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
Sharf, R. S. (2013). Applying career development theory to counseling (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole / Cengage Learning. (eText)
Amundson, N. E., & Poehnell, G. R. (2004). Career pathways (3rd ed.). Richmond, BC: Ergon Communications. (eText)
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. (Print)
Holland, J. L., & Messer, M. A. (2013). Self-directed search: The occupations finder (Form R, 5th ed.). Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources. (Print)
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.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.