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Southern Utah University

Fall Semester 2025

Clinical Pre-Practicum (Face-to-Face)

PSY 6510-07

Course:	PSY 6510-07
Credits:	1
Term:	Fall Semester 2025
Department:	PSY
CRN:	33493

Course Description

The clinical practicum consists of various clinical activities in the SUU Program Training Clinic (e.g., shadowing), clinical simulations with undergraduate students, and an introduction to clinical supervision. The main goals of this course are to (a) help students begin conceptualizing how to provide basic clinical services, (b) ensure that students begin to build a foundation they will ultimately use in their work with clients, and (c) help students develop their ability to provide accept constructive feedback related to their developing clinical efforts. There are no written exams, but there are written documents to be completed from client contacts or simulations thereof.

Required Texts

Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Parent Management Training: Treatment for Oppositional, Aggressive, and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (can be downloaded here)
ASPPB Code of Conduct (can be downloaded here)
Utah Administrative Code (can be accessed here)

Other assigned readings will be posted in shared Google Drive folder.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to introduce and practice the following Profession Wide Competencies (PWCs) in
Health Services Psychology as outlined by the American Psychological Association.

PWC II (Ethical & Legal Standards)

Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:
- The current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
- Relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the
  organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
- Relevant professional standards and guidelines.
Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

PWC III (Individual & Cultural Diversity)

Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves;
Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service; and
Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural
differences, including intersectionality, in articulating an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership,demographic characteristics, or worldviews differ with their own.

PWC IV (Professional, Values, Attitudes, & Behavior)

Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, the integration of science and practice, professional identity, accountability, and concern for the welfare of others.
Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.

PWC V (Communication & Interpersonal Skills)

Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
Manage difficult communication well.

PWC VI (Assessment)

Demonstrate current knowledge and application of knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity considerations and contextual influences (e.g., family, social, societal, and cultural) of the service recipient.
Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines,to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.

PWC VII (Intervention)

Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.Develop and implement evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity considerations, and contextual variables. This includes the ability to modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
Evaluate intervention effectiveness and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing progress evaluation.

Course Requirements

First-year students are not required to carry an independent caseload; however, active participation in the clinic is expected through structured observation and learning experiences. Each student will be assigned one to two specific cases to shadow over the course of the semester. Shadowing includes reviewing session videos, reading case notes, and following the client’s progress to gain familiarity with clinical processes.

In addition, first-year students are required to attend weekly group supervision meetings. To further develop foundational clinical knowledge, students will complete at least 30 minutes each week of literature review relevant to their shadowed cases or other areas of interest in clinical service delivery.

Training responsibilities include completing assigned readings (similar to those required in PSY 6520) and finishing all BBI trainings by the end of the Fall semester. Finally, first-year students will select one treatment manual to study during the semester. They will prepare a summary describing how the treatment approach applies to a case they have observed in the clinic. This assignment must reflect the student’s own critical thinking and may not be completed using AI or ChatGPT.

Structure of the Clinical Practicum

Group Supervision
Students meet as a practicum team with the faculty supervisor each Wednesday morning from 8:30-9:30 AM. In the unusual circumstances group supervision has to be canceled or rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict, the instructor will set up alternative supervision from another licensed faculty member or assign other activities that will support student development towards PWC competencies. The structure of group supervision will generally include:

Review of group members’ literature reviews and application to cases
Follow-up on any supervision assignments
Identification, review, and discussion of any ethical dilemmas or clinical questions related to multicultural competence
Review of technique, role-play, and case conceptualization

Individual Supervision
Students will meet with the instructor once a week for individual supervision. Meeting times will be established the first week of the semester. If the instructor has to cancel or reschedule individual meetings, other times for individual supervision that week or alternative supervision modalities will be offered unless absolutely infeasible due to circumstances, in which case times will be offered as soon as reasonably possible.

Roles and Responsibilities

Supervisor

Operates within practicum expectations outlined in the graduate and CCAC handbooks.
Oversees and monitors client case (assessment, conceptualization, treatment planning and intervention) within ethical/regulatory standards.
Reviews and signs off on all reports, case notes, and communications in a timely manner.
Develops and maintains a respectful and collaborative supervisory relationship that includes describing supervisor’s theoretical orientations for supervision and therapy, and maintaining a distinction between supervision and psychotherapy.
Assists the supervisee in setting and attaining goals and provides feedback that is anchored to these goals, objectives and competencies.
Provides formative and summative evaluation using benchmark rating forms.
Informs supervisee when competence criteria are not met and implements remediation plan.
Reschedules missed supervision session(s).
Maintains documentation of the clinical supervision and services provided.

Student-Therapist

Operates within practicum expectations outlined in the graduate and practicum handbooks.
Implements supervisor directives and discloses clinical issues, concerns and errors as they arise.
Seeks out and receives immediate supervision on emergent situations.
Identifies to clients his/her training status of supervisee, name of clinical supervisor, supervisory
structure, and obtains client’s informed consent for this structure.
Attends supervision sessions on-time and prepared to discuss client cases.
Takes advantage of training opportunities and supervision, records all sessions, follows through on supervision assignments, and keeps documentation up-to-date.
The student-therapist is expected to adhere to ethical/regulatory and professionalism standards including those established by APA and the training program. These include (but are not limited to) timeliness in all aspects of clinical work, professional dress, and respectful interactions with clients, supervisors, and colleagues.

Confidentiality within Supervision

Supervisor and student-therapist understand that limits of confidentiality exist for supervisee disclosures in supervision. While the supervisor is there to help promote development of broad professional identity, they also serve in an evaluative role. In our program, faculty supervisors regularly meet and review students’ progress in clinical practicum. In addition to these normative disclosures, supervisors may share information regarding student-therapist functioning or performance (including student disclosures to the supervisor) if it is determined to be significantly impacting their functioning within clinical practicum and/or the program more broadly.

Course Outline

Recurring Schedule
Wednesdays: Group Supervision

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

In the event of a University-approved absence or a significant medical problem, you must contact the instructor prior to the due date to discuss arrangements for making up a missed exam, presentation, or other graded requirement. Written documentation (e.g., official university notice, note from a licensed physician) will be required for any make-up work. Because this is a clinical practicum course, punctuality, reliability, and accountability are essential components of your professional responsibilities. In the clinical environment, meeting deadlines, being present, and fulfilling commitments are not only academic expectations but also ethical obligations to your clients, colleagues, and the profession. Missing assignments, assessments, or clinical duties without valid justification undermines the standards of practice and professional conduct expected in healthcare settings.

Personal events such as vacations, weddings, or oversleeping are not considered valid reasons for missing assignments or exams, and no exceptions to this policy will be made. Just as in professional practice, repeated or unexcused lapses in meeting obligations may have serious consequences, including loss of trust, missed opportunities, or impact on your ability to practice. The standards you uphold here reflect the standards you will be expected to maintain in your career.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation are critical components of this practicum. Students must attend at least 80% of all scheduled activities in order to pass the course. This includes both group and individual supervision meetings, which are required. If a student is unable to attend supervision for any reason, they must notify the instructor immediately.
Because supervision involves experiential learning that cannot be fully replicated, absences are expected to occur only in cases of program-related responsibilities or true emergencies. When an absence does occur, the student will be expected to complete alternative tasks as assigned in order to meet training requirements. Consistent with the program manual, more than two absences in a semester - whether from group or individual supervision - will result in a failing grade, as competence cannot be demonstrated without consistent participation in at least 80% of course activities.

Students are further expected to arrive at supervision sessions on time and prepared to engage, which includes being ready to discuss client cases, review materials, and contribute thoughtfully to the training process.

Use of Generative A.I.

Students are welcome to experiment with generative A.I. interfaces in generating ideas and examples for hypothetical treatment notes and plans. However, students must never enter any sensitive or potentially identifying informationinto any AI generator. Students are not permitted to use generative A.I. to write actual treatment notes or assessment reports, as the main objective of Clinical Practicum is for students to practice generating this content independently in order to understand the process of doing so and how to evaluate the content. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss any questions about appropriate generative A.I. use with their supervisor.

Course Fees

$4 per credit

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.

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