Graduate Counselling and Applied Psychology (GCAP) 645
Foundations of Career Development (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
Delivery Mode: Paced study; online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Graduate Studies
Prerequisite: None
Faculty: Faculty of Health Disciplines
Overview
In this course, students will explore fundamental principles that guide contemporary practices in career development. The course focuses on major theories and models of career choice and development and related research. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of theory with career counselling practice. Selected course readings and assignments will allow students to develop a broad understanding of the roles of career counsellors and the major concepts and principles that guide effective career interventions.
Outline
The course is divided into 13 weekly lessons, structured as follows.
- Lesson 1: Theories provide a foundation for effective career development practices.
- Lesson 2: The world of work is changing and career development practices need to keep pace.
- Lesson 3: Career development involves personal development over the lifespan.
- Lesson 4: There is more to career development than matching people and environments.
- Lesson 5: Life transitions make career development issues a priority.
- Lesson 6: Increasing cultural diversity requires adapting career development theories and practices.
- Lesson 7: People's beliefs about careers impact their choices.
- Lesson 8: Careers are meaningful when people have opportunities to express personal values.
- Lesson 9: Careers are constructions of life.
- Lesson 10: Systems approaches integrate individual and environmental influences on careers.
- Lesson 11: Chance can override the best of career plans.
- Lesson 12: Career counselling needs to be grounded in ethical practices.
- Lesson 13: Designing a personal theory of career development provides a blueprint for professional practice.
Course Evaluation
To receive credit for GCAP 645, students must submit all of the course assignments. The passing grade for the course is B- (70%). The assessment structure for GCAP 645: Foundations of Career Development is based on the following course activities, with the percentage weighting of each activity as indicated. Your final grade for the course will be a composite mark based on your performance in these course activities.
| Course Activity | Weight |
|---|---|
| Participation in Online Discussions (Grouped Study) or Reflective Journal (Independent Study) | 20% |
| Assignment 1: Critique of Theory | 20% |
| Assignment 2: Your Personal Theory of Career Development | 40% |
| Assignment 3: Competency Assessment | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Course Materials
Course Reader
A print-based reading file is provided upon registration in the course.
Other Materials
All other materials are available to students online.
Other Information
Students with a disability, who require academic accommodation, need to register with the Access to Students with Disabilities Centre at Athabasca University. Notification of the need for academic accommodation must normally be provided to the program office no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of class. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Disability Centre to request academic accommodation if required and to notify the instructor that such accommodation has been requested. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate individual student needs. However, because GCAP courses are paced, all student are required to participate weekly in the online discussion forums. There are also several courses where online exams are required.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Opened in Revision 1, January 2009.