on spellings and dates in the passport.
  • Financial documentation; international graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S. All financial forms and supporting documentation must be originals with original signatures, and must be dated within one year of the time the applicant intends to enroll at UB. No action will be taken on dossiers of applicants who indicate no financial support. The International Financial Form is located here
  • An official bank statement translated into U.S. dollars and/or letters of support.

For questions regarding the application process applicants must contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
366 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Telephone: (716) 645-2110
Fax: (716) 645-7937
email: gse-info@buffalo.edu

Affirmative Action

The program is committed to seeking and supporting the efforts of qualified individuals with disabilities or who are minorities wishing to enter the field of Rehabilitation Counseling. No person, in whatever relationship with the University at Buffalo - SUNY, shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of age, belief, color, disability, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, or military veteran status.

Financial Aid

Limited traineeship support for rehabilitation counseling students is available; generally in year two and three of the program. A Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) funded federal training grant has been awarded, which can provide some tuition assistance for rehabilitation counseling master’s students. The grant requires service to community - for every year of tuition assistance, the recipient is required to remain employed for two years in a state agency and their affiliated partners. For details please see this document. To be considered for support the student must be demonstrating excellent progress, as determined by the Program Director, and request consideration in writing to the Program Director. Other sources of support and student loans may be available through the University Office of Financial Aid: phone (716) 829-3724, src.buffalo.edu/financialaid.

Required Skills and Knowledge
Students enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program are expected to have specific prerequisite technology skills. It is further expected that, if needed, early requisite skills will be developed individually. These skills are required for completion of assignments and are not covered in program courses. It is your responsibility to gain proficiency to successfully complete course objectives and assignments.