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WWU’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program ranked 13th nationally by US News

Program jumps six places since last year's ranking, claims top spot in Pacific Northwest

by Mikayla King

WWU Communications

WWU’s Rehabilitation Counseling was recently ranked as the top program in the Pacific Northwest and tied for 13th best program in the nation by US News. The program now ranks second on the West Coast behind only San Diego State University.  

The Rehabilitation Counseling master's degree program focuses on training the next generation of counselors to help clients with physical, sensory, mental, developmental, cognitive and emotional disabilities on their journey toward self-determination, independence, meaningful employment and full community participation.  

“The jump in rating clearly reflects the hard work and dedication of the rehabilitation counseling faculty and staff and shows our commitment to supporting our graduate students as well as alumni,” Program Director Elizabeth Boland said. “It also reflects the important work that our students and alumni are doing to support individuals with disabilities in their communities. By being able to offer the hybrid RC program in Everett, we can serve students from a wide geographic location to increase the impact of our collective work. I am honored to lead this group of amazing faculty, staff, students and alumni.” 

Woodring College of Education Dean Kevin Roxas said the ranking is a reflection of the high-quality education the program offers.  

“This ranking is wonderful because it is national recognition as to the high quality and outstanding delivery of a Rehabilitation Counseling degree program in our region,” he said.  “It also speaks to the incredible work of our faculty to provide a curriculum that is immediately relevant to the field, and that provides instruction that is engaged, highly interactive, and connected to the real-life work that rehabilitation counselors do out in the field!  Congratulations to all of the members of the community in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program!” 

Learn more about the Rehabilitation Counseling program and how to enroll on the program’s webpage. 

Mikayla King (‘17) covers the College of Science and Engineering and Woodring College of Education for University Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at kingm24@wwu.edu.