Psychological practice contributes to society in many domains and this course will provide students with an overview of current practice, challenges and opportunities in key areas. Students will have the opportunity to extend their knowledge of assessment, intervention and practice. Topics will change from year to year, but will cover some of the following:

• Health
• Organisational
• Education
• Forensic
• Government Policy and Reform
• Community

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the theoretical, scientific and ethical foundations of psychological practice in areas covered in the course.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of psychologists, respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in relevant practice areas.
3. Apply scientist-practitioner and evidence-based practice approaches to assessment and interventions in practice areas covered by the course.

Research-Led Teaching

The content of the classes is largely evidence-based (or based on current clinical recommendations where evidence is lacking). In addition, the lecturer in this course will share with you their own research that is relevant to this field, as well as guest presenters.

Field Trips

Not applicable.

Additional Course Costs

Not applicable.

Examination Material or equipment

Not applicable.

Required Resources

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Recommended Resources

Recommended Texts:

• Miller, S., Butler, W.R. & Rollnick, C.C. (2008). Motivational Interviewing in Health Care: Helping Patients Change Behavior. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
• Belar, C.D. & Deardorff, W.W. (2009). Clinical Health Psychology in Medical Settings: A Practitioner’s Guidebook. Washington, DC: APA.
• Andrasik, F., Goodie, J.L. & Peterson, A.L. (Eds). (2015). Biopsychosocial Assessment in Clinical Psychology. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
• American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Oral feedback on strengths and areas for improvement during role play tasks and in-class activities.
• Written feedback on strengths and areas for improvement for the behaviour change report, and an overall mark.
• Written feedback on strengths and areas for improvement based on the group presentation and practice resources, and an overall group mark.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Students must pass all assessment tasks in order to pass the course. Students should ensure attendance requirements as outlined in the Master of Professional Psychology program handbook.

Referencing Requirements:

Psychology uses the referencing style endorsed by the American Psychological Association:

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Failure to reference accordingly may result in the assignment needing to be re-submitted using the required referencing style.

Student feedback to staff:

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning Support (SELS) surveys, students may also be invited to provide course-specific feedback through a feedback survey developed by the lecturers within the Master of Professional Psychology program.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Course and the Role of Psychologists in Health Settings
2	Health Behaviours, Theory, and Change
3	Psychological Practice in Chronic Disease
4	Motivational Interviewing	Note: This class will be from 12-5pm for PSYC8521
5	Psychological Practice in Weight Management
6	Psychological Practice in Psycho-oncology	Written Report (40%) Due 3 September, 1700pm
7	Psychological Practice in Sleep Disturbance
8	Psychological Practice in Pain Management
9	Interprofessional Practice
10	Psychological Practice in Psychocardiology
11	Psychological Practice in Sexual Health; Group Presentations I and II	Group Presentation (30%) and Practice Resources (30%) Due in Class
12	Group Presentations III, IV and V; and Course Wrap-up	Group Presentation (30%) and Practice Resources (30%) Due in Class

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Written Report (40%)	40 %	03/09/2021	24/09/2021	1,2,3
Group Presentation (30%)	30 %	19/10/2021	09/11/2021	1,2,3
Practice Resource (30%)	30 %	19/10/2021	09/11/2021	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This course is part of the Master of Professional Psychology Program, which requires in-person contact for all coursework. In-person attendance, in the context of COVID-19, has been approved by the College of Health and Medicine and the ANU. Coursework for this program focuses, in large part, on psychological knowledge and skill development, which requires in-person demonstration, observation, and practice, especially through the use of role-playing and simulating clients. As a result, in-person delivery is essential to meet the learning goals in this professional training program. Students will be informed of this during their orientation week and encouraged to discuss any potential concerns with the course conveners. All in-person delivery is conducted in accordance with ANU COVID-19 policy.

 

This course is co-taught with PSYC8104 Clinical Coursework IV: Health Psychology in the Master of Clinical Psychology program.

Examination(s)

Not applicable.

Assessment Task 1

Written Report (40%)

Each student is required to complete a behaviour change assignment and report. This task will be completed over the period of at least four weeks, and so students should ensure commencement of the task at the beginning of semester. Students will need to demonstrate their ability to identify and define a focal health behaviour; select and implement self-monitoring strategies as related to this behaviour, and use these to set a one-week behaviour change goal; undertake a literature search and critically analyse research to enable selection of a strategy for implementation to support their one-week behaviour change goal; implement the chosen strategy and monitor the focal behaviour over the course of one week, and; evaluate and reflect on their experience of behaviour change to inform professional practice. The assessment is designed to provide students with experiential learning relating to the health behaviour change process, its empirical basis, and gain insight supporting effective practice in the health context. Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle. 

Assessment Task 2

Group Presentation (30%)

In this assessment piece students will be divided into five teams comprising five students each (incorporating a combination of clinical psychology and professional psychology students). In these teams, you will prepare a professional presentation for delivery to your peers. Each team will undertake research on one allocated chronic health condition and use this to propose an interprofessional service which aims to promote health and well-being in adults with this condition in Canberra. Each team is required to work together collaboratively, with all team members contributing equally. The group presentation should be designed and delivered in such a way that it develops the knowledge and skills of the audience with respect to the focal condition, including empirically-supported information about the condition, the interprofessional service proposed, and the psychologists’ role within the service. The assessment is designed to foster creativity and in-depth engagement with course content through the application of interprofessional and psychological principles to health service delivery for one specific condition. The assessment also develops competencies in teamwork and the delivery of professional development presentations for colleagues, including responding effectively to questions.Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle. 

Assessment Task 3

Practice Resource (30%)

Within each team, students will be allocated one of five topics relevant to their group presentation on which they need to individually lead the creation of a one-page practice resource for psychologists working in the context of their focal chronic illness. Although each topic will be led by one team member, the resources are collated and submitted as a team, and thus should reflect consistent formatting and design. Practice resources will be disseminated to other students in the class as a package during the group presentation. The assessment is designed to enhance competencies in communicating complex information to professionals, including psychologists and those from other professions, succinctly and in an engaging manner. The task also furthers competencies in teamwork. Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Submitting assignments on time is one aspect of the professionalism required from all clinical students. If extenuating or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., medical illness) prevent the timely submission of an assignment, the student should request an extension from the Course Convener. Failure to obtain approval for an extension will result in the student failing that assignment and being required to submit a new assessment piece. Students should note that given two assessment tasks in this course are completed within a group, they also have obligations to team members to ensure the timely completion of activities. No extensions can be approved for the delivery of group presentations and practice resources as these are scheduled within classtime.

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted for Group Presentation and Practice Resource assessment tasks. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted for Written Report. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned through Wattle approximately two weeks after the due date.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Grading in the Master of Professional Psychology program reflects achievement of competencies as appropriate to developmental level. As such, students will be provided with grades indicating that competency has been met (Course Requirement Satisfied: CRS) or not met (Fail).

Failure to submit an assignment of a high standard will result in the student receiving feedback on the area/s requiring remediation and then resubmission of the assignment. This opportunity is provided only in circumstances where a genuine attempt to address the assignment requirements was determined to be made in the first submission. If the resubmission satisfactorily addresses the issues identified, a grade of CRS will be awarded for the task. As specified in the 2021 Master of Professional Psychology Program Handbook, the need to re-submit the same assignment twice due to inadequate performance will result in overall failure of the course and the need to repeat it.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students