Become a Professional Mental Health Practitioner
Associate of Science in
Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment
New Jersey’s first psychiatric rehabilitation undergraduate degree program, the Associate of Science degree in Psychosocial Rehabilitation at Rutgers University, prepares graduates to become Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners, qualifying the graduate to work as a psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner.
Coursework and clinical field experience teach students the knowledge, skills and rehabilitation techniques to begin careers as mental health practitioners. Lectures, interactive classroom activities and the required clinical practicum experience prepare students to provide supportive services to those living with serious mental illnesses. Practitioners provide supportive counseling, case management services, and vocational rehabilitation.
AS in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment – FAQs
What will students learn if they study Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment?
Courses focus on the knowledge, practical skills and attitudes needed to provide support and services to people who have psychiatric disabilities in a variety of community settings that provide social, vocational, residential and case management services.
What are some of the advantages of choosing the AS in Psychosocial Rehabilitation?
The curriculum teaches not only theory, but skills (e.g., interviewing and counseling skills, group facilitation skills). The program also requires two semesters of fieldwork where students are placed in agencies that provide services to people with psychiatric disabilities and under supervision work directly with persons who have a severe mental illness
How do I know if I might be interested in the program?
People who are interested in entering the helping professions are good candidates for working in psychiatric rehabilitation. Are any of the following statements true for you?
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“I want to work with people.”
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“I want to become a psychologist or a social worker.”
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“I was thinking about working in the healthcare professions, but I’m not sure I can handle all the science and/or the hands-on nature of physical healthcare.
What partner schools offer the joint AS Degree is Psychosocial Rehabilitation with Rutgers-SHP?
Students take 30 general education credits at the following partner schools: Middlesex County College, Union County College, Raritan Valley Community College, Passaic County Community College, Warren County Community College, Ocean County College, Rowan College South Jersey-Cumberland, and Sussex County Community College.
Where are the professional courses held?
Students take 30 credits of professional courses either at the Rutgers-SHP Piscataway or Blackwood campuses. Note that Middlesex County College and Union County College students will take the Introduction course online, and will register through their schools.
How long will it take to complete this degree?
The degree can be completed in five semesters: Two at the partner school and 3 at Rutgers-SHP. Part time study is also an option. At Rutgers-SHP, full-time students attend two days/week the first semester, and then one day a week for semester two and three.
What types of jobs will I be qualified to work in?
Graduates are hired to work in a variety of entry level positions including day programs that provide both treatment and rehabilitation interventions such as skills training and pre-vocational services, residential programs, supported employment programs, and case management programs.
Can graduates obtain certification? Graduates of the AS in Psychosocial Rehabilitation are the only Associate degree graduates allowed to take the certification examination offered by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. The certification to become a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) is a nationally and internationally recognized credential that indicates the individual meets the standards of the profession.
Can students transfer to a four-year college or university?
Graduates may transfer into the Rutgers-SHP BS Dual Major program in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology that is offered with the following partner schools: Kean University, Rutgers-Newark, Felician University, and Georgian Court University. The AS degree also transfers into the BS in Health Sciences, Psychiatric Rehabilitation track at Rutgers-SHP. In addition, graduates may transfer to other four year schools in a variety of human service majors.
For further information, contact: Peter M. Basto. PhD, CPRP, Program Director, AS in Psychosocial Rehabilitation peter.m.basto@rutgers.edu or visit the program website: https://shp.rutgers.edu/psychiatric-rehabilitation/psychosocial-rehabilitation-associate-of-science-degree/