Rehabilitation, Social Work & Addictions

Students who plan to declare a major in rehabilitation studies at UNT are encouraged to complete an application for admission. Enrollment in some upper level rehabilitation studies courses may be restricted to majors who are accepted into the program only, so admission typically occurs once a student declares the major of rehabilitation studies and completes the application process.

Admission process involves two steps:

1. Complete the admission requirements for the University of North Texas.

2. Complete an application for the Rehabilitation Studies program.

What  happens after submitting an application for the Rehabilitation Studies program?

Once the application form (step 2 above) is completed and uploaded to the website, they will be reviewed to ensure that the student meets the minimum qualifications. Upon acceptance into the program, students will develop a degree plan with the Rehabilitation Studies advisor and their major will be declared in the UNT EIS system.

Applications submitted during the fall semester will be used to admit for the following spring semester and applications submitted during the spring and summer semesters will be used to admit for the following fall semester. Your acceptance into the program will be determined by the following:

1. Overall Grade Point Average, with a 2.3 minimum.
2. Applicant’s written response to the following:
   
   • A statement of your career goals in the field of rehavilitation, including a description of how the degree in Rehabilitation Studies can help you reach those goals.
   • A description of any personal or professional experience you have had that you consider to be related to the field of rehabilitation.

An interview with rehabilitation studies faculty may be required of applicants. You will be notified if an interview needs to be scheduled. Students may submit letters of recommendation/support if they choose, but these are not required unless the student is transferring more than 3 credit hours from another rehabilitation studies program. In that case, a letter of recommendation from that program is required.


The application deadline is approximately 30 days after the beginning of the spring or fall semesters. Once the application deadline is passed, the full rehabilitation studies faculty will review the applications for admission. The student’s performance in relation to all of the criteria will be taken into consideration. The faculty as a whole will make a recommendation concerning each student’s formal admission to the program. The student will be assigned to one of the following statuses: 

1. Unconditional Admission: The student has satisfactorily completed all requirements for admission and is admitted to the program.
2. Conditional Admission: The student has substantially met the requirements for admission, with one or more of the following deficiencies:
   • The student has a GPA which falls slightly below the minimum requirements for admission, but recent work indicates that it will be above the minimum by the end of the semester in which they are enrolled at the time of application. 
   • The student has received a grade of “D” in no more than one rehabilitation studies or closely related (psychology, social work) course and the student is in the process of repeating that course. The grade must be raised to at least a “C” by the end of the semester in which they are enrolled at the time of application.
3. Denial of Admission: This status is given to applicants who do not meet the requirements for admission, have substantial general education deficiencies, and do not show evidence of the potential to meet those requirements by the time frames specified above. Students who are denied admission to the program will be assisted in accessing student services for the exploration of other career options. Students may reapply to the program only once. While generally not a reason for denial of admission to the UNT’s rehabilitation studies program, a criminal history could preclude you from obtaining State Licensure, being permitted to work in certain agencies as an intern, or being hired in certain agencies after obtaining the degree. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant information concerning the impact a criminal record could have on your ability to obtain the LCDC.

Students will receive notification of the status of their application within 30 days of the deadline for applications. Students who receive “conditional” admission will be clearly told of the deficiencies identified in the admission process.

The application review will examine the following:

1. Applicant’s demonstration of a beginning level of competence in interpersonal skills and self -awareness, including the ability to interact in positive, respectful, effective, and appropriate ways with faculty, staff and other students and of the impact of one’s own behavior on others. These competencies can be demonstrated in interactions with faculty and students inside and outside of classes and during faculty interviews with the student.
2. Applicant’s demonstration of responsible behavior in relation to meeting program and course requirements, including timely submission of high-quality work, using appropriate means for self-advocacy, keeping appointments and developing and adhering to an approved plan of study.

If you have any questions about these procedures or your status in the program, contact Dr. Brandi Darensbourg at brandi.darensbourg@unt.edu.