This module provides a theoretical and experiential base for the practice of school and career counseling. As reflective educators, students will critically evaluate and apply theories of human development, learning, and counselling to educational settings, justifying their use in designing effective student counselling and guidance strategies. Emphasis is placed upon the research that supports these theories and the ways school counselors provide relevant K–15 career development services, including a focus on the national imperative of career and college readiness. To bridge theory and action, students will practice and demonstrate proficiency in foundational counselling and coaching skills—including active listening, unconditional positive regard, and the strict application of safeguarding protocols—translating abstract concepts into real-world interpersonal practice to improve student outcomes. Because school counselors are uniquely positioned to promote academic achievement, mental health, and career competence, this module provides a developmental overview of child and adolescent growth from a multisystemic approach. Acting as innovative designers and applied innovators, students will analyze the development of mental health challenges using appropriate theoretical frameworks to design evidence-based, school-wide, or targeted interventions that address the broader ecosystem, scalability, and stakeholder needs. By linking elements of psychology, career, ecosystems, and lifespan development theory, students will also design and facilitate theoretically grounded individual and small-group interventions, critically adapting their strategies to accommodate diverse presenting concerns, developmental stages, and multicultural considerations. Finally, to support these practical interventions, direct services, and curriculum integration, students will also learn the use of digital tools and relevant AI and GenAI-based options.
A. Demonstrate proficiency in foundational counselling and coaching skills within educational contexts, including active listening, unconditional positive regard, and the strict application of safeguarding protocols. B. Critically evaluate and apply theories of human development, learning, and counselling to educational settings, justifying their use in designing effective student counselling and guidance strategies. C. Analyse the development of mental health challenges in children and young people using appropriate theoretical frameworks, and design evidence-based, school-wide or targeted interventions derived from these analyses. D. Design and facilitate research-based individual and small group interventions, adapting strategies to accommodate students’ presenting concerns, developmental stages, and multicultural considerations.
The teaching sessions include both lectures and seminars which work together to engage students with key conceptual, theoretical, and methodological insights, as well as dedicated opportunities for critical reflection. Students will also engage in collaborative and individual practice, and iterative development of resources to support students in academic success and career awareness. Furthermore, students will critically utilize Generative AI tools throughout these activities to enhance their research, ideation, and problem-solving capabilities. This practical engagement will build the digital literacy and ethical awareness necessary to navigate AI-driven environments in their future careers.