Abstract:

To become a registered counsellor in Malaysia, one should enroll in any counselling programs that have been recognized by the Board of Counsellors (Malaysia). Training for counselling programs in Malaysia includes university degrees at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate levels. Generally, counselling programs in Malaysian higher learning institutions are designed to prepare individuals for a variety of counselling services that allow students to work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and private practices. In general, the development of the curriculum has been following guidelines by the Council for Accreditation of Counselling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the United States. Overall, the learning of this counseling program is conducted face-to-face for 14 weeks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that struck has affected the face-to-face learning journey. It also affects practicum and internship training because of the government's action to impose a movement control order (MCO) that prevents face-to-face learning on campus. This paper discusses how modifications in teaching and learning for counseling programs have been made by the Board of Counselors (Malaysia) to ensure the quality of counseling programs as a professional program.

Higher learning institutions were asked to make adjustments to enable some section of face-to-face learning to be carried out, especially the practical portion stated in the syllabus. The institution has also been given the flexibility to make adjustments by taking into account the form of courses that can be implemented via Online Distance Learning (ODL) or the conventional mode of face-to-face learning. Most of the theoretical courses are given the freedom to be held in online learning either using synchronous or asynchronous online learning methods. While practical courses or clinical skills must be implemented face to face. In this case, the incomplete grade will be given to students if they cannot fulfill face-to-face requirements. This will allow the student to complete those courses when the movement control order ends and the lecture is allowed to run as usual. Besides, if the course required some part of practical activities, the teaching and learning can be the combination of Online Distance Learning (ODL) and face-to-face. The weightiness of the portion depends on the course outline or course program set by the institution.

Keywords:

Malaysia, Counselling program, Online Distance Learning, Higher learning institutions, Board of Counsellors (Malaysia).