vcc.ca
CNSK 1511: Practicum
Effective date
September 2019
Department
Counselling Skills
School
Continuing Studies
Description
This course provides students the opportunity to put the skills and theories that they have learned into practice in social service settings. With a focus on empathy, ethical practice, and self-awareness, students engage directly with clients to solidify their learning.
Credits
5.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
CNSK 1502;CNSK 1503;CNSK 1504;CNSK 1505;CNSK 1506;CNSK 1507;CNSK 1508; CNSK 1509; CNSK 1510.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply empathy and active listening to a client-centred approach while maintaining safe and respectful relationships
- Demonstrate self-awareness and practice self-regulation when working in support positions
- Create a culturally safe, inclusive therapeutic environment
- Apply systems approach to group dynamics and behaviours
- Demonstrate ethical practice in written, verbal, and behavioural communication when working with clients
- Receive and incorporate feedback for the purpose of personal and professional development
- Recognize, contain, and deescalate trauma responses while upholding clients’ resiliency and adaptation(s)
- Use language grounded in the counselling body of knowledge within community settings
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 16
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 135
Total Hours: 151
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 135
Total Hours: 151
Instructional Strategies
At an approved workplace/agency setting, students work under direct supervision of an approved agency supervisor. Once they are familiar with the practicum placement's policies and procedures, students participate in direct client support in individual or groups settings. Students may also attend agency case conferences and perform other related duties to support their learning.
In seminars, instructional strategies include videos, assignments, group discussion/work, reflective practice, peer and instructor feedback.
In seminars, instructional strategies include videos, assignments, group discussion/work, reflective practice, peer and instructor feedback.
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
S
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Practicum |
|
Midterm practicum assessment (S if complete, U if incomplete) |
|
Practicum |
|
Final practicum assessment (students must achieve at least 3/4 on all competencies to receive an S) |
|
Assignments |
|
Ethical dilemma (S/U based on 60% passing grade) |
|
Assignments |
|
Case study (S/U based on 60% passing grade) |
|
Assignments |
|
Video presentation (S/U based on rubric with peer and instructor feedback) |
|
|
|
Students must achieve a satisfactory grade on all evaluations in order to be successful in the course |
Course topics
- • Preparation for a support position (including choice of placement site, letters of application, phone and face-to-face interview techniques, etc.) • Workplace/agency policies, guidelines, norms, and culture • Exploration of ethical dilemmas • Student-led case study discussions • Practicum experience debriefing • “In the field” vs in the program • Self-care, self-regulation, and self-awareness • Professional boundaries • Group dynamics • Feedback and group discussions arising from teachable moments
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.