Scope and Content Note
This collection documents the development, curricula, and research of the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education from 1956 to 1977. Included are proposals for new degrees, grant proposals, and meeting minutes of curricular committees. It also documents Dr. Reuben Margolin's involvement with external organizations locally and nationally. The collection is organized into two series. Series 1. Administration contains information about the operation and activities of the department. Budgets, committee records, faculty information, and program proposals make up this series. Series 2. Subject Files documents the relationship between the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education and outside organizations, focusing on Dr. Margolin's professional activities and research interests. Included in this series are multiple writings by Dr. Margolin and correspondence between the department and other organizations. The decline of Vocational Rehabilitation Administration Regional Research Institute is illustrated in the National Rehabilitation Administration records in Series 2.
Dates
- Creation: 1956-1977
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1967-1976
Creator
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is unrestricted.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.
Historical Note
On November 1, 1963, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration Regional Research Institute (VRARRI) opened at Northeastern University. With a grant of over $48,000 from the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, research directors, Dr. Reuben Margolin and Dr. George Goldin, headed Vocational Rehabilitation Administration Regional Research Institute. The institute was created in order to further research, educate future professionals, and assist state and private rehabilitation groups in providing adequate care for patients. After receiving over $250,000 in research grants and publishing three studies by 1966, VRARRI joined with rehabilitation-focused academic programs in the College of Education to create the new Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education. Dr. Margolin served as the first director and the Department began to train educators who would be prepared to teach children with learning, emotional, and physical disorders. The Department offered undergraduate and graduate programs. By 1971, there were two graduate-level degrees available to students: the Master of Education degree and the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. The Master's degree offered numerous specializations, including teaching the emotionally disturbed and vocational rehabilitation administration. The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study was offered in counseling and educational administration, among other areas.
After 1980 when the College of Education merged with the Bouvé College of Human Development Professions, the Department continued to offer undergraduate and graduate programs. In 1984, the department was renamed the Department of Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation, and Special Education. In 1999, the School of Education was moved to the College of Arts and Sciences and began to offer undergraduate and graduate programs in Special Education. The Department of Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation, and Special Education remained in Bouvé College but the Special Education component was eliminated in 2003.
Extent
2.35 cubic feet (3 containers)
Language
English
Overview
Northeastern University's Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education was formed in 1966 as a result of the growing need for specialized educators. The Vocational Rehabilitation Administration Regional Research Institute at Northeastern University and rehabilitation-related academic degree programs were combined to form the Department within the College of Education. Under the first director, Dr. Reuben J. Margolin, the Department trained educators of children with learning, emotional, and physical disorders. In 1980, the Department became part of the Bouvé College of Human Development Professions. In 1984, the Department was renamed the Department of Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation, and Special Education. In 1999, the School of Education began to offer undergraduate and graduate programs in special education, so by 2003 the special education component was eliminated and the Department renamed the Department of Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation.
Overview
This collection documents the development, curricula, and research of Northeastern University's Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education from 1956 to 1977. The collection also contains materials relating to the Department's operation and its interactions with other organizations. Included are proposals for degree programs, research proposals, committee records, faculty vitae, correspondence, and program information.
System of Arrangement:
Organized into 2 series: 1. Administration and 2. Subject Files.
Physical Location
32/1
Subject
- Title
- Finding aid for the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education Records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Ellen Lassiter
- Date
- June 2004
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository