In this course, you will learn about the regulatory, organisational, ethical and legal frameworks that apply to psychologists and how these are applied across a range of population groups, professional roles and practice settings.
The course will address ethical codes, guidelines, resources and reasoning; relevant legislation; practice management and professional administration; supervision, consultation and career management. You will gain knowledge about modifying assessment and intervention approaches to ensure that they are appropriate for particular population groups, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and competence.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key ethico-legal frameworks in applied psychological practice.
2. Identify and reflect critically on ethical conflicts and how they can be resolved with reference to key frameworks and resources.
3. Incorporate cultural, social and developmental considerations into professional practice.
4. Understand and work within the boundaries of their professional competence.

Research-Led Teaching

All lecturers will make use of evidence drawn from relevant disciplinary research to benefit student learning and outcomes. Some may share their own research findings with students. This will provide students with special insights into the specific topics discussed. Having access to lecturers who are also key leaders in the field may mean that the listed lecture sequence, that is, the lecture topics may change to another week in order to accommodate access to these experts.

Field Trips

Not Applicable

Additional Course Costs

Required readings and other resources will be listed or uploaded on Wattle throughout the course. These will be provided for each session.

Examination Material or equipment

There will be no permitted materials for examinations in this course.

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. All course materials, pre-course readings, and recommended resources will be made available on Wattle.

• APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines (Copies will be provided)
• http://www.psychology.org.au/practitioner/essential/ethics/?ID=1239#s1
• Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Standards and Guidelines (Relevant copies will be provided) http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/
• ANU Psychology Clinic Policies and Procedures Manual (Copy will be provided)
• National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce (Copy will be provided)
• http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/mental-pubs-n-workstds
• Relevant Federal and Territory Acts of Parliament (Copies are available at the following websites)
• http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/default.asp
• http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/
• https://www.comlaw.gov.au/
• Summary of legislation – Produced by 2016 Clinical Cohort

Recommended Resources

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:

• Written comments on assignments.
• Verbal comments.
• Feedback to the whole class.
• To groups; and
• To individuals.

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. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Student feedback to staff:

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELTS) 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 delivered entirely in-person in 2024. 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 in-person delivery is conducted in accordance with ANU COVID-19 policy. Students should keep abreast of these policies and also refer to specific information on the MPP program Wattle site regarding in-person teaching in the context of COVID-19.

Course Structure

This course is run as four workshops during the first half of the first semester to ensure students are competent to commence simulated clinic activities.

Pre-Workshop Reading

Workshop 1:

1.   Read - Cottone, RR & Tarvydas, V. (2016). Ethics and Decision Making in Counselling and Psychotherapy, pp 4-9; pp 96-101.

2.   Complete Clarification of Morals Exercise – Box 1.1 (Cottone & Tarvydis, p7.)

3.   Read - APS Code of Ethics pp 6-7.

4.   Read - Quick navigation of our legal system.

5.   Read - Guide to referencing APS Code of Ethics, Ethical Guidelines and Legislation

6.   Complete Ethical Dilemmas sheet.

Workshop 2:

1.   Read - Understanding Child Sexualised Behaviour.

2.   Read - Ethical Boundaries and Dual Relationships.

3.   Read - Keeping Children and Young People Safe booklet.

Workshop 3

1.   Read - MH Workforce Standards – pp 42-44 Principles of recovery oriented mental health practice.

Workshop 4:

1.   Read – Access to Children’s Medical Records (Bird)

2.   Read – APS: When the subpoena comes.

3.   Read - Sched 1 Expert Witness Code of Conduct.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Ethical and Legal Aspects of Clinical Practice.1.   Principles of Ethics - APS Code of Ethics 2.   Legislation relevant to practice as a psychologist
2	Mandatory reporting and Child Protection Training1.   Boundaries and sexual propriety2.   Child sexualised behaviour3.   Child abuse and neglect4.   Mandatory reporting	Legislation and Ethical Codes Quiz
3	Professional Aspects of Clinical Practice1.   Roles and responsibilities as a Provisional Psychologist 2.   Role of psychologists in the workplace, relationships with other professionals 3.   Record keeping 4.   MH Workforce Standards	Mandatory Reporting and Sexualised Behaviours Quiz
4	Application of Ethics in Clinical Practice1.   Working with vulnerable, minority and marginalised groups2.   Psychology in a forensic setting, release of information, subpoenas, and privilege, appearing in court.
5
6		Response to Ethical Dilemmas

Tutorial Registration

Not Applicable

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Legislation and Ethical Codes Quiz (Hurdle)	25 %	26/02/2024	1,2
Mandatory Reporting and Sexualised Behaviours Quiz (Hurdle)	25 %	04/03/2024	1,3
Response to Ethical Dilemmas (Hurdle)	50 %	25/03/2024	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

In class discussion and participation in line with the Masters of Professional Psychology Handbook.

Examination(s)

There is no central examination scheduled for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Legislation and Ethical Codes Quiz (Hurdle)

Using the resources provided, students are required to complete an on-line test of their understanding of Legislation applicable to psychologists, the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, and the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Standards and Guidelines in response to ethical and professional scenarios. Includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions.

Assessment Task 2

Mandatory Reporting and Sexualised Behaviours Quiz (Hurdle)

Using the resources provided, students are required to complete an on-line test of their understanding of legal and professional issues pertaining to mandatory reporting requirements, abuse and neglect, and recognising child sexualised behaviours in response to ethical and professional scenarios. Includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions.

Assessment Task 3

Response to Ethical Dilemmas (Hurdle)

Students will be provided with several ethical dilemmas and, with reference to relevant APS Code of Conduct and Ethical guidelines as well as any pertinent legislation, are required to outline the professional response to resolving one of these dilemmas. Additionally, students are required to provide a written personal reflection on the issue. Word limit of 1250 words, comprising short answers.

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

Assignments are to be submitted using Turnitin by 8:00am on the due date. Assignments must include a cover sheet. Please keep a copy of assignments completed for your records. 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

Not Applicable

Late Submission

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

• Late submission permitted. The granting of extensions will be considered at an individual level by the course coordinator. The current submission dates are designed to ensure work can be assessed and feedback which will aid student learning is given in a timely manner. Please contact the course coordinator if you need an extension.
• 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 via Turnitin. It is intended that the marked written assessment will be returned within 3 weeks from submission

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 which meets requirements for a passing grade (50%) will result in a student receiving feedback on the area/s requiring remediation and one opportunity for resubmission of the assignment to address these issues. 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. The need to re-submit the same assignment twice due to inadequate performance will result in overall failure of the assessment piece, and thus the course, which will need to be repeated in a future offering.

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