UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services

UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services University of North Texas - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services More than 35 years later, this is a vibrant degree with over 175 majors.

History of the Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services

The Department has a rich history of providing quality rehabilitation education, research, training, and service. While the name has changed over the years, the commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities received excellent services from competent professionals has remained steadfast. Updating Practitioners

Established in 196

7 as the Center for Rehabilitation Studies (CRS), the primary purpose of the Center was to provide continuing education to rehabilitation facility personnel under a federally funded grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). While the type and venue of training provided has evolved over the years, UNT has been a leader in providing training to rehabilitation professionals since its inception. Texas WorkNet, funded by the Texas Developmental Disabilities Council (TDDC), began providing supported employment training to providers all over Texas in 1988. In 1990, UNT received a grant from RSA to provide supported employment training to providers in the five state region and in 1995, we collaborated with the University of Arkansas to develop the first Regional Continuing Education program for Community Providers. In 2008, we launched UNT WISE, a continuing education program for rehabilitation practitioners in a variety of settings. In 2010, DARS contracted with UNT WISE to develop online training that is required for all CRP vocational providers in Texas. In addition to that, we offer approximately 40 contact hours annually of continuing education through webinars and online courses on current topics in the field. Developing Competent Professionals

In 1972, RSA funded an undergraduate rehabilitation program at UNT. The original 18 hour semester program was initially listed as a psychology degree with a rehabilitation minor. In 1977, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved a Bachelor’s in Applied Arts and Sciences in Rehabilitation, and the first student graduated with this degree in August 1978. In 1998, we began offering a minor in addiction studies. This remains a strong emphasis in our academic program. In 1978, the Coordinating Board approved a Master’s in Rehabilitation Services Administration with major concentrations in vocational evaluation, work adjustment, and rehabilitation administration. A concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling was approved in 1980. In 1999, we entered into a Consortium for Distance Education in Rehabilitation (CDER) with San Diego State University and Georgia State and began offering one of the first fully online master’s programs in rehabilitation counseling in the U.S. To date, we have graduated over 500 master’s level students. We continue to have a strong on campus program as well as a challenging online program. Promoting Best Practices in Service

In 1975, CRS received funding from the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, TRC, (now Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, DARS), to renovate Oak Street Hall to provide a hands-on laboratory for students involved in the rehabilitation academic programs. As state-of-the-art Vocational Evaluation Center was developed as well as a work adjustment program. In 1988, UNT received a grant from TDDC to begin offering supported employment services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. In 1989, TRC, provided start-up money to develop the first supported employment program for individuals with psychiatric disabilities in the state. In 1990, CRS received funding for a Project with Industry grant that was designed to provide employment assistance to individuals 55 and over who had some type of disability. The grant continued until 1995 when funding was limited to large metropolitan areas. We began offering biofeedback training in 1998 and in 1992, the Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse provided start-up money for neurofeedback research and training for those with substance abuse and other disabilities. Subsequently, the department’s Neurotherapy Lab became nationally known for its educational and clinical programs in Neurofeedback. In 2009, Meadows Foundation provided seed money for Job Fit, an employment program to assist persons with psychiatric disabilities. Job Fit continues today on a fee for service basis with funding from DARS and private pay. Research and Knowledge Translation

Throughout its history, the department has been involved in cutting edge research that will enhance services for people with disabilities. However, the focus has always been on including the end user while ensuring a holistic approach. Research has been conducted on the impact of biofeedback/neurofeedback, wellness, supported employment, multiculturalism, professionalism, transition, and psychiatric rehabilitation, just to name a few topics.

Dear Students,Are you interested in studying abroad during your undergraduate or graduate program? Have you wanted to ex...
06/01/2026

Dear Students,
Are you interested in studying abroad during your undergraduate or graduate program? Have you wanted to experience Incredible India and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World? Do you want to learn how trauma and mental health services are provided in a developing nation? If so, we hope you will consider being a part of an upcoming low-cost study abroad course in India being offered by Dr. Sharma in the department of Rehabilitation and Health Services and Dr. Contractor in the Department of Psychology. The course will provide you with 3 credit hours towards a graduate elective (RHAB 5900) or an upper-level undergraduate elective (RHAB 4900). Doctoral students are also invited to apply! The course will be conducted over Wintermester 2026-27 with dates between December 26th to Jan 10th 2027. It is an excellent way to get course credit while traveling to a new country across just 2 weeks of the holiday break.

The course offers a rich cultural learning experiences from touring ancient historic sites, engaging with modern day city learning about prevention and intervention services pertaining to trauma and mental health supports provided by public and nonprofit organizations. Students will observe the impact of cultural and societal attitudes on the experience of trauma, access to services, and the overall process of psychosocial adaptation of trauma survivors. Students will engage in site visits with local governmental and non-governmental groups while visiting three major north Indian cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. This study abroad course will help students develop an understanding of the broad economic, political, social and cultural dimensions influencing mental health in India and allow them to make comparisons with services in the U.S. Students will gain opportunities to investigate factors that impact the help-seeking behaviors of Indian populations with special needs such as women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly, especially in the context of the cultural and social norms prevalent in India. In addition, students will visit popular historic landmarks in the cities of New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur (in North India).

Two scholarships/grants totaling approximately $1750 dollars are available to most students who apply through the study abroad portal. While one of these is the $1250 UNT International Scholarship that requires no special eligibility, the other is a need-based grant in the amount of $500 available to students who have a FAFSA on file. Financial aid may also be used towards paying the course tuition! Moreover, children or spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel are eligible to apply for the $5000 Gilman McCain study abroad scholarship!

The course is open to undergraduate as well as graduate students in all majors but spots are limited! The deadline to complete your application and make a $100 deposit is September 13th, 2026. The $200 program deposit is due two weeks after that. These two deposits secure your spot in the course. All other program fees are due by the usual due dates for the Spring 2026 semester.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Sharma or Dr. Contractor via email send to [email protected] or [email protected], see the attached flyer and visit the Study Abroad Office’s website for this course by clicking here:
https://mystudyabroad.unt.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=14268

Thank you!

05/21/2026
05/13/2026

Join us May 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Wine A Little in McKinney (7560 State Hwy 121 Suite 150, McKinney, TX 75070) for — a monthly event brought to you by the UNT Alumni Association. This month, they're bringing together alumni from our college. We can't wait to see you there! Learn more and register: https://untalumni.com/events/wine-down-wednesday/

05/11/2026

Thanks to UNT ELEVAR graduate program, one student will have fulfilled a dream he didn’t know was possible. NBC 5’s Noelle Walker talks to Jaylen Walker about his path to graduation.

05/11/2026

, UNTHPS grads! You make us Proud! We're excited to see what the future holds for you.

05/11/2026
05/08/2026

, UNTHPS grads! You did it! You have your PhDs now!! We can't wait to see the difference you make in this world!

04/13/2026

Come join our team! The Access Coordinator position is a crucial position for our office.

Posting Link: https://buff.ly/KHktI5M

04/10/2026

Address

410 Avenue C, Chilton Hall 218
Denton, TX
76203

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19405652488

Website

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