PCO 512 Syllabus (Spears), p. 4

PCO 512: Ethical & Professional Issues in Counseling

Spring 2010 ▪ 3 Credit Hours

Monday, 12:30-3:10pm

Updated 11.12.09

Instructor: Douglas A. Spears, Ph.D. LPCC/s

Email:

Phone: 244-8428

Office: Counseling and Family Studies Department

On-Line Hours: 7:30-9:30 am. Monday-Thursday

Room – TBA

Course Description

This course is an introduction to key ethical and professional issues of interest to professional counselors. Highlighted will be the ethical guidelines and standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and Ohio counseling law.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are designed to meet CACREP requirements of Sec. II, K, 1 relating to the core component of Professional Identity, including understanding aspects of (a) history and philosophy of the counseling profession, (b) professional roles and functions, (c) technological competence, (d) professional organizations, (e) professional credentialing, (f) public and private policy processes, (g) cultural and advocacy processes, and (h) ethical standards of ACA and related entities. Students will also critique ethical guidelines and legal standards from a Christian perspective.

Method of Instruction

In general, the class will follow a lecture and discussion format. Active participation is required to help develop a richer understanding of the ethical and professional issues facing counselors. Learning will be facilitated via discussion of readings/scenarios, research, writing, and examinations. Students are expected to discuss their application, insights, and understanding of the reading and the exercises with the instructor and other students. It is essential that students prepare for class by reading assigned material prior to class.

Required Materials

Moodle and Email:

All students enrolled in this course are required to check Moodle and their email weekly for the duration of the course. Course announcements, changes to the syllabus, and memos from the instructor will be distributed via Moodle and/or email. Students are responsible for all information distributed in this manner.

Texts:

Corey, G., Corey, M., & Callanan, P. (2007). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

(2007). Codes of ethics for the helping professions (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. [packaged with Corey et al. (2007) text]Ethics Codes and Laws:

American Association of Christian Counselors. (2004). AACC code of ethics. Download from http://aacc.net/about-us/code-of-ethics

Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. (2008, January). Laws and rules. Download from http://cswmft.ohio.gov/

Grading/Evaluation

Assignment / Points / Points / Percentage
Pre-chapter self-inventories (10 x 10 pts each) / 100 / A / 475-500 / 95-100%
Ethical Analysis Paper / 100 / A- / 460-474 / 92-94.99%
Exam 1 / 100 / B+ / 445-459 / 89-91.99%
Exam 2 / 100 / B / 430-444 / 86-88.99%
Exam 3 (Final) / 100 / B- / 415-429 / 83-85.99%
Participation / Priceless / C+ / 400-414 / 80-82.99%
Total / 500 / C / 385-399 / 77-79.99%
C- / 370-384 / 74-76.99%
D+ / 355-369 / 71-73.99%
D / 340-354 / 68-70.99%
D- / 325-339 / 65-67.99%
F / ≤ 324 / < 64.99%

Pre-Chapter Self-Inventories (PCSI): At the beginning of each class period, you will turn in the completed pre-chapter self-inventory for the day’s Corey et al. (2007) reading. Complete the inventory once before reading the chapter and then go back and answer the questions again after reading the chapter (record your second set of answers to the left of the answer blanks). Self-inventories may be downloaded from Moodle or you can provide your own photocopy from the book. Each self-inventory is worth 10 points for a total of 100 points (20% of your final grade).

Ethical Analysis Paper: You will write a 5-6 page ethical analysis paper that reviews the legal and ethical (professional and Christian) issues involved in a provided scenario. A case scenario and detailed grading form with instructions will be provided on Moodle. Your paper should be submitted via Moodle through the upload assignment feature by class time on the designated day. Your paper should incorporate in-text citations and have a reference list. The paper is worth 100 points (20% of your final grade).

Professional writing:
All written work should conform to APA style. I highly recommend that you purchase an APA publication manual for use during graduate school (and beyond). Citation: American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC: APA. If you choose not to buy the publication manual, you may refer to the Mini-Manual of Style, which summarizes APA style and can be downloaded from CCU’s library webpage.

Exams: Material for each of the three exams may be cumulative and taken from readings, discussions, and lectures. Exam items may be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay. Exams are worth 100 points each for a total of 300 points (60% of your final grade).

Important Notes

Attendance and Participation: Because active discussion and experiential exercises are integral parts of the learning experiences in this course, class attendance is expected and participation in class activities and assignments is critical to your success in the course. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend class, you are still held responsible for all in-class material and any announcements made during class. Per the university’s policy (see the CCU student handbook), you have two days that are excused without penalty. If you miss three days, an additional assignment will be added. If you miss more than three classes, you will be dropped from the class and will be required to reapply for readmission to the class. A decision about your return to the class will be decided by the counseling academic committee. Because class time should be a priority, absences for lateness will be assigned as follows: 15 minutes late = ¼ day absence, 30 minutes late = ½ day absence, and over 45 minutes = 1 day absence.

Late Assignments & Missed Exams: All assignments and exams are expected to be completed on time and due at the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will be accepted only at the discretion of the instructor and will incur a penalty of 10% per day. If an assignment is turned in after the start of class, it is considered late. Exams will not be given late unless there is a personal medical or family emergency.

Christian Component: As we strive to provide a biblically-based approach to counseling, we expect you to evaluate all readings and discussions from a Christian perspective and work to integrate biblical truth into your life, thought, and work.

Student Conduct: Except under unusual circumstances, you should not arrive late or leave early. Cell phones should be turned off. You should not IM, text-message, or surf the web during class. During discussions, everyone is expected to be respectful of themselves and others. Keep in mind that it may not be appropriate to disclose your own psychological struggles to the class. If you become distressed about any material/discussions, please talk with me and/or make an appointment to see a counselor.

Accommodations: Students with special needs should speak with me or provide documentation to the office of Student Retention specifying accommodations required to help assure success.

Flexibility Clause: This syllabus is NOT a binding contract. The dates of lectures, exams, projects, etc. may be revised as the term progresses. All modifications to the syllabus will be announced in class and/or via Moodle.

Course Schedule

Date / Topic / Reading/Assignment
1.25 / Introduction to course; getting acquainted
Introduction to field of counseling
Professional ethics / Self-Assessment in Corey et al.
Corey et al. Chapter 1
2.1 / Counselor as person and professional
Counselor self-care / Corey et al. Chapter 2; PCSI
2.8 / Values and the helping relationship / Corey et al. Chapter 3; PCSI
2.15 / Multicultural perspective and diversity issues / Corey et. Chapter 4; PCSI
Ohio Laws & Rules
2.22 / Exam 1
3.1 / Client rights and counselor responsibilities / Corey et al. Chapter 5; PCSI
ACA Code of Ethics
3.8 / Spring Break / Spring Break
3.15 / Confidentiality
Multiple Relationships / Corey et al. Chapter 6; PCSI
Corey et al. Chapter 7; PCSI
3.22 / Competence and training
Professional organizations
Professional journals / Corey et al. Chapter 8; PCSI
AACC Code of Ethics
3.29 / Exam 2
4.5 / Supervision and consultation / Corey et al. Chapter 9
4.12 / Learning Lab 1 / Learning Lab 1
4.19 / Theory, practice, and research
Marital and family therapy / Corey et al. Chapter 10; PCSI
Corey et al. Chapter 11; PCSI
4.26 / Group & Community Work / Corey et al. Chapter 12; PCSI
Corey et al. Chapter 13; PCSI
5.3 / Discussion of ethical analysis papers / Ethical Analysis Paper/DUE
5.10 / Final Exam