Professionalization Group

PP7111

Thursdays 4:30-5:30

2007-2008

Amberly Panepinto, Ph.D.Office 1306

312-777-7686Office Hours – Th 9-11

r by appointment

Objectives:

  1. To assist students in making a successful academic and personal transition to Argosy University/Chicago’s ISPP.
  2. To familiarize students with the mission of the school program.
  3. To acquaint students with the various roles, responsibilities, and work settings of the professional psychologist.
  4. To promote personal and professional growth.
  5. To provide academic advisement to students regarding school policies, procedures, course selection, and requirements.
  6. To facilitate adherence and commitment to the ethical codes and standards of the profession.
  7. To assist with practicum planning and placement.
  8. To sensitize students to the issue of diversity as a central component of professional training.

Course Purpose and Policies:

The Professionalization Group may include didactic presentations, discussions, student presentations, small group tasks, experiential exercises, guest faculty visits, and service learning. Learning and growth occur most optimally in an environment of safety and trust. Students are requested to collaborate in creating and maintaining such an atmosphere.

Confidentiality of students’ self-disclosure is required.

Grading:

The Professionalization Group is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. In-depth feedback on performance in class and on writing assignments will be provided throughout the year. Assignments are designed to promote both professional and personal growth in an atmosphere where one can make mistakes without the repercussions of a grade.

Requirements:

  1. Students are expected to attend all meetings, read all materials, complete assignments by the required date,and to participate in class discussions.
  1. Students are requested to contact the instructor in advance if the student will be absent for a particular class. Absence from more than two sessions in a semester may result in a grade of No Credit.
  1. Students are encouraged to become student members of the American Psychological Association (APA).
  1. Specific activities for the spring semester will be detailed at a later date.

Assignments:

  1. Students will be required to complete a summary of an article (1 page) regarding successful matriculation of graduate students. This article can focus on one of a number of topics including,but not limited to, time management, stress management, test-taking skills, writing skills, and accessing support services. The article chosen must be something that you found using the library and database system at ArgosyUniversity.
  1. Students will prepare a curriculum vita for a CV workshop.
  1. Students will engage in a Social Action Project by engaging in an activity that allows you to develop skills useful as a psychologist-in-training. This is also a great way to begin building your CV. Examples of potential experiences will be presented in class. I would encourage you to think of ways that you can work on this project over the course of the semester (e.g. volunteer weekly) as more experience will help you in a number of ways including boosting CV, developing a professional identity, and feeling good about serving the community. Please write a short paper (no more than 3 pages) describing your experience, concentrating on a self-reflection about what you learned, how you grew, and with what you struggled. Each student will present their experiences to the class. I hope you will consider extending the volunteer work into the Spring semester as well.
  1. Student will be asked to lead discussions re: articles of particular interest to members of the group. This assignment is designed to foster skills of discussing scholarly work, thinking critically, and coordinating a group to accomplish a task.
  1. Additional assignments may be added throughout the course of the year based on the needs of the students. All class activities will be given with enough notice for students to complete assignments.

Required Reading:

American Psychiatric Association (2002). Ethical Principals of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Disability Statement:

It is the policy of Argosy University/Chicago Campus to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations to complete the instructor’s course requirements, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedure for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodation will be provided to the student upon request.

Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. It is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the instructor in order to receive the requested accommodations in class. In an effort to protect student privacy, Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with instructors.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism Statement:

The University seeks to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity. Any work submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student. Any source used by a student must be documented through normal scholarly references and citations and the extent to which any sources have been used must be apparent to the reader. The University further considers resubmission of a work produced for one course and a subsequent course or the submission of work done partially or entirely by another to be academic dishonesty. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification from the course instructor about how much help may be received in completing an assignment or exam or project and what sources may be used. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty or plagiarism shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the university.

MISSION STATEMENT: DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Program Outcomes: The Doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University Chicago Campus is an APA accredited program (APA, 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC20002, 202-336-5500). This program is designed to educate and train students so that they may eventually be able to function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum provides for the meaningful integration of theory, training and practice. The Clinical Psychology program at Argosy University Chicago Campus emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. Specific objectives of the program include the following:

  • Goal 1: Prepare professional psychologists to accurately, effectively, and ethically select, administer, score, interpret, and communicate findings of appropriate assessment methods informed by accepted psychometric standards and sensitive to the diverse characteristics and needs of clients.
  • Objective 1a: Accurately and ethically administer and score various psychodiagnostic instruments.
  • Objective 1b: Accurately interpret and synthesize assessment data in the context of diversity factors, referral questions, and specific objectives of the assessment, and organize and communicate results in writing and orally.
  • Objective 1c: Examine psychometric properties of psychological assessment instruments, and use that knowledge to evaluate, select, administer, and interpret psychological tests and measures appropriate for the client, the referral question, and the objectives of the assessment.
  • Goal 2: Prepare professional psychologists to select, implement, and evaluate psychological interventions consistent with current ethical, evidence-based, and professional standards, within a theoretical framework, and with sensitivity to the interpersonal processes of the therapeutic relationship and the diverse characteristics and needs of clients.
  • Objective 2a: Synthesize the foundations of clinical psychology, including psychopathology, human development, diagnosis, diversity, ethics, and various therapeutic models in clinical applications.
  • Objective 2b: Select, plan, and implement ethical and evidence-based interventions with sensitivity to the diverse characteristics and needs of clients.
  • Objective 2c: Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively implement and participate in psychological consultation and supervision.
    Objective 2d: Demonstrate personal development and self-reflective capacity, including growth of interpersonal skills, and therapeutic relationships.
  • Goal 3: Prepare professional psychologists to analyze the complexity and multidimensionality of human diversity, and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to understand diverse worldviews and the potential meaning of social, cultural, and individual differences for professional psychological services.
  • Goal 4: Prepare professional psychologists to examine the historical context and the current body of knowledge of biological, cognitive, affective, developmental, and social bases of human functioning.
  • Goal 5: Prepare professional psychologists to critically evaluate the current and evolving body of scholarly literature in psychology to inform professional practice.

Library Resources:ArgosyUniversity’s core online collection features more than 21,000 full-text journals, 23,000 electronic books and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers, Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences.All electronic resources can be accessed through the library’s website at User IDs and passwords are distributed during orientation, but can also be obtained at the circulation desk, calling 312-777-7653, or by e-mail at .

In addition to online resources, ArgosyUniversity’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials searchable in the Library Online Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections.Alternatively, students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference assistance from campus librarians.

Information Literacy: ArgosyUniversity’s Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach fundamental and transferable research skills, including selecting sources appropriate for academic-level research, searching periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluating and citing information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at