Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Professional Resiliency and Well-Being in Behavioral Health (Online)

PSY 2020-30I

Course: PSY 2020-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 30748

Course Description

This course focuses on health, wellness, personal growth, and bringing these elements together for a successful experience as a member of the workforce in the helping professions. This course will orient students to the purpose and structure of organizations and agency culture and climate as it relates to the emerging professional worker. Students will also be guided in identifying ways to maximize personal health and understand ways that stress hampers productivity, attitude, and motivation that often leads to burnout. By developing a growth mindset and understanding its importance, individuals can identify healthy coping mechanisms that decrease everyday stress. Stress is a powerful factor that leads to decreased health, motivation, and work satisfaction that hamper those in the workforce. Possessing psychological tools to combat stress is key to being able to adapt and cope as a skilled helper in the field of Behavioral Health. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Effective Human Relations: Interpersonal and Organizational Skills, Barry L. Reece, Monique Reece 14th edition, (2025), Cengage, Mason, Ohio.
The Resilient Life: Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health, Susan Biali M.D. (2022). Beaufort Books. SC. 
Mindset: Changing The Way You Think To Fulfil Your Potential, Carol Dweck, Ph.D., (2022), Random House Inc. NY.
Additional supplemental materials provided by instructor.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Objectives for the course:
Reece Textbook: Learning Objectives are located in the textbook
Module 1 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders 
·         Possess a working definition of the term addiction.
·         Understand the physical process of addiction, i.e., Chronic Relapsing Brain Disease.
·         Recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM - 5) severity                   index for clarifying dependence.
·         Understand the correlations between addiction, mental illness, and suicide.
Module 7 Ethics in Substance Use Recovery 
·         Describe the five parts of the recovery sphere.
·         Identify the purpose of recovery ethics.
·         Name four of eight recovery ethics.
·         Assess the relevance of each recovery ethic.
Week 1 & 2 Mindset #1 Mindset #2
1.    Discover how individuals view the world through different mindsets.
2.    Evaluate how different mindsets affect one’s behaviors.
3.    Explore how mindset’s impact success or failure.
4.    Discuss how different mindsets foster change in either a positive or a negative direction.
5.    Explain how to change a negative fixed mindset into a flexible mindset for positive outcomes.
Week 12 Boundaries
1. Discuss how to set boundaries in your life
2. Define how Boundaries affect decision making.
3. Explore how boundaries are self-protective for individuals
4. Describe how boundaries can assist in practicing self-care 
Week 13 & 14 Resilient Life
·         Identify whether you're approaching burnout and how to protect against it
·         Practice strategies, tools, and tips to help reduce stress, fortify your mental health, and increase your available energy for work and                 life.
·         Describe the four deeply ingrained personality traits that can set you up for burnout, and what you can do about it.
·         Explore neuroscience-based techniques that can "rewire" your brain, reduce stress hormones, decrease anxiety, and help restore                  your sense of calm and control 
·         Discuss ways to reconnect with and make time for what matters most, allowing you to reclaim meaning, purpose, and passion in your            life. 

Course Requirements

Textbook Chapter Readings: There are weekly chapters assigned from the textbooks. 
Tests: Canvas Uses the word quizzes to refer to tests. There will be  9 weekly tests over the textbook chapters, 
SUITE Modules: There are 2 modules on substance use disorder, Introduction to Alcohol & Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Ethics in Substance Use Treatment. These are intensive power point presentations aimed at providing relevant information as an overview of substance use disorders. Students must go through the power point presentation before attempting the knowledge check quiz and printing out the certificate for completion of this educational intensive.
Assignments:
Written Assignments: There are 4 assignments which does not include the discussion posts.
Reflection Paper: There will be one reflection paper required.
Professional Resiliency Plan: Students will develop a six-point resiliency plan to guide their future journey into health and wellness. 
Self-Assessment: The Self-evaluation will describe what the student has learned over the semester.
Discussion Board Posts: There will be 4 discussion board posts over the semester. 
Summary Briefs: There will be 3 summary brief written papers due. 
Extra Credit- Final Discussion: 
Each of the ten life Preserver Badges that students capture by completing an extra learning activity is worth 3 points. At the end of the course the badges will be worth up to 30 extra credit points toward the total amount of points earned. The purpose of the badges is for students to have extra practice with the concepts and receive bonus points in addition to the regularly assigned course work. The bonus activities are not meant to substitute for the required activities but to enhance the assigned tasks. The badges are designed to coincide with the weekly material and will be available to encourage students to begin working with the material, however, must be completed by the week that the other material is due for that week as per the course schedule outline. Each badge is worth 3 points whether you collect all 10 or only a few toward your final grade.

 

Course Outline

 | Week of |   | Chapters | Due Dates
 | Week 1 8-27 | Review Course Syllabus Begin reading the book Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil You Potential |   | Syllabus Test  Dweck text P. 1-104  Brief Summary Paper Mindset #1 Due: 8-31 
 |   |   |   | 
 | Week 2 9-01 Labor Day | Mindset: Changing The Way You Think To Fulfil You Potential    |  Mental Health Agency | Dweck text P. 105-208 Brief Summary Paper Mindset #2  Reflection Paper Mental Health Agency  Due:9-07
 | Week 3 9-08 | Chapter 1 Introduction to Human Relations  Chapter 2 Improving Personal and Organizational Communications  SUITE Module 1 Introduction to Alcohol & Substance Use Disorder | SUITE Module 1 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders Due  Allow 1.5 hours to complete the SUITE Module-complete the 10-question knowledge check at the end and collect your certificate for your resume | Text pages 3-47 Quiz 1 (over chapters 1 & 2)  SUITE Module 1  Due:9-14  BADGE 1
|   |   |   | 
| Week 4 9-15 | Chapter 3 Understanding Your Communication Style  Chapter 4 Building High Self Esteem   |      | Text pages 51-96 Quiz 2 Due: 9-21  BADGE 2 BADGE 3
|   |   |   | 
| Week 5 9-22 | Chapter 5 Personal Values Influence Ethical Choices  Chapter 6 Attitudes Can Shape Your Life  |   | Text pages 100-137 Quiz 3 Due 9-28  BADGE 4
|   |   |   | 
| Week 6 9-29 | Chapter 7 Motivating Yourself and Others  Chapter 8 Developing Your Professional Presence & Personal Brand |   | Text pages 139-182 Quiz 4  Due 10-05 
|   |   |   | 
| Week 7 10-06  | Chapter 9 Improving Interpersonal Relations with Constructive Self-Disclosure  Chapter 10 Achieving Emotional Balance in a Chaotic World     | Fitness for the Profession article and discussion board post due | Text pages 186- 228 Quiz 5  Discussion Board post Due 10-12  BADGE 5   
|  Week 8 10-13 | SUU Fall Break-10-13 and 10-14  Chapter 11: Applying the Science of Positivity and Happiness to Power Your Life  |  Article: 14 Things Successful People Do Every Day    | Text pages 232-250 Quiz 6  Discussion Board Post  Due 10-19   Resume Due 10-19 
|   |   |   | 
| Week 9 10-20 | Chapter 12 Team Biding: A Leadership Strategy  Chapter 13 Leadership Strategies and Developing Highly Effective Teams   |         | Text pages 255-302 Quiz 7  BADGE 6  Discussion Board Post Due 10-26 
|   |   |   | 
| Week 10  10-27 | Chapter 14 Resolving  Conflict and Dealing with Difficult People  Chapter 15 Valuing Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |   | Text: 307-350 Quiz 8 Due 11-02  BADGE 7
|   |   |   | 
| Week 11  11-03   | Chapter 16 The State of Gender Equality  Chapter 17 Creating a Life Plan for a Fulfilling Life |    | Text: 354- 401 Quiz 9 Due 11-09  BADGE 8  BADGE 9
|   |   |   | 
| Week 12  11-10 | Suite Module 7 Recovery Ethics in Substance Use Treatment   Boundaries Flip Chart  Resume Tips Resume Example |  Remember to allow up to 1.5 hours to complete the SUITE Module- and complete the 10-question knowledge check at the end and collect your certificate for your resume | SUITE Module 7  Resume and Boundaries Brief Due 11-16   BADGE 10
|   |   |   |  
| Week 13 11-17 | The Resilient Life: #1 Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health, Susan Biali M.D. |   | Text: 1-112  Discussion Board Post Due 11-23   
|   |   |   |  
| 11-24 | Thanks  | Giving | Break
| Week 14 12-01 | The Resilient Life: #2 Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health, |     | Text 113-197 Discussion Board Due  Professional Resiliency Final Project Plan Due 12-07  Self-Assessment Due 12-07
|   |   |   |  
| Week 15 12-08 | Finals Week | No Final Exam |  
 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Missed Assignments & Late Work: Missed assignments and late work will not be accepted unless students have made alternative arrangements with the instructor ahead of time due to an accident or illness that is documented. In case of an emergency, contact the instructor as soon as possible. Work is due on the date provided on the schedule, unless noted otherwise by the instructor. Please be aware that assignment due date and times are usually at 11:59pm on Sunday evening. This is as a convenience to students only, and the instructor is generally not available at this time. Students are encouraged to review the weekly schedule to provide ample time to email the instructor regarding questions or clarifications. Remember to log into the canvas shell early in the week to check due dates for assignments.  To be eligible for assignment extensions, students must have registered with the disability support services and have been given formal accommodations. Without this information, individual accommodations cannot be granted. 

Attendance Policy

The course is an on-line asynchronous course where assignments are built on the previous and current week’s learning materials. This is not a self-paced course but a structured and scheduled course and completion of weekly readings and assignments and/or tests is expected and required. 

Course Fees

None

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.