Paraklesis Counselling

The process of online-education in this counselling course will occur through the following interaction with the Course Content presented in six modules that will be released bi-weekly.

<< View the short video for an overview

 The B.Th. students in the program with a Counselling Focus might notice a small difference, compared to their other courses. Noticeable in the teaching mode used (more lectures to listen to and intensive practicums), required counselling textbooks, slightly different course procedures, bigger workload, APA academic writing requirements, and assessments adapted for counsellor training. You are welcome to contact the lecturer or counselling program director if you have any questions.    

Each Module will consist of and be presented in:

 Module Study Guides

• The study guidelines will inform you of the required coursework for each Module.
• Study Guide will provide lecture details, required and recommended readings, and discussion topics for each lecture.
• If there is any discrepancy between the Study Guidelines and the lectures, follow the instructions given in the Study Guidelines
• All additional documents will be posted in the addendum of the Study Guides
  or in the Module Reader

Module Slide Show Lectures

• Lectures are presented as interactive Audio Slide Shows, and can be viewed on your desktop, laptop, tablet or iPad, or mobile devices (remember to install the Canvas App on mobile devices).
• There are ca three lectures per module, each requiring at least 60min study time.
• The lectures sometimes include non-graded lecture-exercises (that look like “quizzes”) - they are for interactive learning purposes and will not contribute to your final grade.
• Make notes as you listen and view the lectures in preparation for the module quizzes, discussion forums, assignments, course assignment and exam – you are not allowed to download the lecture slide shows
• You can review the slide shows as often as you like during the term and in preparation for the exam.

Required Reading

• In addition to the required reading of sections in the prescribed textbooks (as indicated in the Module Study Guides), you are required to read and study additional material:
  • Read and study the chapters/articles as indicated in the study guide and posted in the
    Course/Module Reader
  • Read and study the EbscoHost chapters/articles as indicated in the study guide and lectures – click on the Permalink. Make sure that you are familiar of how to get to EbscoHost through the Canvas Research Portal, and practice how to find resources.

• There will be optional suggested readings in EbscoHost and/or selected books and articles.

Module Quizzes (quizzes count 10% towards your final grade – a subminimum of 40% required)

Please review the Counselling Courses Quizzes Instructions Document

• Part of the “Inline (in-term) Formative Assessments” are quizzes or module tests.
• Completing the bi-weekly module quizzes is a course requirement
• Quizzes are important, they not only prepare you for the exam, but they give immediate feedback on your knowledge and enhances formative learning in counselling
• The quizzes combined with the exam, make up 25% of your final grade
• It is Important to study and prepare the module coursework, before taking the quiz
• Once you open the quiz slide show, you must complete the quiz in one sitting and in the allotted time (just opening the quiz slide show is registered as your first attempt)
• Please take note of the warning on the “One bite at the apple” page, before opening the quiz slide show
• Only one attempt is allowed. The grade received at your first attempt will be recorded, you will not be allowed to review or retake the quizzes
• On the result slide, take a screenshot of your grade (just in case it disappears in cyberspace)
• If you run into technical difficulties (e.g. the internet failing etc.) please email the lecturer and include a screenshot of the problem if possible
• Quit the slide show after listening to the last slide by clicking on “exit”
• To prepare for the exam you must review all the coursework (lectures, readings, your own notes, etc.)
• Biweekly due dates are strictly enforced, but you will have a two-week “grace” period until the cut-off date. We recognize that part-time students need some flexibility - we therefore accommodate you by leaving the quiz open for a two-week “grace” period after the due date, but late submissions will be penalized with -1% per day. If you do not complete the quiz by the cut-off date, you will not get a second bite at the apple.  It is therefore imperative that you complete the coursework for every module in the allotted two-weeks.

Module Discussion Forums - This is where most of the counselling training takes place!
(participation counts 20% towards your final grade – a subminimum of 40% required)

Please review the Counselling Courses Discussion Forum Guidelines document

• Participate biweekly in the graded online discussion forum – here you can demonstrate that you understand the concepts and constructs and will be able to apply them as a counsellor
• Discussing the posted topics, critiquing suggested theories, and evaluating the implications for counselling practice, will greatly contribute to your development as a Christian counsellor
• Here you can interact with the lecturer, respond to the comments made by other students, pose questions, and clarify your own emerging understanding of Christian counselling
• Although an academic writing style is not required in the discussion forums, it is a good place to practice the APA style and get in the habit of using the citations correctly
• Please note that you are required to participate in all the discussions to be allowed to take the exam and submit the assignments
• There is at least one discussion for every lecture and each discussion will on average have 2 or 3 topics related to the lecture.
• Be succinct and concise in your reflections – The suggested guideline is 250 words for one topic with no sub-questions, and for topics containing more than one sub-question, 150 words per sub-question.
• Every reflection will be read by the lecturer and graded. If applicable personal feedback will be given in the speed-grader on Canvas.
• General Feedback will be given in the forum if the lecturer wants to emphasize a point, challenge a comment, correct factual statements, or pose a question to the class/group.
• Biweekly due dates are strictly enforced - it is required that you complete the coursework for every module in the allotted two weeks. We leave the forum open for a two-week grace period after the due date, but late-submissions will be penalized with -1% per day. If you do not post a reflection before the end of the cut-off date, you will not receive a grade for the discussion forum which will place you in jeopardy to fail the course.

Course Assignment (55% of final grade – subminimum of 40% required)

Please study the Counselling Tutorial on Academic Writing document

• Researching and completing the assignment(s) is important – it is the primary evaluation tool of your knowledge and insight of the coursework, and the main summative assessment.
• Review the assignment topic and guidelines in the syllabus before starting.
• Utilize a formal academic writing and the correct citation style – in counselling courses student-counsellors are required to use the APA citation style
• Please review the Counselling Tutorial on Academic Writing
• Please take note of SATS Course Assignment Late Policy:
  • Assignment Due Date is the 27th of the last month of the term
  • The Cut-Off Date is the last day of the term and is non-negotiable
  • According to SATS policy, a -10% penalty per day for late submission is applicable
  • The lowest adjusted grade that will be awarded is 40%
  • One-week extensions will only be considered for applicable legitimate reasons (e.g. submission of a medical note, funerals, personal family crises, etc.)

Course Exam (15% of final grade – subminimum of 40% required)

Please review the Counselling Quizzes and Exam Instructions document

• Prepare for the exam by reviewing all the coursework (lectures, notes, readings, postings - you will not be allowed to review the quizzes)
• Once you open the exam slide show, you must take the exam and finish it in one sitting in the allotted time. You will not be allowed to redo the exam.
• Please take note that this is not an open book exam. Please do not consult your notes or textbooks while taking the exam. Please be ethical.
• If you experience technical difficulties (e.g. the internet failing) please email your lecturer and include a screenshot of the problem if you can.
• Please take note of SATS Course Exam Late Policy:
  • Exam can be taken from 22nd to the 27th of the last month of the term (Due Date is the 27th)
  • The Cut-Off Date is the last day of the term and is non-negotiable
  • According to SATS policy a -10% penalty per day for late submission is applicable
  • The lowest adjusted grade that will be awarded is 40%
• One-week extensions will only be considered for applicable legitimate reasons

Proceed to Workload >>>