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 interprofessional practice resource, and an overall mark.
• Written feedback on strengths and areas for improvement based on the group presentation, 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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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.

In-class teaching:

This course is part of the Master of Professional Psychology Program, which requires in-person contact for all coursework. Coursework for this program focuses, in large part, on psychological 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. All teaching is in compliance with ANU COVID-19 policies, and students should ensure they remain abreast of these policies and information provided on MPP program and coursework Wattle sites.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Course and the Role of Psychologists in Health Settings
2	Health Behaviours, Theories, and Change
3	Psychological Issues and Practice in Chronic Disease
4	Motivational Interviewing
5	Interprofessional Practice in Health	Note: This workshop will be delivered via Zoom
6	Psychological Practice in Behavioural Cardiology and Chronic Pain	Written Report (40%) Due 8 September, 1159pm
7	Psychological Practice in Weight Management and Body Image
8	Applications of Professional Psychology in Organisational Settings
9	Applications of Professional Psychology in Forensic Settings	Interprofessional Practice Resource (20%) Due 6 October, 1159pm
10	Practice Design In-Class Group Presentation Preparation
11	Practice Design Group Presentations; Course Evaluation	Practice Design Group Presentation (40%) Due (in-class)

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Written Behaviour Change Report (40%)	40 %	08/09/2023	1,2,3
Interprofessional Practice Resource (20%)	20 %	06/10/2023	1,2,3
Practice Design Group Presentation (40%)	40 %	17/10/2023	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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. 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. All in-person delivery is conducted in accordance with ANU COVID-19 policy.

 

Aspects of this course (Weeks 1-3, 5-7) are co-taught with PSYC8104 Clinical Coursework IV: Health Psychology in the Master of Clinical Psychology program.

Examination(s)

Not applicable.

Assessment Task 1

Written Behaviour Change Report (40%)

The assessment is designed to provide students with experiential learning relating to the health behaviour change process, its empirical basis, and gain insight to support effective practice in the health context. 

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 this research to enable selection of a strategy for implementation in support of 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. Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle. 

Assessment Task 2

Interprofessional Practice Resource (20%)

This assessment task is designed to strengthen student competencies in interprofessional practice through reflection on content and activities included in the course. Students will use one case employed during the Interprofessional Practice Workshop (in Week 5) and write a reflection demonstrating essential principles and decision-making in interprofessional collaboration. Specifically, students will be required to undertake research to outline key areas a psychologist and another health professional (not a dietitian) would target, and respond to a series of questions to facilitate consideration of the similarities and differences between health professionals in client care, and effective ways to collaborate. Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle. 

Assessment Task 3

Practice Design Group Presentation (40%)

The assessment is designed to foster creativity and in-depth engagement with course content through the application of evidence-based practice principles to a fictional case. The assessment also develops competencies in teamwork and the delivery of professional development presentations for colleagues, including responding effectively to questions, and enables students to broaden their understanding of professional practice.

In this assessment piece, students will be divided into small teams and allocated a fictional case. As a team, you will undertake research to develop a proposed plan for assessment, formulation, and intervention, including contextual considerations, and prepare a 25-minute presentation (plus 10 minutes for questions) for delivery to your peers. Teams are required to work collaboratively, and should ensure the group presentation is designed and delivered in such a way that it develops the knowledge and skills of the audience with respect to the evidence-based practice in the focal problem. Groups and cases will be allocated, and preparation commenced, during class time in Week 10 of semester, with presentations delivered during class-time in Week 11. Please note that the task has been designed to enable completion during a brief period of time (as a team) in order to simulate the activities a clinician would undertake when preparing to see a client for the first time following receipt of a referral. Visual aids (e.g., a powerpoint presentation) must be utilised during the group presentation, and need to be submitted in Wattle by close of business on 17/10/2023. Detailed information about the assignment, including a marking rubric, will be made available on Wattle and discussed in class. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 assessment task. 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 and Interprofessional Practice Resource. 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 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 Access 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