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Course Outline

PSY403 Ethical and Professional Issues In Psychology

Course Coordinator:Celine Jona (cjona@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course focuses directly on ethical and professional issues that arise in the professional practice of psychology. The style is dialectical, requiring discernment of the ethical issues, argument about the issues, and knowledge of how to approach new issues in order to engage in ethical best practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorial/workshop - 3 hours 3hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Course content encompasses professional practice and ethics associated with contextual decision-making, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, managing subpoenas, professional competence, multiple relationships, record keeping and assessments, treatments and endings, relationships and advertising, working in rural and remote settings, and registration. 

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
1 Demonstrate knowledge of the APS Code of Ethics and associated Guidelines regarding the practice of psychology. Knowledgeable
Ethical 
2.2, 2.3
2 Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical issues confronting psychologists in professional practice. Knowledgeable
Ethical 
2.2, 2.3
3 Apply that knowledge to analyse and formulate responses in hypothetical practice situations. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical 
2.2, 2.3
4 Apply ethical decision making approaches to the formulation and analysis of ethical dilemmas. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical 
2.2, 2.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
2.2 Taking into account broad diversity, and consistent with current relevant legal frameworks and codes of ethical practice, graduates apply psychological knowledge to competently and ethically demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
2.3 Taking into account broad diversity, and consistent with current relevant legal frameworks and codes of ethical practice, graduates apply psychological knowledge to competently and ethically demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program AR403, AR405 or AR645

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early formative feedback will be incorporated into class activities.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 40% 
2000 words (maximum, no +/- 10%)
 Week 8 Online Submission
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 40% 
10 minutes per week, over 10 weeks.
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Test (Quiz)
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 20% 
60 minutes (consider taking about 15 minutes per short-answer question)
 Exam Period Online Test (Quiz)
All - Assessment Task 1:Report: Professional ethics
Goal: 
With reference to a specific circumstance (details to be given on Canvas by the end of Week 1), you will critically discuss those circumstances to which the APS Code of Ethics is referring to from the point of view of: 

(a) psychologist responsibilities 

(b) tools that psychologists have at their disposal to assistant in this context

(c) ethical guidelines that have been developed to assist psychologists to act in accordance with the APS Code 

(d) relevant research and professional writing in psychology relevant to the context
Product: Report
Format: 
The written summary will adhere to APA publication style. The word length will be 2,000 words, excluding the title page and references section. An abstract is not required.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Clearly articulates the major issue (25%)
 1 2
2 
Coverage of the psychologists' legal responsibilities (25%)
 2 3
3 
Coverage of Ethical Guidelines that have been developed to assist psychologists to act in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics (25%)
 1 3 4
4 
Inclusion of other relevant research and professional writing in psychology (10%)
 2 3
5 
Quality of presentation, including the use of APA style (15%)
All - Assessment Task 2:Quiz/zes
Goal: 
You will complete weekly online quizzes via Canvas to facilitate the integration of theory and practice taught throughout the program regarding knowledge of the APS Code of Ethics, the APS Ethical Guidelines, ethical issues in professional psychology practice, and ethical decision-making.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format: 
Weekly online quizzes comprised of multiple-choice questions. The questions will be based on material covered during the learning materials (Weeks 3-13) and from the prescribed textbooks. Each quiz will be approximately 10 minutes in duration; you are permitted to refer to the APS Code of Ethics and APS Ethical Guidelines as required.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Responses to the quiz questions will be marked on accuracy of responses.
 1 2
All - Assessment Task 3:Short-answer quiz
Goal: 
You will complete the short answer quiz via Canvas to demonstrate your knowledge of the APS Code of Ethics, the APS guidelines and the various common ethical issues faced by psychologists. In the quiz you will also demonstrate your ability to engage in ethical decision making.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
You will provide a response to four short answer questions which cover various ethical scenarios. You are encouraged to refer to the APS Code of Ethics and the APS ethical guidelines as required.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Response to the short answer quiz questions will be marked on accuracy of responses.
 1 2 3 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Alfred Allan,Anthony Love 2010 Ethical Practice in Psychology n/a Wiley

Specific requirements

Information regarding prescribed texts or other associated resources will be made available on the Canvas site prior to commencement of study.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

You must contact your Course Coordinator and follow the relevant procedure on Canvas to provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternative assessment.

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

-The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
-The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
-You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative):

- 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
- 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
- 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task

A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.

To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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