This course is designed to introduce students to 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 the ability to research and resolve professional ethical issues including consent and confidentiality, professional competence, clinical boundaries, conflicts of interest, and record keeping, through reference to the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines and the Psychology Board of Australia Guidelines for Practice. 
2. Demonstrate the ability to identify and research relevant legislation relating to work as a Registered Psychologist and to identify and describe issues around providing evidence in court, responding to subpoenas and the difference between treatment and independent forensic reports.
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and resolve issues around child sexualised behaviours and abuse, professional responsibilities with respect to mandatory reporting, and to identify vulnerable groups in society and demonstrate an awareness of their unique clinical needs.

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 is no separate examination 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 

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos 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/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment. ANU outlines Recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning platforms you may use.

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). 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

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.

Legislation and Ethical Codes and Guidelines are to be referenced in accordance with the 'Guide to referencing APS Code of Ethics, Ethical Guidelines and Legislation' provided in the pre-workshop reading for Workshop 1.

Student feedback to staff:

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) 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 and 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. Students will be informed of this during their orientation week and encouraged to discuss any potential concerns with the course conveners.

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 (Half-day Mon 17 Feb):

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 (Half-day Mon 24 Feb):

1.   Read - Understanding Child Sexualised Behaviour.

2.   Read - Ethical Boundaries and Dual Relationships.

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

Workshops 3 and 4 (Full-day Mon 3 Mar):

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. Principles of Ethics - APS Code of Ethics Legislation relevant to practice as a psychologist
2	Mandatory reporting and Child Protection Training Boundaries and sexual propriety Child sexualised behaviour Child abuse and neglect Mandatory reporting	Legislation and Ethical Codes Quiz
3	Professional Aspects of Clinical Practice Roles and responsibilities as a Provisional Psychologist Role of psychologists in the workplace, relationships with other professionals Record keeping MH Workforce Standards	Mandatory Reporting and Sexualised Behaviours Quiz
4	Application of Ethics in Clinical Practice Working with vulnerable, minority and marginalised groups Psychology in a forensic setting, release of information, subpoenas, and privilege, appearing in court.
5
6		Response to Ethical Dilemmas

Tutorial Registration

The Master of Professional Psychology Program utilises Wattle to enable students to view their timetable for their enrolled courses.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Legislation and Ethical Codes Quiz (Hurdle)	25 %	23/02/2025	1,2
Mandatory Reporting and Sexualised Behaviours Quiz (Hurdle)	25 %	02/03/2025	1,3
Response to Ethical Dilemmas (Hurdle)	50 %	30/03/2025	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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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

Students will be participating in discussions and other activities during workshops. You will also be undertaking readings prior to lectures which provide vital foundations for lecture content and activities. Students are not formally assessed on these tasks, but they provide the foundation for understanding key concepts and skills related to the course, and assessable components of the course, and so are important to enrich your engagement with content and learning as a result. As such, students are expected to attend and participate in all aspects of the course to support their learning, including readings before each class.

Examination(s)

There is no 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. 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

Assignments are to be submitted using Wattle (Assignments 1 and 2) and Turnitin (Assignment 3) by 6:00pm on the due dates. Assignment 3 must include a cover sheet as stipulated. Please keep a copy of completed assignments for your records. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment.

Hardcopy Submission

Not Applicable

Late Submission

Late submission not permitted. Submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded. 

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 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). Given the open book nature of the assignments, students are expected to achieve 80% to receive a CRS grade.

Failure to submit an assignment to a sufficient standard 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 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 all ANU students