Career Development Practitioner
FAQs
Prospective Applicants
1. Can I take the courses in Career Development Practitioner or Foundations Certificate online?2. Can I take the courses in Career Development Practitioner or Foundations Certificate through Distance Learning?
3. What kind of computer do I need to have?
4. Can I complete the program at my own pace?
5. How do I apply for the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) Program?
6. How do I apply for the Career Foundations Certificate?
7. Can I be admitted to the CDP Program without the required academic background?
8. How many graduates find employment in the Career Development field after graduation?
9. What are the Admission Requirements?
10. How do I apply?
11. What are the admission procedures?
12. How do I apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (P.L.A.R.)?
13. Is there any Financial Assistance?
14. Is the course content evaluated? If so, how often?
15. Are the instructors evaluated? If so, how often?
16. What is the method of instruction?
17. What are the qualifications of the instructors?
18. Are additional or make-up tests, assignments, exams allowed if necessary?
19. How long has the CDP program been offered at Conestoga College?
Registered Students
1. What is the tuition cost?2. What courses are offered and what is an Ideal Course Flow for a Full Time Student?
3. Are there course descriptions?
Career Counselling and Development4. How do I log in to Angel?
Interviewing, Mentoring and Coaching
Trends and Issues in the New Work Dynamic
Career Consulting Techniques 1: Principles and Practices
Group Training and Facilitation: Principles and Practices
Career Development with Special Needs Groups
Assessment In Career Development: Formal Instruments
Consulting in Career Development: Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Roles
Career Consulting Techniques II: Principles and Practices
Practicum Seminar
Practicum Project
Career Development within Communities
Women and Career Building
Electronic Tools and Techniques in the Field of Career Development
New Canadians and the World of Work
Career Development for Adolescents and Young Adults
5. How can I purchase textbooks?
6. What about technical help for Angel?
7. How do I get onto the online Library Resource Centre?
8. Who is the Program Administrator and how do I contact her?
9. How do I receive Academic Recognition?
10. How do I contact the Registrar's Office?
11. What are the academic dates for 2008?
12. How do I drop a course/ Withdrawal from a course?
13. What grading system is used?
14. What courses are offered during each semester?
Currently, with the exception of 2 courses, students may complete the program online. Career Consulting Techniques 1 and 2 can be taken on-line with a teleclass option in the Fall and Winter Semesters. For further information on teleclasses.
The 200 hour Practicum Placement needs to be done in an organization that offers career development services. This can be done in your home community. Placements can be considered in your place of employment with special arrangements for extra projects.
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2. Can I take the courses in Career Development Practitioner or Foundations Certificate through Distance Learning?
Currently, all courses are available through distance learning. Career Consulting Techniques 1 and 2 and Professional Ethics, Interviewing and Counseling can be taken on-line with a teleclass option in the Fall and Winter Semesters. For further information on teleclasses.
The 200 hour Practicum Placement needs to be done in an organization that offers career development services. This can be done in your home community. Placements can be considered in your place of employment with special arrangements for extra projects.
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3. What kind of computer do I need to have?
Internet Connection:
- Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection (in other words, a high speed or high speed ‘lite’ connection)
- Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 2.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
- Windows® 2000, XP, 2003 Server or Vista
- Minimum of Pentium® class 1GHz CPU with 512 MB of RAM (recommended) (2 GB of RAM for Windows® Vista)s
- Firefox® 2.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
- Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
- PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel processor (512 MB of RAM or better recommended)
- Your computer needs to be able to receive streamed audio and video files. If you can watch a YouTube video, your system is set-up appropriately.
- The Webinars allow students to use a regular phone, which requires a long distance connection OR to connect to audio using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). In order to use VOIP learner’s need a fast Internet connection, a microphone and speakers (a USB headset is recommended).
4. Can I complete the program at my own pace?
Yes. However, each course needs to be completed within a fifteen week term and the program will need to be completed within five years of starting.
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5. How do I apply for the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) Program?
You apply through ontariocolleges.ca. They have an online application service. The current fee is $85.00. In addition, you need to submit proof of admission requirements: a University BA or a 2 year College diploma. You will then be sent a letter from Conestoga College requesting a current functional resume, and a letter of application.
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6. How do I apply for the Career Foundations Certificate?
(Formerly Career Coach Certificate) You can download an application form. In addition, you need to submit proof that you meet admission requirements: relevant academic transcripts, a current resume, a minimum of one letter of support from a current or previous employer or volunteer supervisor outlining a minimum of two years of related experience within the last five years.
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7. Can I be admitted to the CDP Program without the required academic background?
Yes. After completion of the Career Foundations Certificate, students may apply for advanced standing to the CDP Program. In that case, the courses already completed would be rolled over to the CDP Certificate.
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8. How many graduates find employment in the Career Development field after graduation?
The most recent statistics are from the 2007 class. There were 33 graduates in total. 96% of the 2007 graduates found employment within 6 months of graduation. The average salary was $37,483.
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9. What are the Admission Requirements?
Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) diploma or University degree
Note: Preference will be given to candidates who have:
a) Completed post-secondary subjects in human development, psychology, and/or sociology
b) Previous paid or voluntary experience in a related field. Computer literacy and Internet familiarity are strongly recommended
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10. How do I apply?
Obtain a form from any secondary school or College (CAAT), by writing directly to the Ontario College Application Service, or by using the Online College Application at www.ontariocolleges.on.ca
Completed applications should be sent to:
Ontario College Application Service
PO Box 810
370 Speedvale Avenue West
Guelph , Ontario , Canada N1H 6M4
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11. What are the admission procedures?
Applicants meeting admission requirements are invited to begin the selection process,
which requires them to:
a) Submit a letter of application
b) Submit a current functional resume
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12. How do I apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (P.L.A.R.) ?
Adult students with significant life and work experience may apply for credits through
P.L.A.R. Students should first attend a free P.L.A.R. Orientation Workshop offered
through Continuing Education. Call the Information Centre (519) 748-5220, ext. 3656 for details.
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13. Is there any Financial Assistance?
In addition to the Ontario Student Assistance Program ( OSAP
) (available to Canadian citizen and permanent residents/landed immigrants),
Conestoga College also administers a program of bursaries and awards to qualified students.
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14. Is the course content evaluated? If so, how often?
There is a Program Advisory Committee who review all aspects of the program and meet a minimum of
twice per year, every few years we also have a curriculum review day in which emplyers and
graduates review the curriculum outcomes in detail. These recommendations are then adapted into
the design.
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15. Are the instructors evaluated? If so, how often?
Yes, there is a standard process for all instructors, the frequency depends upon their length of
service.
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16. What is the method of instruction?
In the distance learning field, our instructional design is known as "distributed learning".
All courses have a web base with course notes, self-directed activities, communication /
discussion requirements and additional assignments. Some classes also use "Teleclasses" to
increase the amount of discussion.
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17. What are the qualifications of the instructors?
10+ years of expereince in the field.
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18. Are additional or make-up tests, assignments, exams
allowed if necessary?
Extensions are allowed for medical emergencies.
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19. How long has the CDP program been offered at Conestoga College?
The program has been offered since 1995.
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REGISTERED STUDENTS
1. What is the tuition costTuition costs for 2009 - 2010 is $1,200.00*. Contact the Registrar's Office for current fee information. Telephone: (519) 748-5220 x3656. Activity, alumni, athletic, graduation, insurance and locker fees, as well as program-related costs such as books and supplies are additional. The following are the fees for the 2008 - 2009 Academic Year:
Fall 2009 - $1,651.34
Winter 2010 - $1,712.52
Spring 2010 - $1,786.77
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2. What courses are offered and what is an Ideal Course Flow for a Full Time Student?
| Term 1 |
| Career Counselling & Development |
| Trends and Issues in the New Work Dynamic |
| Interviewing, Mentoring & Coaching |
| Career Consulting Techniques 1 |
| Term 2 |
| Group Training and Facilitation |
| Career Consulting Techniques 2 |
| Practicum Seminar |
| Career Development with Special Needs Groups |
| Term 3 |
| Assessment in Career Development |
| Consulting in Career Development: Entrepreneurial & Intrapreneurial |
| 1 Elective Course |
| Practicum Project |
Electives Offered:
Career Development for Adolescents
Electronic Tools and Techniques
Women and Career Building
New Canadians and the World of Work
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3. Are there course descriptions?
Course Descriptions:
Career Counselling and Development
This course will provide an overview of the theory and practice of career counselling and development. Emphasis will be placed on an analysis of: career development theories, occupational structures, career information, approaches to vocational assessment, the practice of career counselling and development, and future trends in the evolution of the field. Students will engage in learning projects that will develop their appreciation for and understanding of both the theory and practice of career development. This course is primarily delivered using the World Wide Web.
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Interviewing, Mentoring and Coaching
This course explores the knowledge, skills, and values/ethics inherent in being a successful counsellor. A review of basic counselling theories and how they relate to theories in career development will be covered. The micro skills hierarchy will be presented as a framework for mastering basic interviewing and counselling skills. An ethical decision-making process will also be covered to increase the student's understanding of her/his attitudes about ethical decision-making and role as a professional helper. The final portion of the course will examine the process of personally integrating the counselling values, skills and knowledge that have been presented.
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Trends and Issues in the New Work Dynamic
This course will provide an overview of the nature of contemporary work dynamic trends. The influences of global trends, employment trends and issues, cultural diversity and demographic shifts on future work will be explored. Students will examine the impact of permanent economic change, new work patterns and organizational learning demands and discuss the implications for career decision-making and lifelong learning. Students will investigate, discuss and critically evaluate these trends and develop counselling strategies to clarify the economic contexts in which career decisions are made.
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Career Consulting Techniques 1: Principles and Practices
The core principles, processes, and outcomes of career counselling are systematically delivered in this course. The focus of this course is to connect theory to practice and to develop a resource of strategies and activities for counsellors to use with clients in both individual and group settings. A five-step model of career counselling developed in Canada is introduced, and each of these steps is studied in detail. This course provides the student with a challenging opportunity to conceptualise, explain, and rehearse a coherent model that can be used with a variety of client groups. NOTE: This course requires a weekly teleclass for the distance course. For further information about teleclasses click here .
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Group Training and Facilitation: Principles and Practices
Group career development training is increasingly common in both profit and non-profit milieus. Understanding and applying the principles and key elements of group training/facilitation in custom designed approaches for the field of career development is demanding yet rewarding for the career development practitioner. Using an experiential learning approach, which combines both theory and practice, the focus of this course is on helping students discover their own style of training/facilitating. Students will experience the group process, explore topics such as learning theories, group dynamics, lesson design, presentation skills and evaluation techniques, and apply these to the field of career development. They will have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills as well as design a career development lesson plan for a targeted client group which will contribute to the development of a manual of peer group lesson plans they can retain for future use.
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Career Development with Special Needs Groups
This course will support the career counsellor in working with special needs groups by exploring: the general characteristics of the group in Canada ; environmental, social and systematic and personal barriers that this group is likely to encounter and suggestions of suitable practices for the career counsellor when working with individuals in these groups. Groups that will be covered in this course include; Aboriginal People, Ex-Offenders, Immigrants and Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities (physical, learning, developmental, mental illness), Homosexuals, Gays, and Transgendered, Older Workers, Social Assistance Recipients, the Working Poor, Women and Youth.
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Assessment In Career Development: Formal Instruments
This course provides an overview of the history, theory, nature and process of assessment and provides students with practice in using assessment tools for career counselling. Students will have the opportunity to examine the procedures for using and interpreting data from a variety of assessment inventories, and learn how to integrate assessment data in the career counselling context. Students will examine assessment tools, and apply theory they have learned related to evaluating statistical measures, the purpose of the assessment, format, administration procedures, norms, reliability, validity and interpretation of results. Ethical implications of administering psychological tests will be discussed along with the limitations and cautions related to the use of standardized tests.
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Consulting in Career Development: Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Roles
This course explores the roles of entrepreneurs in career development orientated organizations and entrepreneurs operating their own counselling or consulting practices in career development. Students will assess their personal suitability and tendency toward operating a consulting practice or abilities to act as intrapreneurs. Throughout the course, students will enhance their awareness of their own entrepreneurial traits and explore strategies leading to entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial activities. The course will explain the consultant/client relationship and differentiate between the various consulting styles used in developing a consulting practice. Methods of opportunities identification and idea generation will be examined. Market research techniques and marketing strategies will be developed. Operational and financial planning will be examined. Students will prepare a business plan for a consulting practice or funding proposal for a career development program.
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Career Consulting Techniques II: Principles and Practices
The core principles, processes, and outcomes of career counselling are systematically delivered in this course. Focus of this course is to connect theory to practice and to develop a resource of strategies and activities for counsellors to use with clients in both individual and group settings. A five-step model of career counselling developed in Canada is introduced and the third, fourth and fifth steps are studied in detail. This course provides the student with a challenging opportunity to conceptualize, explain, and rehearse a coherent model that can be used with a variety of client groups. NOTE: This course requires a weekly teleclass for the distance course. For further information about teleclasses click here .
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Practicum Seminar
This course will build on the foundation of the knowledge and skills taught in the Career Development Practitioner Program. It has a practical focus which will be the preparation for a successful Practicum Placement. The process to secure the Placement will include study of the current trends in the Career Development Field, as well as understanding and experiencing the job search process first-hand. This course will utilize extensive practice of a variety of learning strategies, which may include: Community contact, Self-reflection and Internet Research.
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Practicum Project
The purpose of this course is to allow students the opportunity to put their experience, skills and knowledge into practice in the Career Development Field. The curriculum of this course will include the guidelines for an appropriate Practicum placement site, the steps required to secure a Practicum placement, developing professional behaviours as a Career Development Practitioner and job search portfolio development. Students will be expected to do self-reflection, integration of curriculum from other courses, personal research in the field and the development of a learning contract.
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NOTE: Students enrolled in the Career Development Practitioner Program may choose 1 of the following 5 courses as an elective:
Women and Career Building
This course provides students with an overview of the history of women and work. How both societal influences and individual choice impact the world of work for women are explored. The emphasis is on intervention at both macro and micro levels. The influence of life-span development and career salience influence on career planning will be reviewed. Topics covered are: women and non-traditional employment, women and technology, women in transition, women in dual career families, women and self-employment, women and spirituality, work-life balance, and women as mentors and coaches. Models of practice are presented and critiqued. e.g. Job Finding Clubs, pre-employment programs, transition programs like Women into Trades and Technology (WITT) and youth focused programs. The course outlines a model using the concepts of career planning, career intelligence and career building.
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Electronic Tools and Techniques in the Field of Career Development
With the rapid proliferation of computer-based, and in particular internet-based, career development resources over the past several years, it has been difficult for practitioners to stay current on the spectrum of what is available to them. This course will take students through every stage of the career development process - including self-assessment, occupational research, résumé development, job search strategies, and interview skills - and will outline the wealth of internet and computer-based resources that are now readily available to the practitioner. The course will also include special sections on cybercounselling, advanced internet search strategies, and techniques on how to use information-rich but difficult-to-navigate sites such as Strategis. The focus of the course will be on Canadian resources, but will include international sites and software where appropriate. Career development practitioners in all sectors of the field who want to gain a better understanding of the availability and applicability of electronic resources, and/or who want to teach their clients how to access and use these resources, will find this course to be particularly beneficial.
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New Canadians and the World of Work
Students will be introduced to how work/employment fits into the settlement/integration continuum and to the general characteristics of the process that in the long term allow newcomers to be full participants in all dimensions of society. A community development approach to providing services is explored involving initial settlement concerns, language instruction, specific employment services and long-term integration issues. Various best practices include advocacy, networking, coaching, cultural orientation, community building, consciousness raising strategies, and language referral training, will be reviewed.
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Career Development for Adolescents and Young Adults
This course will investigate the following issues facing youth: basic developmental changes; career exploration and decision making; educational planning; apprenticeship programs; challenges facing those without high school diplomas; and school to work adjustment. By looking at successful approaches, programs and models, students in this course will acquire skills and knowledge on how to engage youth in effective short and long-term career development. Models that incorporate the concepts of career resiliency, emotional intelligence, educational planning, and mentoring and coaching will be highlighted.
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4. How do I log in to Angel ?
Conestoga's ANGEL server can be accessed from ANY computer connected
to the internet by typing the following URL into your web browser's address bar:
http://angel.conestogac.on.ca/
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Textbooks can now be purchased online at the Conestoga Online Bookstore or you can visit the bookstore at the Doon campus to purchase the books. Faxed orders will no longer be accepted.
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We are using Angel. For technical support please fill out the following "Technical Support Request Form"
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1. You can get access to the LRC by clicking on the link below, it will take you to the College Home Page. Conestoga Home Page
2. Click on the square located in the lower right hand side of the Conestoga Home Page, called Library Resource Centre.
3. On the new page click on the Web Tools option.
4. Once on the Web Tools page, click on Click to access LRC DATABASES from OFF CAMPUS.
5. A new window will then open and you will have options. You will eventually need to enter your login (which is your student #) and your pin number.
You can get the pin number from Regina Dryngiewicz, Program Administrator.
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8. Who is the Program Administrator and how do I contact her?
Kim Radigan
Program Assistant - Career Development Practitioner Program
Conestoga College - Doon Campus
Phone: (519)748-5220, Ext. 2410
kradigan@conestogac.on.ca
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9. How do I receive Academic Recognition?
This information is listed in the Student Guide .
On Page 17 of the manual, it lists all of the academic recognition awards and they are as follows:
Graduation with High Distinction: Average of 90% or greater for all courses in the program
Graduation with Distinction: Average of 80-89% in all courses in the program
Conestoga Honour List: Average of 80% or greater in all courses in the program
Dean's Honour List: Average of 80% or greater in all courses in the program
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10. How do I contact the Registrar's Office?
Registrar's Office
Janeen Hoover, Registrar
Information Centre/Admissions/
Student Records/Fees 748-5220 ext. 3656
OSAP, Financial Aid/ 748-5220 ext. 3202/3378/
Student Awards Office 3626/3704
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
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11. What are the academic dates for 2009?
| Fall 2008 | |
| Fall Orientation Week | August 25-29 |
| Labour Day (no classes) | September 1 |
| Fall Semester Classes Start | September 2 |
| Career Fair | September 24 |
| Thanksgiving Day (no classes) | October 13 |
| College Fair | October 7, 8 |
| Convocation | November 1 |
| Exam Period | December 9-13, 15* |
| Intersession (no classes) | December 16-January 2** |
| Winter 2009 | |
| Winter Orientation | January 2 |
| Winter Semester Classes Start | January 5 |
| Family Day (no classes) | February 16 |
| Study Week | February 16-20 |
| Explore Conestoga College | March 21 - Waterloo Campus |
| March 28 - Doon Campus | |
| April 4 - Guelph Campus | |
| Good Friday (no classes) | April 10 |
| Exam Period | April 20-25* |
| Intersession (no classes) | April 27-May 1** |
| Spring/Summer 2009 | |
| Spring/Summer Semester Classes Start | May 4 |
| Victoria Day (no classes) | May 18 |
| Convocation | June 10, 11 |
| Canada Day (no classes) | July 1 |
| Tuition fees due | July 8 |
| Civic Holiday (no classes) | August 3 |
| Exam Period | August 10-15* |
| Intersession (no classes) | August 17-September 4** |
| Labour Day (no classes) | September 7 |
| Fall Semester Classes Start | September 8 |
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12. How do I drop a course/ Withdrawal from a course?
The course drop deadline (with refund) is 14 days from the course start date.
Students may drop a course without academic penalty before 75% of course has been delivered.
To drop a course:
1. You must see your Program Co-ordinator/Chair for approval and to discuss your course load. The Course Add/Drop Form, available from the Program Co-ordinator/Chair, must be completed (with all the required signatures) and forwarded to the Registrar's Office via the Program Coordinator/ Chair.
2. Check with the Registrar's Office at a later date to ensure that your records have been updated.
Note: By dropping courses, the status of a full-time student may change to part-time. Fees will be calculated on an hourly basis and other fees may apply. If you are receiving financial aid, a status change may affect your entitlement. Consult the Financial Aid Office for clarification.
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13. What grading system is used?
| Alpha Grade | GPA | Range % | Description |
| A+ | 4 | 90-100 | Course outcomes are met in a manner that warrants unique & distinguished recognition |
| A | 3.75 | 80-89 | Course outcomes are met in a consistently outstanding manner |
| B+ | 3.5 | 75-79 | Course outcomes are met in a superior manner |
| B | 3.70 | 70-74 | Course outcomes are met in a consistently thorough manner |
| C+ | 2.5 | 65-69 | Average achievement in all required course outcomes |
| C | 2.60 | 60-64 | Acceptable achievement in all required course outcomes |
| D | 1.55 | 55-59 | Minimal compliance with course outcomes |
| F | 0 | 0-54 | Failure to meet course outcomes in an acceptable manner |
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14. What courses are offered during each semester?
Fall Semester
|
Winter Semester
|
Spring Semester
|
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Course # |
Course Name |
Course # |
Course Name |
Course # |
Course Name |
| CARD1070 | Career Consulting Techniques 1 | CARD1060 | Career Counselling and Development | CARD1010 | Interviewing, Mentoring and Coaching |
| CARD1080 | Career Consulting Techniques 2 | CARD1040 | Group Training and Facilitation | CARD1040 | Group Training and Facilitation |
| CARD1060 | Career Counselling and Development | CARD1010 | Interviewing, Mentoring and Coaching | CARD8050 | Assessment |
| CARD1020 | Trends and Issues | CARD8050 | Assessment | CARD1030 | Consulting: Entrepreneurial & Intrapreneurial |
| CARD1010 | Interviewing, Mentoring and Coaching | CARD1050 | Special Needs | CARD1020 | Trends and Issues |
| CARD1040 | Group Training and Facilitation | CARD1030 | Consulting: Entrepreneurial & Intrapreneurial | CARD8070 | Practicum Seminar |
| CARD8050 | Assessment | CARD1070 | Career Consulting Techniques 1 | CARD8060 | Practicum Placement |
| CARD1050 | Special Needs | CARD1080 | Career Consulting Techniques 2 | CARD8040 | Career Development for Adolescents and Young Adults ** |
| CARD8070 | Practicum Seminar | CARD1020 | Trends and Issues | ||
| CARD8060 | Practicum Project | CARD8070 | Practicum Seminar | ||
| CARD8010 | Electronic Tools and Techniques ** | CARD8060 | Practicum Project | ||
| CARD8030 | New Canadians and the World of Work ** | ||||
| WMNS1050 | Women and Career Building ** | ||||