Program Description

Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology

The dual-major program in psychiatric rehabilitation and psychology is a joint-degree program with Rutgers-Newark College of Arts and Sciences, Kean University, Georgian Court University, and Felician University. This unique program offers a dual major in psychiatric rehabilitation and psychology and provides educational and clinical preparation for professional roles in psychiatric rehabilitation and community mental health settings. Graduates are employed by programs that provide services to individuals living with serious mental illnesses. These include assertive community treatment (PACT) teams, case management programs, partial care programs, supported employment programs, and supported housing programs. Students are prepared to pursue a variety of graduate degree options, including rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, and related fields.

Students enter the program during their sophomore or junior year at the partner school where they fulfill their psychology and general education requirements. At the School of Health Professions (SHP), they complete a 21-credit core in psychiatric rehabilitation, a 12-credit practicum sequence, and 12 credits of electives in upper-level psychiatric rehabilitation courses, for a total of 120 credits.

Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) Psychiatric Rehabilitation Track

Like the dual-major B.S. program in psychiatric rehabilitation and psychology, the BSHS psychiatric rehabilitation track prepares health care professionals with the knowledge and skill competencies needed to assist individuals living with a serious mental illness. The program also includes online courses that are taken within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies that provide students with knowledge of health care organizational issues and also teach students leadership skills. Graduates can become employed at the community mental health settings described above, and can continue their education in the graduate programs described above, or go on to study public health or related fields.

To pursue this major, applicants must possess an associate degree from an accredited institution, and meet the program GPA requirements to be eligible to apply. In addition, although the program is open to majors in the sciences and arts, as well as the health sciences and psychology, applicants must demonstrate their desire to pursue this major by writing a personal statement describing their professional goals.

Option 1: All students in the BSHS psychiatric rehabilitation track take 15 credits of core interdisciplinary studies (IDST) courses. Additionally, students with an A.S. or A.A. degree also take 45 credits of psychiatric rehabilitation coursework, including a 12-credit clinical practicum sequence in a psychiatric rehabilitation program.

Option 2: Students entering the BSHS psychiatric rehabilitation track program with SHP's associate of science degree in psychosocial rehabilitation and treatment (ASPSRT) take 15 additional credits of psychiatric rehabilitation coursework, including a core course in Case Management Approaches, and four upper-level electives that focus on wellness and recovery, career development, and aging in psychiatric rehabilitation. In addition, students choose an 18-21 credit IDST composite track in one of two areas: aging or health services management and education. ASPSRT graduates can complete all the BSHS requirements online. Currently those with other associate degrees take many of their courses online, however some are offered on either the Piscataway or Blackwood campuses.