Career Development Theories

This two-course module explores both foundational and modern career development theories, including pre-21st century theories such as Maslow’s Motivation Theory, Parsons’ Trait and Factor Theory, Holland’s Career Choice Theory, Super’s Lifespace Model, Krumholtz’s Social Learning Theory and Constructivism; and 21st century theories including Chaos Theory of Careers and the Workplace/Career Engagement Framework. Earners of this Microcredential will understand theories’ historical and practical contexts, assess their strengths and limitations, and learn to apply them considering cultural and diversity factors.

Issuer	Nova Scotia Career Development Association
Issued On	1769083200
Expires	-

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Earners of this Microcredential will understand theories’ historical and practical contexts, assess their strengths and limitations, and learn to apply them considering cultural and diversity factors. ","inLanguage":"en","tag":["Career","Career-Fundamentals","Career-Practice","Career-Theories","Development"],"image":{"id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/obv3/images/badge/28c032c74acdf4ad9493e944f407a0ad9fd68770af666e778c0e1758f11022b9","type":"Image"},"related":[{"inLanguage":"fr","type":["Related"],"id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/obv3/achievements/SWB18Va8NT1aBWI?cid=28c032c74acdf4ad9493e944f407a0ad9fd68770af666e778c0e1758f11022b9&lang=fr"}],"id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/obv3/achievements/SWB18Va8NT1aBWI?cid=28c032c74acdf4ad9493e944f407a0ad9fd68770af666e778c0e1758f11022b9&lang=en","name":"Career Development Theories","alignment":[{"targetName":"The National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals","targetDescription":"The National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals (National Profile) is a curation of competencies from the Competency Framework that details and describes effective performance, knowledge, understanding, and abilities for ALL Career Development Professionals regardless of role/setting.","targetUrl":"https://cdpc-cedc.ca/our-profession/national-competency-profile/","type":["Alignment"]}],"criteria":{"narrative":"### Type of recognition\n\n![Assessed Microcredential](https://factory.cancred.ca/c/htmltemplate/image/STKY4Wa1WPQZaEYB4/SY27QDaQPRFa9IW4 \"Assessed Microcredential\")\n\nAssessed microcredential\n\n### Learning Outcomes\n\n1. Define the terms theory, framework, and model in relation to the field of Career Development. \n2. Explain the foundational concepts of a range of pre-21st century career theories, models, and frameworks and their application in the field of Career Development. \n3. Identify the strengths and limitations of each of the theories in relation to their use. 1.\n4. Identify which career development interventions connect with individual career theories. \n5. Reflect on your own approach to supporting career development that is grounded in established theory. \n6. Explain the foundational concepts of a range of 21st-century career theories, models, and frameworks and their application in the field of  Career Development. \n7. Identify the strengths and limitations of each of these theories in relation to their use. \n8. Describe the cultural factors that influence our understanding of the terms 'career' and 'career development'. \n9. Identify which career development interventions connect with individual career theories. \n10. Reflect on your own approach to supporting clients' career development that is grounded in established theory. \n\n### Learning Content\n\n**Course 1: Pre-21st Century Theories, Models, and Strategies **\n\nIn this course, learners are provided with an in-depth examination of key career development theories, frameworks, and models, exploring their historical context and practical applications. You will learn important terms and explore foundational theories pre-21st century, including Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation, Parsons’ Trait and Factor Theory, Holland’s Theory of Career Choice, and the Theory of Work Adjustment. The course also introduces Super’s Lifespace/Lifespace Model, two theories grounded in learning psychology – Krumholtz's Social Learning Theory (the precursor to Planned Happenstance) and Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Constructivism, a postmodern career development theory. By examining the strengths and limitations of each theory, you will have the knowledge to apply them effectively in your career practice. The course also explores cultural and diversity factors, teaching you to integrate theory-based interventions to support individual career paths. A final assessment will provide an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the career theories and its various elements. \n\n**Course 2: Career Development Theory in the 21st Century **\n\nIn this course, learners focus on 21st-century career development theories. You will gain an understanding of contemporary career theories, frameworks, and models, including Chaos Theory of Careers and the Workplace/Career Engagement Framework. You will learn to articulate the foundational concepts of these 21st-century theories and evaluate their strengths and limitations in practical contexts. Additionally, the course explores how cultural factors influence our understanding of 'career' and 'career development,' with a focus on developing inclusive practices for diverse and marginalized populations. By examining various career development interventions, evaluating career development tools, and reflecting on your own approach, you will be equipped to integrate these theories and models into your career development practice effectively.\n\n\n### Learning Experience, Activities\n\nThe self-paced online module includes reading text, viewing videos, and accessing articles to review. Reflective activities and knowledge check questions are embedded throughout. \n \n\n### Assessment\n\nThe learning outcomes are evaluated by a 40-question multiple-choice assessment with a requirement of 80% to pass.\n\n\n### Estimated learning effort\n\n6 hours\n________________________________________________\n![NSCDA Logo](https://factory.cancred.ca/c/htmltemplate/image/STKY4Wa1WPQZaEYB4/STN7XHa1WPQZaFUUT \"NSCDA Logo\")\n\n[**Learn more about NSCDA**](https://nscda.ca/)","id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/v1/badge/_/SWB18Va8NT1aBWI/criteria.html?v=2.0&c_id=28c032c74acdf4ad9493e944f407a0ad9fd68770af666e778c0e1758f11022b9"},"type":["Achievement"]}},"issuer":{"otherIdentifier":[{"identifierType":"systemId","type":"IdentifierEntry","identifier":"STKY4Wa1WPQZaEYB4"}],"image":{"id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/obv3/images/issuer/STKY4Wa1WPQZaEYB4","type":"Image"},"id":"did:key:z6MkiR693WsoXKsYTpb6Peg6VY33xpPnbiogtt9ktX31Skw1","email":"training@nscda.ca","description":"NSCDA: on the cutting edge of best practices, innovation, industry standards and professional certification for career development professionals.","name":"Nova Scotia Career Development Association","type":["Profile"],"url":"https://nscda.ca/"},"proof":[{"cryptosuite":"eddsa-rdfc-2022","created":"2026-03-01T22:20:35Z","proofPurpose":"assertionMethod","type":"DataIntegrityProof","verificationMethod":"did:key:z6MkiR693WsoXKsYTpb6Peg6VY33xpPnbiogtt9ktX31Skw1#z6MkiR693WsoXKsYTpb6Peg6VY33xpPnbiogtt9ktX31Skw1","proofValue":"z2GdsKCV112EvCPuYwk5Ay3VubXxje5jfZq5rU5g1njbtfYUQJ7n91kfkkPutzES7tqjtYngSUGXjYKNWjZgjdip5"}],"credentialStatus":{"id":"https://factory.cancred.ca/obv3/revoked/STKY4Wa1WPQZaEYB4/SWB18Va8NT1aBWI","type":"1EdTechRevocationList"},"@context":["https://www.w3.org/ns/credentials/v2","https://purl.imsglobal.org/spec/ob/v3p0/context-3.0.3.json","https://purl.imsglobal.org/spec/ob/v3p0/extensions.json"],"type":["VerifiableCredential","OpenBadgeCredential"]}