Programs

Undergraduate Programs

University Certificate: Career Development

Number of credits required from Athabasca University: 15 credits.

Maximum credit awarded in this program for prior learning through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes: 15 credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

In this program, students can expect to do the following.

Career Development Theory

Discuss each theory below by indicating its
- basic premises.
- major concepts and principles.
- origins.
- methods.
- contributions to clients and practitioners.
- limitations.
- practical applications, including its generality.
The theories include the following:
- trait and factor theory
- work adjustment theory
- Holland’s theory of types
- Super’s life-span theory
- social learning theory
- career decision-making theory
- Canadian career development theories
Illustrate how a practitioner can optimize his or her effectiveness by drawing on several theories at the same time.
Discuss their own personal beliefs and informal theory of career development in light of the existing theories in the field.
Assess a brief case history by illustrating how two different theories would address it.

Career Development Resources

Discuss the following attributes of career development resources:
- definition
- role
- factors to consider when identifying the source of resources
- classifying resources
- critiquing resources for the client, the client’s world and the work world
Illustrate the synthesis and integration of career development resource information through a documented case study.
Discuss the Internet’s role in career development as it relates to career development resources.
Discuss the approach of integrating career resources into the framework of career planning.

Working Alliance

Discuss the following features of a working alliance:
- definition and main components
- relationship to counselling
- influence of client and counsellor characteristics
- strategies for enhancement
- potential problems including role conflict and role ambiguity, and proposed solutions
Describe a taxonomy of skills for creating a working alliance and demonstrate the use of such skills.
Describe characteristics of an effective collaboration; identify the benefits of, and suggest key skills for developing, such a collaboration.
Outline a model for problem-solving and decision-making, and identify the purpose of each step and the skills associated with each.
Outline the stages of group development and the fundamental factors that enhance such a development.
With respect to partnerships, discuss the following: definition , applicable skills , relationship to the working alliance, collaboration, potential conflicts and the first meeting.

Professional Ethics

Define “profession” and give a list of professions.
Explain the place of moral reasoning in professional life, and apply moral reasoning in professional decision-making.
Discuss and critically evaluate different views on the roles, responsibilities and privileges of the professional.
Discuss different models of professional/client relationships.
Identify and analyze moral dilemmas and morally difficult decisions or practices for the professional.
Discuss “informed consent.”

Electives

Identify relevant courses to their particular situation in career development and complete them.
Research a topic in career development by
- relating it to personal and educational goals.
- creating a set of mutually agreed-upon learning outcomes and performance standards for the project in consultation with the course instructor.

Possible Career Options

Career development practitioners in private sector, educational institutions, social and employment service agencies, and business and industry.

Possible Further Education Options

At Athabasca University

These are not extensive lists. Some career and education options may require advanced degrees, further training or experience. For help identifying more options, visit http://www.athabascau.ca/counselling/.

For program information, visit http://www.athabascau.ca/programs/.

For contact information, visit http://www.athabascau.ca/misc/chairs.htm.

Updated March 25, 2009