Rehabilitation Counseling Program ranks nationally

by Tom Uribes

The university's Rehabilitation Counseling Program recently was ranked 27th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

The news was announced by Dr. Paul Shaker, dean of the School of Education and Human Development, during activities observing the program's 30th anniversary.

"The program is being rewarded for demonstrating a clear sense of purpose and a humane, personal approach in its philosophy of rehabilitation," Shaker said.

The ranking recognizes the Fresno State Rehabilitation Counseling Program as an outstanding course of study for working with people with disabilities.

"The No. 27 ranking is the first time the program has cracked the rankings in its 29-year history," said Charles Arokiasamy, coordinator of program, and one of a two-member faculty team. The other faculty member in the program is Dr. Bud Stude, who has been with the program since it began in 1971, and who will be retiring next year.

"We do whatever is necessary to get people with disabilities back into the mainstream of life like everybody else," Arokiasamy said. "But we don't only work with people with disabilities. We also help the larger community better understand and change its prejudices and discriminatory practices that keep people with disabilities out."

Sixty-four university programs were listed in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. San Diego State University was the only other California program to rank higher than Fresno State's.

Shaker said some of the reasons Fresno State's program has gained national attention include stature of the faculty, national awards won by students and the program's growth. The program - which has tripled its size in the last two years - expects future growth in enrollment from out-of-state and international students.

Also, a clinic operated by the A clinic operated by the program has grown six-fold. The clinic has earned a reputation for expertise in providing vocational evalua-tion for non-English speaking people, Shaker said.

About 60 students are enrolled in the pro-gram which graduates about 25 each year to work with employers such as the California Department of Rehabilitation, Worker's Compensation offices, California Regional Councils and the Veteran's Administration as well as universities and colleges, group homes, job placement agencies, hospitals, school systems and evaluation centers.

Future plans for the program include developing the bilingual and substance tracks to supplement an existing generalist program and seeking funding for a job placement practicum that will the only one of its kind in the country. Arokiasamy also said the program is working collaboratively with other departments on campus to establish a Disability Studies Institute within the next five years.

Other future plans include creating an innovative web site, expanding research, revising of all manuals and comprehensive exams and developing new scholarship opportunities.

The national rankings will be released in the May issue of the U.S. News and World Report; a preview is available at the magazine's website, http://www.usnews.com/.