Overview
In PSYC 300, learners will examine a number of career development theories with the intent of integrating aspects of the theories into their own work as career development practitioners. Students will be expected to learn about a number of career development theories and be able to reflect critically on the contributions and limitations of each one.
Career development is a major aspect of human development. It spans a lifetime and concerns the whole person. Career development is integral to a person's self-concept, family life, and all aspects of their environmental and cultural conditions. Career development is the interaction of psychological, sociological, economic, physical, and chance factors that shape the sequence of occupations and careers that people engage in throughout a lifetime.
Outline
The course consists of the following eight units.
- Unit 1: Introduction to Career Development Theory
- Unit 2: Person x Environment Fit Theories
- Unit 3: Lifespan Theories
- Unit 4: Special Focus Theories
- Unit 5: Constructivist Theories
- Unit 6: Socio-Cultural Theories
- Unit 7: Eclectic Theories
- Unit 8: An Integrated Theory of Career Development
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 300, you must complete all of the assignments and achieve an overall course composite grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Career Counselling Reflection Assignments (6 x 7.5% each) | 45% |
| Quizzes (2) | 15% |
| Final Paper Outline | 10% |
| Integrated Theory of Career Development Paper | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Sharf, R. S. (2013). Applying career development theory to counseling (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole / Cengage Learning.
Amundson, N. E., & Poehnell, G. R. (2004). Career pathways (3rd ed.). Richmond, BC: Ergon Communications.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Holland, J. L. (1994). Self-directed search assessment booklet: A guide to educational and career planning (Form R, 4th ed., Canadian ed.). Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Holland, J. L., & Messer, M. A. (2013). Self-directed search: The occupations finder (Form R, 5th ed.). Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Other materials
All of the Athabasca University materials are accessed from your online course site.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 300 challenge registration, you must answer all of the challenge exam questions fully, and achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the online examination.
| Activity | Weight |
| Online Examination | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form