American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Niles, S.G., and Harris-Bowlsbey, J.  (2004). Career Development Interventions in the 21st Century. (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/library/.  The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available.  The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students’ research and writing skills.

Two standardized assessment instruments that students can
take online and that are reflective of what they may encounter in a school or testing center will be available for credit card payment, costing under $30.  These are:
1. The Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS), a Campbell Development Survey from Pearson Assessments http://www.pearsonassessments.com/tests/ciss.htm; and
2. The Self-Directed Search by Dr. John Holland http://www.self-directed-search.com/payment.html.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of career development as it impacts on individuals throughout the life span. A basic assumption of the course is that understanding the adjustment of individuals is highly dependent upon understanding the choices they have made throughout their lives. Emphasis is placed on career and vocational choice theories, counseling delivery systems, career information, and social and psychological factors in career decision-making. Formal and informal occupational classification systems are covered. A great deal of emphasis is placed on practical applications of career theory to individual counseling, group guidance, job search and placement, and career adjustment. As this course replaces GUCO 508, students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GUCO 608, GUCO 508 or EDCP 611.

The course focuses on theory and the development of skills needed to offer career counseling. The class examines the developmental and longitudinal changes people experience in a life span. Information is provided on service delivery models, application of counseling skills, and discussion of key professional issues. The course provides opportunities for students to administer, score, and interpret select career assessment instruments.

• Understand, compare, and contrast the different theories of career development through their own life and through the journey of others.
• Understand and apply the process of assessment to their own career development.
• Understand cultural and cross-cultural issues related to career development and career counseling.
• Identify resource information systems for career guidance and counseling which will include on-line computer resources.
• Develop appropriate entry-level skills and strategies to assist individuals in educational, occupational, and career decision making.
• Develop appropriate entry-level competencies in acquiring, evaluating, and programming for the dissemination of career information.
• Understand the role of current research that refines, and updates theories of career development.
• Develop an enhanced self-awareness of personal strengths, interests, and abilities.
• Be familiar with legal and ethical issues in career counseling.

Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:

   A    90 - 100%
   B    80 – 89%
   C    70 – 79%
   F    69% and Below

Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade "F" is used to designate academic failure. "FN" is used to designate failure for non-completion.  Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available in your local Education Center or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs.

Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society.

In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:

Participate in classroom discussions...............................10%

Write a Career Development Theory Analysis Paper...................20%

Give a Presentation based on Career Development Theory Analysis Paper..............................................................20%

Complete a Career Intervention Paper and Presentation..............20%

Complete a written final exam......................................30%

Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the onsite classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an eight-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most ten-week graduate distance education courses require at least ten hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.

1. Class Participation:
You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.

2. Career Development Theory Analysis Paper:
A 6-8 page paper in which you apply at least two theories discussed in class (they should represent different perspectives) or referenced in your readings to your own career development. You will included at least three recent professional journal articles in your work. Explain your rationale for selecting the theories and discuss the constructs that are meaningful for you as you reflect on your own career choices and experiences. Identify limitations to the theories you have selected as they apply to your own case and make recommendations for developing the theories further. Include some reflective thoughts (1p) on the theory's strengths and shortcomings viewed within the context of this exercise. The paper must adhere to APA style and format.

You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of coursework from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. APA style is mandatory for all graduate counseling course work. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level work.

3. Presentation Based on Career Development Theory Analysis Paper:
Each student will give a brief (approximately 20-30 minutes) presentation using his/her career development theory analysis paper as its basis. Each student will discuss the extent to which the theories explain some of his/her experiences or enable a deeper understanding of his/her career development. Include any limitations that were noticed when applying a particular theory. Use and describe various career assessment instruments to generate personal data to add to the pool of information. Part of your assessment should include the use of O*NET and other available sources for formal assessment. Include your reaction to the instruments you used and discuss your willingness to use them with your clients and how it applies to your personal career development.

4. Career Intervention Paper and Presentation:
You will be part of a group and will be assigned a chapter from the Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey text in one of the following topics: Career Development Interventions in Elementary School, Career Development Interventions in Middle and High Schools, Career Development Interventions in Higher Education, or Career Development Interventions in Community Settngs. You will present this topic to your classmates on the day assigned. Your presentation will consist of:
a. a 2-5 page summary of main points of interventions for this population to be distributed in class.
b. a brief oral discussion the important points and issues for this topic.
c. a demonstration using 1-2 career exercises appropriate to your population
d. class participation and discussion. Allow time for feedback from the class at the end of your presentation.
Presentations should take approximately one hour and 15 minutes, including exercise(s), discussion and feedback
CREATIVITY IN PRESENTING IS EXPECTED. (Ideas that might be used include a Jeopardy style game; “Who Wants to Choose A Career?”; Career Survivor; use of PowerPoint; video; radio interview; Oprah-style show; etc.)

5. Final Examination
The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used in this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.

Note: Any written assignment in this course may be submitted to TurnItIn.Com. This statement constitutes prior notice.

The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."

Course Withdrawal: The last day to withdraw from a DE course is Friday before the last full week of the course. The last day to withdraw from an on-site course is the last business day before the last class meeting.

Students with disabilities should contct:

Director of Student Services
UMUC-Europe, UNIT 29216
APO AE 09102
Or:  Im Bosseldorn 30, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: +49-6221-378-299
Email: edstudent_svc@ed.umuc.edu

Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:

Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities

Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center.