How Can it Really be Effective? Experiences of Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning in Online Counseling Graduate Programs

https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2024.21.4.17

Abstract

By interviewing eleven graduate students in online counseling programs, this interpretive qualitative study explored students’ perceptions and practical experiences of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. The results suggested that counseling students preferred in-person counseling classes to online courses, found synchronous methods more effective than asynchronous methods, considered asynchronous methods less stressful compared to synchronous methods, and felt that micro-counseling skills and emotional reactions were not fully attainable in their online counseling training programs. Based on these findings, we recommend further systematic investigation of counseling graduate students’ diverse experiences and perceptions of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.

Keywords: online counseling program, counseling graduate training, synchronous learning, asynchronous learning, counseling supervision, counseling practicum