Required Textbook
Sharf, Richard (1997). Applying Career Development Theory to Counseling (2^nd, ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Course Description
Prerequisite: Open as an elective to all graduate majors. An introduction to the theories and implementation of the career choice process. Emphasis is placed on the nature and use of educational-occupational information in assisting individuals to explore the world of work and develop meaningful career plans. The course includes lab experiences consisting of administering, scoring, and interpreting career inventories. Students also learn about computer assisted career development including the Georgia Career Information System.

College of Education Conceptual Framework Propositions:
The following are Valdosta State College of Education Conceptual Framework Propositions:
Proposition 1: Graduates are committed to their roles as helping professionals.
Proposition 2: Graduates are capable of excellence in their professional practice.
Proposition 3: Graduates think systematically about their practice, use research, and contribute knowledge base.
Proposition 4: Graduates are members of learning communities.

M.S. Clinical Counseling Outcome Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of salient sociological aspects of career development. (COE-3)
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of prominent theories of vocational development. (COE-2,3)
3. Students will apply theories of vocational development to counseling practice (COE-2)
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of occupational classification systems and trends in the world of work. (COE-2)
5. Students will become aware of several career-related inventories. (COE-3)
6. Students will explore and demonstrate some understanding of their own career development patterns. (COE-1)

1. apply of career development theories and decision-making models; (COE-2, CACREP 4.a.)
2. describe career, avocational, educational, occupational and labor market information resources, visual and print media, computer-based career information systems and other electronic career information; (COE-2, CACREP 4.b.)
3. demonstrate career development program planning, organization, implementation, administration, and evaluation; (COE-2, CACREP 4.c )
4. state the interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors including diversity and gender issues as related to career development; (COE-2, CACREP 4.d)
5. develop career development and educational placement, follow-up and evaluation strategies; (COE-3, CACREP 4.e.)
6. utilize assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision-making; (COE-2, CACREP 4.f)
7. demonstrate computer career development applications and strategies, including computer-assisted career guidance and information systems and appropriate world-wide web sites; (COE-2, CACREP 4.g)
8. demonstrate career counseling processes, techniques and resources including those applicable to specific populations. (COE-2,CACREP 4.g.)

Activities:

1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Case studies
4. Group exercises
5. Movies
6. Practice assessments
7. Computer-assisted career assessments
8. Practice interviews

Career Assessment: You will conduct a career assessment on another student in the class and write a professional assessment report based on the results of the measurement instruments.

Career Interview: You will also interview a professional in the area of career counseling and write a brief (2 page) report stating what you learned about the field of career counseling.

Career Counseling Center: You will develop a career counseling center addressing each item on the attached outline for the center. You will select the population that the center will serve, determine the goals, objectives, and methods to meet goals.

Career Counseling Issues for Special Populations Presentation: In pairs you will select a special population (disabled, chronic illness, blind, women, minorities, etc.) and provide the class with information about career issues and interventions for this particular population. An outline for the presentation is attached.

Exam I and Exam II: There will be two examinations. The presentation will count as a final examination.
 

Grading Criteria
Career Assessment 20%
Career Interview 10%
Career Counseling Center 20%
Exam I 15%
Exam II 15%
Final = Presentation 20%
 

Attendance Policy
VSU policy requires class attendance. Class roll will be taken at each class meeting. Changes in class calendar will be announced in class.
 

Instructor
Teddi Cunningham, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Psychology, Counseling and Guidance
Office: Psychology Building
Telephone: 259-5079 or 333-5930
Office Hours: Monday 9-12, 4-5 Tuesday 1-3,
Wednesday 9-11, and Thursday 9-11
Or by appointment
 

Schedule

8/24 Syllabus
Movie

8/31 Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Trait and Factor Theories

9/7 Chapter 3: Work Adjustment Theory

9/14 Chapter 4: Holland’s Theory of Types

9/21 Chapter 6: Introduction to Super’s Life-Span Theory
Chapter 7: Career Development in Childhood
Career Interview report due

9/28 Chapter 8: Adolescent Career Development

10/5 Exam I

10/12 Chapter 9: Late Adolescent and Adult Career Development
Chapter 10: Adult Career Crises and Transitions

10/19 Chapter 11: Psychodynamic Approaches to Career Development
Chapter 12: Parental Influence Theories

10/26 Chapter 13: Social Learning Theory
Career Assessment due
Chapter 5: Myers-Briggs Type Theory

11/2 Chapter 14: Career Decision-making Theory
Chapter 15: The Labor Market: Sociological and Economic Perspectives

11/9 Exam II

11/16 Presentations – paper due when you present

11/23 Thanksgiving Break

11/29 Presentations

12/7 Presentations – paper due when you present
Career Counseling Center Paper due

Valdosta State University, in accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability. If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to advise the instructor. Additionally, if you are not registered with Special Services Programs, you must contact the Special Services Office in Nevens Hall, or call 245-2498.
 
 

M.S. Clinical Counseling

Outcome Objective Activities Assessment
 

Students will demonstrate an understanding of salient sociological aspects of career development. (COE-3)	Lecture Discussion Group exercises Movies	Career Counseling Center Exam II Presentation Career Interview
Students will demonstrate knowledge of prominent theories of vocational development. (COE-2,3)	Lecture Discussion Practice Interviews Case Studies	Exam I Exam II Career Assessment
Students will apply theories of vocational development to counseling practice (COE-2)	Group Exercises Lecture Discussion Case Studies	Exam I Exam II Career Assessment Presentation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of occupational classification systems and trends in the world of work. (COE-2)	Lecture Discussion Case Studies Practice Assessments Computer Assessments	Career Assessment Exam II Presentation Career Counseling Center
Students will become aware of several career-related inventories. (COE-3)	Lecture Discussion Group Exercises Practice Assessments Computer Assessments	Exam II Career Assessment Career Counseling Center
Students will explore and demonstrate some understanding of their own career development patterns (COE-1)	Lecture Discussion Group Exercises	Career Assessment

 

M.Ed. in School Counseling
 

Outcome Objective	Activity	Assessment
apply of career development theories and decision-making models; (COE-2, CACREP 4.a.)	Lecture Discussion Case Studies Group Exercises	Exam I Exam II Presentation Career Assessment
Describe career, avocational, educational, occupational and labor market information resources, visual and print media, computer-based career information systems and other electronic career information; (COE-2, CACREP 4.b.)	Lecture Discussion Group Exercises	Exam II Career Assessment Career Counseling Center
Demonstrate career development program planning, organization, implementation, administration, and evaluation; (COE-2, CACREP 4.c.)	Lecture Discussion Group Activities	Career Counseling Center Presentation Exam II
state the interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors including diversity and gender issues as related to career development; (COE-2, CACREP 4.d)	Lecture  Discussion Case Studies Movies Group Exercises	Exam I Exam II Presentation Career Counseling Center
develop career development and educational placement, follow-up and evaluation strategies; (COE-3, CACREP 4.e.)	Lecture Discussion Case Studies	Career Counseling Center Presentation Career Interview
Utilize assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision-making; (COE-2, CACREP 4.f)	Lecture Practice Assessments Computer Assessments Practice Interviews	Career Assessment Career Counseling Center Presentation
demonstrate computer career development applications and strategies, including computer-assisted career guidance and information systems and appropriate world-wide web sites; (COE-2, CACREP 4.g)	Computer Assessments	Career Assessment Presentation
demonstrate career counseling processes, techniques and resources including those applicable to specific populations. (COE-2,CACREP 4.g.)	Practice Assessments Practice Interviews Case studies	Exam I Exam II Career Interview Career Assessment Presentation

1. Title of Career Center
2. Agency Description

1. Agency setting
2. Target Population

1. Goal
2. Equipment and materials on hand at the agency
3. Materials and equipment to be purchased
4. Objectives
5. Methods and materials to meet objectives – must include

 

 

Internet resources

6. Grants available
7. Budget – Your total budget is $3000.00 prior to grant money

the target population
 
 

1. Introduction

1. description of population (characteristics)
2. statistics about population
3. stereotypes/misconceptions
4. relevant definitions
5. environmental influences
6. developmental issues

2. Career Issues
3. Relevant research

1. for target population
2. career issues related to target population

2. Role of career theory

1. Explain selected theory for this population
2. Applicability
3. Limitations of theory

2. Role of career counselor
3. Career strategies/Interventions
4. Career Assessment instrument appropriate for the target population

8. Internet resources