ORANGEBURG, S.C. – SC State University is the recipient of four federally funded training grants totaling $3.75 million over the next five years. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, the funding supports scholars in the graduate rehabilitation counseling program, a nationally recognized, award-winning degree program at SC State. The rehabilitation counseling program received the federal funding to assist graduate students who are interested in working with clients with disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and vocational placement issues.
Dr. David Staten, ‘92, ’94, professor of rehabilitation counseling and chair of the Department of Human Services, serves as principal investigator of two newly awarded Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Grants, totaling $2 million over the next five years. Dr. Cassandra Conway, who is a professor and coordinator of the rehabilitation counseling program, will also assist as grant project faculty to train scholars.
“These newly awarded grants and others provide huge benefits to graduate students and the Rehabilitation Counseling program, alike. We are pleased to be able to attract and recruit the best and brightest students through these grants and others within our program,” says Staten.
“We primarily like to provide opportunities locally and also recruit students from across the state and other locations as well,” he notes.
Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten, ’96, and Dr. Michelle Maultsby, associate professor of rehabilitation counseling, serves as co-principal investigators of the Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Grants, both totaling $1.75 million. The awarding of the new grants will allow students enrolled in the master’s rehabilitation counseling degree program to receive free tuition, monthly stipend and professional development opportunities during the 2015-2020 academic years.
These training grants are used to assist in increasing the numbers of rehabilitation counselors trained in providing vocational, medical, social and mental health services to individuals with disabilities, including veterans.
Each scholarship recipient commits to working in a state-federal rehabilitation program upon graduation. Of these grants, 75 percent of the funds will be used to support graduate students in the program by paying their full tuition and fees, professional development activities and a cost of living stipend. The university will benefit directly from these grants by receiving tuition funds for over 20 students per year.
South Carolina State’s rehabilitation counseling program has a long history of being awarded federal grants to support scholarships for graduate students. In the past 12 years, the rehabilitation counseling program has been awarded $11.75 million in federal funding.
The motivation exhibited through the rehabilitation counseling faculty when writing their grants comes from their desire to ensure graduate students receive the highest quality education. Federal funding has benefited over 150 SC State graduate students that received full scholarships, monthly stipend and professional development travel.
“The feedback we have received regarding the grants has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Staten. “Not only have students received scholarships, but after they graduate, they have been able to obtain jobs as counselors, working with state and federal agencies and working with veterans with disabilities. Many of our students have gone on to pursue PhDs as well, to include enrolling in doctoral programs at the University of Iowa, Southern Illinois University, Pennsylvania State, Florida State and many other universities.”
Available Scholarships
The Rehabilitation Counseling program seeks scholars who are willing to devote a minimum of two years of graduate preparation to develop a mastery of knowledge and skills as requisite for rehabilitation counselors’ competencies.
Students seeking admission into the program must first meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and subsequently the rehabilitation counseling program. The program is currently accepting applications for fall 2016 semester.
Rehabilitation Services Administration/U.S Department of Education scholarship applicants must submit:
1. 1. Evidence of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25
2. 2. Three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field
3. 3. A completed scholarship application and documentation of full admission into the SC State University Graduate School and rehabilitation counseling program.
A highly competitive scholarship, selected finalists are required to interview with the scholarship committee prior to being awarded. To apply for a scholarship, contact persons below:
Scholarship #1: For vocational rehabilitation counselors currently working in the state/federal vocational rehabilitation system seeking a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, call Dr. David Staten at (803) 516-4917.
Scholarship #2: For graduate students seeking a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, call Dr. David Staten at (803) 516-4917.
Scholarship #3: For graduate students seeking a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, call Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten at (803) 516-4765 or Dr. Michelle Maultsby at (803) 536-8908.
Scholarship #4: For graduate students seeking a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, call Dr. Michelle Maultsby at (803) 536-8908 or Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten at (803) 516-4765.
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Founded in 1896 as a land grant institution with a mission of providing service to the citizens of the state, South Carolina State University has evolved from a small teachers’ college into a major University center of learning and research. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., with a student population of some 3,000, South Carolina State offers more than 50 different fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels. South Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools.
