Lecture: 4 hours/week
Lectures will anchor instruction. Other methods may include: Audio-visual demonstrations, student self- assessment, case studies, guest speakers, small group activities, group discussions, behavioural rehearsal, videos, and computer simulations.
- Major theoretical models underlying vocational assessment and counselling, including historical overview, such as Trait & Factor Theories, Developmental Theories, Social Learning & Cognitive Theory and Constructionist/Constructivist Theories of Careers
- Vocational counselling relationship and process, including guidelines for ethical practice
- Role of assessment in career counselling as well as analysis of internal and external variables related to work, career decision-making, and plan development
- Vocational counselling with special populations characterized by age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, linguistic, special needs or disability variables
- Application of vocational counselling in specific settings
At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Describe and discuss the basic tenets of major theoretical models underlying vocational counselling.
- Identify and analyze essential features of effective career counselling.
- Discuss the role of assessment in facilitating career decision making, including sources of bias in assessment.
- Outline effective procedures for problem clarification and goal formulation related to career counselling.
- Discuss the application of relevant ethical principles.
- Describe the considerations accruing to diversity and multicultural counselling, as well as application to special populations and settings.
The course evaluation will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Evaluations will be based on the course objectives. The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Students may conduct research with human participants as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving human subjects.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Discusssion and class contribution - 10%
Quizzes - 15%
Application exercises - 10%
Exams - 2 at 20% each - 40%
Written assignment - 25%
Total - 100%
Textbook(s) such as the following, the list to be updated periodically:
- Harris-Bowlsbey, J.G., & Niles, S.G. Career Development Interventions (current ed.). Pearson Canada.