Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Pro Roles & Ethics Practicum (Online)

PSY 3800-30I

Course: PSY 3800-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 32980

Course Description

Professional Roles and Ethics Practicum in Psychology prepares students for field placement experiences. It includes professional, ethical, legal, and clinical issues relevant to becoming a successful human service professional. This is a designated Service-Learning course. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 and PSY 2010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

·   Pope, K. S. & Vasquez, M. J. T., Chavez-Dueńas, N.Y., Adames, H.Y. (2021). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide, 6th ed. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 
·   Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct can be downloaded free from the American Psychological Association website, apa.org/ethics

Learning Outcomes

1. Ethical Reasoning – By the end of the semester you will learn basic principles of appropriate legal and ethical practice.  By the end of the semester, you will be able to describe and analyze positions on ethical issues, apply reasoning about right and wrong human conduct, demonstrate ethical decision-making, and demonstrate an evolving ethical self-identity.  
2. Integrative Learning – By the end of the semester you will be able to make connections between what you are learning in the classroom and apply it to the real world.  
3. Personal and Social Responsibility – Making a difference in the lives of others in a professionally competent and responsible manner constitutes the theme of the entire course.  As a result of this course, you will acquire and implement knowledge and skills to work with and serve others.

Course Requirements

Attendance 
This is an online course with no formal meeting schedule. No attendance will be taken. However, this course is not self-paced and students are expected to consistently participate in order to maximize their ability to learn the content. In general, the course follows a weekly format and modules are opened at the beginning of the week, similar to an in-person course.
 
Quizzes 50 points (10 Quizzes x 5 points each) 
There will be at least 10 quizzes throughout the course.  Each quiz contains five questions that are either multiple choice, true/false or essay questions.  If more than 10 quizzes are given, your lowest quiz score will be dropped.  Keep in mind that these quizzes will contain material similar to what you will find on the midterm and the final.  Unless you have a university approved absence, you cannot make up the quiz.  
 
Discussion Boards 20 points 
There will be discussion board activities frequently throughout the course.  The topics will vary depending on the content in the course. Specific instructions will be posted within each discussion board. When assigned, be sure to complete the discussion board activity by the deadline. 
 
Ethical Dilemma Discussions 30 points 
For this simple assignment, you will respond to ethical dilemmas posted on Canvas. These dilemmas represent realistic scenarios that therapists encounter when working with clients. You will respond to the ethical dilemma with a brief analysis of the issue that includes reference to the relevant ethical codes.  You will include additional information that you would want to know. Lastly, you will provide a solution or potential solutions that would be the best course of action to take. 
 
Self-Reflection Assignment 15 points 
In this assignment, you will compare your knowledge of ethics before the course (part 1) and after the course (part 2). This is a brief written assignment where you will respond to a set of prompts. Additional information will be provided on Canvas. 
 
Exams 150 points (50 points for each exam, and 50 points for the final) 
There will be 2 exams during the semester and a cumulative final.  These exams are all available online and students must complete the exam by the deadline. The exam will be open for approximately one week, students must take the exam within this timeline. No late exams are offered. Exams are timed; students must complete the exam in one session; be sure to take the exam during a time you will not face interruptions. Students must complete exams independently. Students who provide information about exam material, or receive information about exam material, will be subject to procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy (SUU 6.33). Students with disabilities who are eligible for accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor to make arrangements.
 
Practicum Placement Identification Sheet 10 points 
For this brief assignment, you will provide information about where you will complete your practicum hours. You will list contact information for the agency, a brief description of the services provided, and describe activities you will participate in as part of your practicum role.  Additional details are provided on Canvas.  
 
Practicum Experience: Service-Learning Project  
Service learning is an important activity that will enrich your education and promote early professional development. Each student is required to complete 20 hours of service-learning to receive a passing grade in the class.  An incomplete practicum will result in a failing grade.  Do plan to begin your practicum as early as possible and discuss any concern over accruing sufficient hours as early as possible.  Students are encouraged to find a service-learning activity that aligns with their interests. Service-learning activities need to include engagement with individuals in a service-oriented agency. Hours must be voluntary (i.e., unpaid). Contact information for a site supervisor or coordinator need to be available to the instructor.   
 
Practicum Journal 50 points
Keeping a record of your service-learning experience provides excellent professional development and training. These journals should be typed.  To protect confidentiality – no identifying data about other staff, clients or agency consumers should be presented in the records. Each day the students attend their practicum site, they should write an entry that consists of a professional service record and a clinical process journal (description below). At the end of the journal, students will include a summary of their experience.
A.      Objective record of daily activities. This part of the journal is to be written as if you were an actual employee at the agency.  The objective record is a description of the activities that you completed in a shift.  Each entry will need a recording of the date and the time spent. 
B.      Clinical process journal. Unlike the previous portion, this much more subjective.  It is a record of your speculations, thoughts, feelings and experiences working with the clients and at the agency.  For example, this is a great place to identify areas you may seek further professional training –or not.  
C.      Summary. At the end of your journal, include a 2-3 page summary of your experience.  This portion is an overall reflection of the experience.  Be sure to include strengths and challenges of working in the setting, as well as ethical dilemmas that are likely to be encountered in this setting.  Also include how this experience informs your future career plans.

Course Outline

 | TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES   (Subject to change with advance notice)
| Week | Date Module Opens | Readings | Topic | Module Assignments (Deadlines listed on Canvas)
| 1 | 8/27   | APA Ethics: General Principles Book: Chapters 1-2, 5 | Intro & Syllabus   | Syllabus Quiz Discussion Board Self-Reflection Part 1
| 2 | 9/1 | APA Ethics Standard 3 & 10 Book: Chapter 16 Article: Fisher & Oransky | Intro to Ethics Informed Consent | Discussion Board Quiz 
| 3 | 9/8 | APA Ethics Standard 4 Book: Chapter 21 Article: Youngren and Harris | Confidentiality | Discussion Board Ethical Dilemma Quiz
| 4 | 9/15 | APA Ethics Standard 3 Book: Chapters 25 & 26 Article: Barnett | Boundaries   | Discussion Board Quiz 
| 5 | 9/22 | APA Standard 10 Therapy Book: Chapter 15 Article: Vasquez et al. | Therapy and Termination   | Discussion Board Ethical Dilemma Quiz Practicum Identification Sheet
| 6 | 9/29 | EXAM #1: This exam closes on 2/15 @ 11:59pm 
| 7 | 10/6 | APA Standard 2 Book: Chapter 6 | Competence   | Discussion Board Ethical Dilemma Quiz
| 8 | 10/13 | Book: Chapter 17   | Burnout & Self-Care   | Discussion Board Ethical Dilemma Quiz
| 9 | 10/20 | APA Standard 9 Book: Chapter 20   | Assessment   | Discussion Board Quiz
| 10 | 10/27 | APA Standard 1 Book: Chapter 3 (pgs. 27-39), 8, 19 | Ethical Complaints   | Discussion Board Quiz
| 11 | 11/3 | EXAM #2  This exam closes on 11/8 @ 11:59pm 
 | 12 | 11/10 | APA Standard 7 & 8 Article: Barnett & Molzon   | Supervision   | Discussion Board Ethical Dilemma Quiz 
 | 13 | 11/17 | Book: Chapter 22 | Suicide Assessment and Working with Minors   | Discussion Board 
 |   | 11/24 | Thanksgiving Break
 | 14 | 12/1 | Book: Chapters 7 & 23 Article: Goodkind | Cultural Competence | Discussion Board Quiz Self-Reflection Part 2 Practicum Journal
 | 15 | 12/8 | FINAL: Exam #3  Exam will close on 12/10 @ 11:59pm

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

Late assignments are not accepted unless there is an SUU approved absence on the due date of the assignment. 

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous online course, no attendance will be taken. However students are expected to consistently and actively participate as assignments open and close throughout the semester. 

Course Fees

This course does not have an additional fee. 

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.