A Mixed-Methods Case Study of an Online Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Certificate Program

This case study employed a mixed-methods, convergent parallel design to explore how a forensic rehabilitation counseling (FRC) certificate program provides the unique multidisciplinary training necessary for the development of competent and qualified forensic rehabilitation counselors. Quantitative methods were used to measure the difference in pre- and post-program earnings and the frequency of providing expert witness testimony before and after the program. Qualitative methods were used to describe FRC program graduates’ motivations for enrollment and post-program career trajectories. Additionally, participants described their experience of the interactions between student- to-student, student-to-instructor, and student-to-content. An analysis of the data revealed that after completion of the program, salary increases were not statistically significant. However, economically, an average salary increase of approximately $10,000 after completing the FRO program indicates significant income gi·owth. Similarly, frequency of expert testimony did not statistically significantly increase. However, students served as expert witnesses more frequently after the program as compared to before the program. Participants described their motivation for enrollment as being related to the specialized nature of the training and the involvement of the University’s law school. Participants, on average, received job promotions or were hired in higher-level professional roles after completion of the program. Students identified the role of student-to-instructor interaction as a primary component of their satisfaction with the program.