Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Disability and Rehabilitation Services prepares students to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their personal, educational, vocational, and community goals. Grounded in values of self-determination, inclusion, and human dignity, graduates are equipped to work across a broad range of settings — from state vocational rehabilitation agencies and independent living centers to nonprofit disability services organizations, Veterans Administration programs, and disability advocacy groups.

The program is built around five interconnected areas of study: Advocacy & Policy, Employment Supports, Disability Studies, Business Practices, and Working with People. Together, these areas develop the professional knowledge, relational skills, and systems-level understanding needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Students have the opportunity to further personalize their degree through six optional emphasis and interest areas in Counseling, Advocacy, Youth Services, Healthcare, Deaf Culture, and Human Resources. The program also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling.

The program is housed within the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake. Through a federally funded Long-Term Training Grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Institute offers scholarship funding of up to $10,000 per semester for eligible students who commit to working in disability and rehabilitation services after graduation. U.S. citizenship is required for scholarship eligibility. There are no additional admission requirements beyond standard Drake undergraduate admission.

Graduates pursue careers in settings that qualify as approved employment under RSA guidelines, including:

• State and tribal vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies
• Veterans Administration rehabilitation and employment programs
• Nonprofit disability services organizations
• Community rehabilitation programs
• Independent living centers
• Disability advocacy organizations
• Community outreach and social service organizations

The degree also provides preparation for graduate study in rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling.

RSA LONG-TERM TRAINING GRANT SCHOLARSHIP

Eligible students may receive up to $10,000 per semester in scholarship and textbook stipend funds through a federal grant administered by the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake. Students who work in disability and rehabilitation services after graduation fulfill their commitment and the scholarship is fully forgiven. U.S. citizenship required. No fixed application deadline — students may apply at any time.
Contact: Dr. Matt Bruinekool, Director, National Rehabilitation Institute | Associate Professor of Counseling Education
matt.bruinekool@drake.edu  |  515-271-4507  |  drake.edu/rehabilitation

The major consists of 49 credit hours organized across five curriculum areas. Each area includes required courses and, where noted, one elective chosen from a list of approved options. General Education requirements are fulfilled through Drake's Curriculum; see Drake's General Education Requirements for details.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Advocacy and Policy
COUN 110	DISABILITY POLICY & ADA	3
Select two of the following:		6
ENG 069
SOC 146	RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
SOC 060	SOCIAL SERVICES, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY
POLS 150	HUMAN RIGHTS AND WORLD POLITICS
Employment Supports
COUN 120	OCCUP. INFORM & PROF. RESOURC	3
COUN 165	ADVANCED PLACEMENT	3
Select one of the following:		2-3
SOC 160	JOBS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INEQUALITY
SPED 176	COORDINATION OF COOPERATIVE OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAMS
Disability Studies
COUN 146	MEDICAL ASPECTS	3
PSY 076	ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY	3
HSCI 095	MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY	1
Business Practices
COUN 133	HUMAN RESOUCES FIELD WORK	3
LEAD 050	LEADERSHIP: THEORY TO PRACTICES	3
ENG 063	PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	3
Working with People
PSY 001	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	0-4
PSY 042	CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY	3
Select one of the following:		3
SPED 153	APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS POSITIVE
SPED 172	SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND DISABILITIES
COUN 192
Total Hours		39-44

In addition to programmatic requirements, students are responsible for satisfying all requirements of the Drake Curriculum, including Areas of Inquiry (AOI).

Student must also satisfy university graduation requirements for all undergraduate students.