phxville 0 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Hey All, My name is Janice, I graduated college last year with my degree in counseling...Well needless to say I somehow ended up in activities. Don't get me wrong, this job is the perfect fit for me and I love helping and working with people. I just have one problem, I am sick to death of the classroom setting and I need to get certified as soon as possible, so I can stop having to chase people down to sign my notes with me. Anyone know of a good video course that I could get through quickly and with the least amount of busy work as possible (since we all know enough of that comes with the job). Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DVT62 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 If you go to www.nccap.org there are several alternative methods to complete the MEPAP component for certification that you can look at. Keep in mind there are several components to the certification process. You can investigate all of the tracks on the NCCAP website to see which one would apply to you. Also keep in mind that all NCCAP approved instructors must follow the guidelines established by NCCAP and so there will no "quick and easy way" to get through this. You will have 180 hours of work to complete--hopefully you will view this as valuable information and not "busy work" even though I know you are burned out of school work at this time. If may be to your benefit to wait until your heart is in it. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phxville 0 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 I am sorry! I didn't mean to make it sound like I wasn't willing to work for my certification. I just want to find a way that I can do it that will be the most helpful and the least invasive( I don't have a lot of free time in life right now). Since I don't have the luxary of taking the course before I just head first into the job. Thanks for the NCCAP advice, I have looked into it I was just wondering if anyone had a specific course that they thought exceptional. I want to learn as much as possible and I know I have a lot of learning ahead of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilkesrose 0 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Hi, Janice! Your post kinda took me off guard there-----what do you consider "busy work"? Do you have a lot of down time? I only know of one way to get certified and that's to take the classes required. I am State Certified and working on National Certification. I haven't had any "busy work"---it's all been work! Good luck to you, and welcome to the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tinki Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 Hey, What state are you in? There are state programs that offer the basic activity directors course, if you want to head that route. I teach in Texas and I am afraid to say that the course will take up a lot of your time. In Texas all you need is the basic course to be considered a qualified AD and you will be able to sign all your own notes, etc. Try to just get the basic course through the state or NCCAP first. That course is the most important. I am curious is your administrator pushing you to get certified? Karen :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TThorland Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 Hi-- I teach the MEPAP Part 1 and 2 courses as an independent/home study that may work for you. If you are interested email me at: dtntt@wctatel.net Both courses are NCCAP approved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phxville 0 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 Thanks so much for all of the responses. To answer your question, no, my administrator is not really pushing me to get certified. I just don't like having to bother people to sign my notes. Everyone has enough to do with their own work. Not that my co-workers aren't understanding and totally helpful, I just would rather not have to track them down. As for "busy work", when I used that phrase I meant I don't have a lot of extra time to do work that unnessary. I am sorry if it sounds a little harsh, it's just that I finally finished 4 years of college and I just want to do my job now. I just want to learn how to do my job the best that I can, in a very practical way. Does anyone understand where I am coming from?? I feel like I am giving the wrong impression of my intentions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tinki Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 I understand the busy work, I have had some teachers in the past who love to give out busy work! Karen :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana 0 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 phxville, there is no need for you to explain yourself!!!! check out TThorland's post about home study and I think you will find it most helpful! I too finished with a BS in sociology/gerontology, and then found out that I loved activities and had to continue my education to become certifited! I almost didn't do it. Being certifited will be most beneficial - you won't reget the time you took, believe me! Good luck to you and don't let people who become offended easily (too many out there to count) try to insult you "nicely." Sounds like you know where you are headed! Glad you joined the field of Activity Professionals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phxville 0 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Diana, Thanks so much for the encouragement! You made my day...Also, thanks for the advice about the course. I sent the info to my administrator and I am going to keep looking into my options. Have a wonderful day, keep up the good work and positive attitude! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KHughes Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I might suggest that you also get involved with your local or state activities association. The networking aspect of this job is so important. Not only do these Boards assist us, but face to face with others is extremely valuable. Also don't forget to cntact the MEPAP Instructors in your state. A face to face class might assist you with finding out about the area and valuable resources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phxville 0 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 How would I go about doing that?? Do you have any idea? I would research myself but I only have very limited internet access at work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gina 2 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Hi Phxville, Here is the local Activity Directors association info. you can call to get involved in your area. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Activity Professionals Association Chrylann Fons 1195 McKnight Dr Bethel Park, PA 15102 Work: (412) 571-1300 Hope this helps! Gina :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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