Graduate Programs – Europe Counseling and Personnel Services (CAPS)

COURSE: EDCP 611: Career Development Theory and Programs

Instructor: J.  Alexander Boeringa, Ph.D., ABBP

Contact: aboering@faculty.ed.umuc.edu

Phone: 0160.9500.7336

Dates and Time: Term III:  at Heidelberg Jan.15 to March 7, 2002 --Tuesdays and Thursdays 18:45 to 21:00

Office Hours:  30 minutes before class time and by appointment

 COURSE MATERIALS:

Zunker, V. G. (2002). Career Counseling: Applied Concepts of Life Planning. (Sixth Edition). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Vocational Assessment Packet to include the Campbell, The Strong, and the Meyers-Briggs Type Inventory. Available the first night of class. Cost $17.50.

In addition this course will be Technologically Enhanced and a Web Board will be utilized which will require internet access and an e-mail account.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

  This course is designed to assist graduate students in Counseling and Personnel Services in their understanding of career development theory and research, the assessment of individual career development processes, and the techniques and skills necessary in the practical application of career counseling. It directly addresses the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related   Educational Programs (CACREP) common-core curriculum area of Career and Lifestyle Development. Career and vocational explorations, transitions and decisions are vital personal development processes and milestones in the lifespan of the adult. EDCP 611 presents a survey of career development theories and an examination of career development programs and research. The course will assist graduate students to understand the assessment of individual career development processes, and the techniques and skills necessary in the practical application of career counseling. Course focus will include the needs of special populations, settings for service delivery, and professional issues. A systematic investigation of both theoretical and practical topics will be facilitated through interviews, project assignments and guest presentations. This course will be of immense benefit to those students intending to pursue a career in career counseling as well as to those students interested in educational, mental health and substance abuse settings since the world of work is intertwined with all aspects of personal growth and development.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the course, students will:

1. Be able to understand, compare, and contrast the major vocational theories and how they impact on career decision-making, and the role of research in testing, refining, and implementing those theories;

2. Know when and how to apply specific theories and concepts to different professional situations and diverse populations including appropriate emphasis on cross-cultural and life span developmental considerations.

3. Understand and apply the process of career assessment to individual career development processes including the selection and utilization of relevant career assessment instruments;

4. Be experienced with some of the major sources of career guidance and counseling materials, both in print and on-line resources;

5. Develop appropriate entry-level competencies in acquiring, evaluating, and programming for the dissemination of career information and then assisting individuals in the process of making positive career, educational and occupational decisions.

EVALUATION:

 Due dates for assignments are listed in the course schedule.  Specific information regarding each assignment will be provided to all students well in advance of the due dates. In addition, personal communications with the instructor are encouraged at any stage of assignments for guidance. The final grade for the course will be based upon demonstrated student competence in the following areas for a total of 100 points:

1.     Class participation including the knowledge base and ability to discuss the assigned text and other readings e.g. Journals/Internet in a professional manner. 50 points

2.     Career counseling interviews, written reports and presentations. Two. 25 points

3.     Career resource center proposal.  Group Project. 25 points

 

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 90-100 points;  B =80-89;  C= 70-79;  D = 60-69;  F(a) below 60 

MAJOR COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

INTERVIEWS: Each interview will be with a person of a different age or cultural group and will follow the Interview sequence summarized in the Zunker book, pages 161 and 162 and throughout Chapter 5 as well as two additional sections as below:

V. Test Assessment results and discussion

VI Comments on your experience with this assignment regarding your impressions of your strengths as well as skill areas needing improvement.

Career Recourses Center Proposal:  This assignment will have you working along with other members of the class on a “Task Force” to create a detailed plan for the development of a Career Resource Center. Your plan should be comprehensive, specifying the target clientele to be served, services rendered, staffing patterns, resources needed, etc. The plan can be made for a "traditional" CRC or for a "virtual" CRC to be available via the Internet or for a combined technologically enhanced CRC.  Near the completion of the Term your Team will make a formal presentation to the rest of the class and be prepared to answer questions or defend your proposal based upon the theories and applications learned in the course.

INSTRUCTOR:

I was born in Chicago, served two years with the Army, received my BA from Hope College and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. I subsequently was awarded a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology (ABPP). My teaching includes having been an Assistant professor at the UT Medical School in Galveston and having taught as a part time adjunct faculty at several Colleges and Universities. For the past 10 years I was the Chief of Psychology Service at the Houston VA Medical Center. In addition to heading a large staff we had an APA Accredited Internship and Post-Doctoral Training Site as well as numerous Practicum Students. I participated in personal career counseling and related activities throughout the hospital and was the direct supervisor of a Counseling Psychology and Job Placement Section.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE TERM III

  EDCP 611: Career Development Theory and Programs

Instructor: J.  Alexander Boeringa, Ph.D., ABBP

SESSION    DATE       ZUNKER CHAPTER             TOPIC

 

1              15.01                                        INTRODUCTION

 

2              17.01                1 & 19               PERSPECTIVES

 

3              22.01                5 & 6                 INTERVIEWS

 

4              24.01                9                      COMPUTERS

 

5              29.01                2                      THEORIES 

 

6              31.01                3 & 4                 THEORIES AND MODELS

 

7              05.02                7 & 8                 ASSESSMENT    

 

8              07.02                10                     MULTICULTURAL

*                 08.02           FIRST ASSESSMENT DUE ON WEB BOARD

9              12.02                                        ASSESSMENT DISCUSION 1

 

10             14.02                11 TO 13           SPECIAL ISSUES

                                                               

11             19.02                14 & 15             SPECIAL ISSUES

 

12             21.02                16 TO 18           EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS

*                 22.02          SECOND ASSESSMENT DUE ON WEB BOARD

13             26.02                                        ASSESSMENT DISCUSION 2

 

14             28.02                20 & 21             ADULTS IN WORKFORCE

 

15             05.03                                        PROJECT REPORTS

 

16             07.03                                        PROJECT REPORTS

 

PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL READINGS IN JOURNAL ARTICLES; AND INTERNET ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE MADE AS RELEVANT.