This course is typically one of the first courses students take as they begin their program of study. With no required prerequisites, this foundational course is designed to introduce students to the profession of Rehabilitation Counseling, including rehabilitation counseling history, philosophy, values, legislation, policy and practice. The purpose is for students to become knowledgeable about the foundations of the profession and includes discussions about current issues, community resources, services and processes, and the roles of rehabilitation counselors and related rehabilitation specializations in the rehabilitation process.
As students progress with their program, the topics covered in this online course are scaffolded and discussed even more in-depth and from different perspectives. I encourage students, especially at this stage of their program, to begin thinking about how to ... connect the dots ... from unit to unit and course to course. This strategy will help prepare you well to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam at the end of the program and to successfully transition into your practice setting.
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Now, let's zoom in and chat more about how this specific course is structured and what to expect from the three units in this first module.
Module #1: Foundations
The first module focuses on foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling and includes the following three units:
Module Objectives
By the end of Module 1, students will be able to:
* Understand the history and philosophy of rehabilitation counseling (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.a)
* Differentiate the scope of practice, roles, and settings of rehabilitation counselors, including at the federal,
tribal, state, and local levels (CACREP Standards 5.H.2.a; 5.H.2.i; 5.H.2.j)
* Engage and reflect on self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.l)
* Understand the history and philosophy of rehabilitation counseling (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.a)
* Differentiate the scope of practice, roles, and settings of rehabilitation counselors, including at the federal,
tribal, state, and local levels (CACREP Standards 5.H.2.a; 5.H.2.i; 5.H.2.j)
* Engage and reflect on self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.l)
What is CACREP?
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) is the accrediting organization for graduate counseling programs. All accredited programs have to demonstrate how they meet the standards; respective standards are included in all rehabilitation counseling course syllabi.
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) is the accrediting organization for graduate counseling programs. All accredited programs have to demonstrate how they meet the standards; respective standards are included in all rehabilitation counseling course syllabi.
Structure of Each Unit
Each unit will include an introduction section that offers an overview of the unit, a list of the textbook chapters to read, content and materials that support the learning objectives, and a learning artifact(s) that demonstrates your engagement with the materials. Deadlines for completion of each unit are listed in the syllabus.
Each unit navigates much like a website. You will click on the respective unit link in the navigation bar and scroll down through the various sections of the introduction, learning content and materials, and learning artifact instructions. How you progress through each unit may be structurally different; this is intentional as each unit has different learning objectives and applies a variety of strategies that reinforce your learning.
Each unit navigates much like a website. You will click on the respective unit link in the navigation bar and scroll down through the various sections of the introduction, learning content and materials, and learning artifact instructions. How you progress through each unit may be structurally different; this is intentional as each unit has different learning objectives and applies a variety of strategies that reinforce your learning.
Self-Reflection and Self-Care
A key element to this course is self-reflection and developing a self-care practice. Although self-reflective exercises will not be included in every unit, you will find that these exercises are sprinkled throughout the duration of the course. Self-reflection is foundational to being an excellent counselor, but much like strength training, it can take time to build muscle memory, depth, and contour. Therefore, we will practice this skill ... a lot.
One of the ways we will practice this skill is by engaging in a 10-week self-care practice (you will learn more about this exercise in Unit 3). We will share our self-care strategies and reflections with each other using a password-protected page (accessed via the Journal link in the navigation bar); I will also participate in this activity with you. Developing a self-care practice is a journey and a dance - it is not easy, but you will grow from this experience and position yourself for experiencing long-term resiliency both personally and professionally.
One of the ways we will practice this skill is by engaging in a 10-week self-care practice (you will learn more about this exercise in Unit 3). We will share our self-care strategies and reflections with each other using a password-protected page (accessed via the Journal link in the navigation bar); I will also participate in this activity with you. Developing a self-care practice is a journey and a dance - it is not easy, but you will grow from this experience and position yourself for experiencing long-term resiliency both personally and professionally.
Grading Scale
Click the link below to access rubrics for each assignment and learning artifact. Use these as your guide for how you would like to engage with the materials. If you need help with an assignment, please contact me 48 hours before the assignment is due so I can support you in achieving your goals for the assignment.
Your grades will be shared via a private google document. Grades on late assignments will be reduced by 10% for each day it is overdue. Please remember that correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation affect the credibility and professionalism of your written work, and to approach all assignments with care.
93% - 100% = 4.0
87% - 92% = 3.5
80% - 86% = 3.0
73% - 79% = 2.5
66% - 72% = 2.0
60% - 65% = 1.5
56% - 59% = 1.0
87% - 92% = 3.5
80% - 86% = 3.0
73% - 79% = 2.5
66% - 72% = 2.0
60% - 65% = 1.5
56% - 59% = 1.0
A Note About Assignment Deadlines
Although I prefer flexible deadlines, the reality is that many global societies (including the U.S.) are built around accountability-driven systems rooted in capitalist perspectives. What this translates to is an emphasis on meeting deadlines which indicates responsibility and good time management (among other related soft skills). My job is to help you be as prepared as possible to navigate within and between these systems so you can, in turn, support community members in the doing the same; therefore, timely assignment submissions are reinforced throughout this course.
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Having said that, life is complicated and can throw unexpected curve balls with sometimes multiple curve balls coming at us from all angles. My class is a supportive space. What this means is that if you are experiencing disruptions or challenges for any reason, please contact me and together we'll work on a compatible plan that supports your success. Additionally, I also have a host of resources and networks that we can access.