Abstract:

The hybrid program in counseling education (MAC-OH) was established using an innovative online platform (Moodle) in 2007 after consideration of the existing community offerings (http://www.adler.edu/UserFiles/File/Adler_bMAC.pdf).

The main challenges were to deliver the curriculum to meet program requirements and to prepare students for licensure in the state of Illinois (www.idfpr.com) while also being accessible for working professionals:
• Residence requirements promoted a cohort experience. This was done by reshaping the time commitment to an intensive two-day format (a total of 15 hours over a Saturday and Sunday) with on-campus requirement three times per year.
• Courses were staggered in a sequence to ensure that no student would be taking more than two courses at any one time, and each course would flow sequentially with due regard to existing practicum requirements.
• Opportunities encouraged student associations so they could obtain peer coaching and communicate with each other in an online format.
Outcomes included changes in the identification and orientation of instructors, intensified engagement of students during their residency, and more extensive connection through other virtual channels.

Future challenges include adapting this approach to suit an influx of international students and securing the right resources for fluidity in course offerings throughout the year to suit every learner’s time frame.

Keywords:

New trends in higher education, innovations in blended learning/ new experiences in curriculum design.