Argosy U Chicago/CE/Professional & Ethical Issues/syllabus/spring 2010/Tavakoli page 1
Argosy University, Chicago
M.A. in Professional Counseling Program
PC6300 Professional and Ethical Issues
Spring 2010
FACULTY: Name: Shedeh Tavakoli, Ph.D.
Phone:312-777-7706
Email:
Office: 1362
Office Hours: Mon 11:00 – 4:00
Tues & Weds 11:00 a.m. – 6:00
Thurs: by appointment
MEETING DATES:First Weekend Meeting: 3/26 – 3/28
Second Weekend Meeting:4/16 -4/18
CLASS SCHEDULE
Friday 6-8:45pm
Saturday9am-5pm
Sunday 9am-4pm
WEB-AUGMENTED ACTIVITIESMarch 4 – April 24
Course length: 7.5 Weeks
Contact Hours: 45 Hours
Credit Value: 3.0
MISSION STATEMENT OF M.A. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING PROGRAM
The mission of the Master of Arts in Community Counseling program at Argosy University in Chicago is to create a learning environment that promotes academic excellence, professional competence, and personal integrity. This mission is achieved through a curriculum that integrates counseling skills, theoretical foundations of counseling, and clinical field experience into appropriate interaction and intervention skills for utilization in a variety of settings with diverse client populations. We serve a diverse student body from urban, suburban, and rural areas who are intrinsically motivated to help others. The program actively engages faculty and students in the preparation of counselors who meet the needs of diverse communities.
The purpose of the Master of Arts in Community Counseling program is to deliver the core learning experiences established by academic program accreditation and the licensure board of the State of Illinois to assure that students completing the program are competent, ethical counselors prepared for post-graduate positions and professional counseling licensure.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The program outcomes, one to eight, of our Master of Arts in Community Counseling program are rooted in the CACREP standards. Program Outcomes 9 & 10 are Argosy University’s designed learning outcomes across programs.
Program Outcome One: Professional IdentityCompetency 1. Understand and value all aspects of professional functioning, including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, legalities, standards, and credentialing.
Program Outcome Two: Social and Cultural Diversity
Competency 1. Apply core theory and research regarding the cultural context of relationships, including current issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society, to the practice of professional counseling.
Program Outcome Three: Human Growth and Development
Competency 1. Apply core theory and research regarding the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels to their work as professional counselors.
Program Outcome Four: Career Development
Competency 1. Apply core theory and research pertaining to career development, the psychology of work, and related life factors to the practice of professional counseling.
Program Outcome Five: Helping Relationships
Competency 1. Exhibit the knowledge base and skills needed to ethically and effectively deliver a range of professional counseling and consultation services.
Program Outcome Six: Group Work
Competency 1. Understand the theoretical and experiential foundations of group purpose, development, and dynamics and will apply group counseling methods and skills to the practice of professional counseling.
Program Outcome Seven: Assessment
Competency 1. Understand principles of testing and measurement and will apply both individual and group methods of assessment and evaluation to their work as professional counselors.
Program Outcome Eight: Research and Program Evaluation
Competency 1. Understand how research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and program evaluation are conducted and the role of these practices in the counseling profession.
Program Outcome Nine: Communication Skills
Competency 1. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Program Outcome Ten: Interpersonal Effectiveness (IE)
Competency 1. Develop and improve positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity, and awareness of their impact on others.
COURSE DELIVERY FORMAT
This course has class meetings scheduled on weekends and is web-augmented with a weekly online component found at . This online component is meant to supplement the content delivered in the face-to-face meetings and provides weekly instructional contact with the instructor of this course. Students can expect weekly reading assignments and online discussion questions that offer opportunities to interact with fellow students and course faculty, as well as opportunities to engage with faculty and other students around activities meant to deepen and enhance the learning experience. In addition, the faculty may use the web-based learning environment to provide supplemental resources and reading material.
The course will be available onlineto students one week prior to the beginning of the term. For questions pertaining to the online format, please refer to the registration bulletin.
TECHNOLOGY:
Pentium III CPU/ Windows 98; 128MB RAM printer; Microsoft Office: Acrobat (full version); Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC), 5.0 (MAC), or Netscape Navigator 4.08; Norton Antivirus.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course aims to orient students to the field of counseling. It provides students with an overview and opportunities to discuss and learn about some major professional, legal, and ethical issues involved in the profession. Topics for discussion include, but are not limited to, the history of counseling, the American Counseling Association (ACA), credentialing, licensure, the ACA Ethics Code, ethical decision-making models, networking, continuous professional development, and various fields of specialization.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Each learning objective in this syllabus is tied to the program outcomes, and each program outcome corresponds to a specific CACREP standard, which is delineated by numeric representation, i.e. CACREP Section II.K.2.a as II.K.2a; or a specific Community Counseling Program standard as CC-A7.
As a result of this course, students will:
- Develop a positive professional identity; and an understanding of counselor’s roles, functions, and relationships with other human service providers (II.K.1b; CC-B1);
- Understand the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, including significant factors and events (II.K.1a; CC-A1 );
- Understand competency requirements, performance and accountability issues, ethical andlegal obligations as a member of the counseling profession (II.K.1b.; CC-A4, A3);
- Be familiar with professional resources, including national and regional professional associations, publications and journals, and other networks for counselors of different foci (II.K.1d; CC-A2, B4);
- Be familiar with the ethical guidelines implemented by the American Counseling Association, and use ethical principles and standards to guide professional decision and personal conduct (II.K.1h; CC-A4);
- be familiar with different branches of counseling practices and their corresponding functions, target client populations, service formats, and trends and development ( II.K.1 d; CC-B1);
- Understand issues related to professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, and the effects of public policy on these issues (II.K. 1e; CC-A4, A3);
- Able to use computer technology in search of information regarding professional issues, policy and legislation update, professional organization events, and other research and literature of client issues (II.K.1c);
- Understand public and private policy processes, and the role of the counselor in advocating the profession as well as advocating for their clients; (II.K.1f, 1g; CC-C6, C3); and
- Acquire a general framework for understanding and practicing consultation and related legal and ethical issues (II.K.5e.).
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Ramley, T, O. & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (3nd ed.). Prentice Hall, ISBN-10: 0137016719/ ISBN-13: 9780137016716
REQUIRED ONLINE RESOURCES/MATERIAL
American Counseling Association Website,
Illinois Counseling Association Website,
Illinois Mental Health Counselor Website,
Counselor and Legislation website,
COURSE FORMAT
Students will learn about the material of this course through a combination of lectures, class discussions, and activities (e.g., videos, experiential exercises, case studies, etc). Students are also encouraged to learn from each other through group presentations, and to develop their own resource bank through researching material in academic journals, professional websites and such.
CLASS POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Attendance
Students are expected to be punctual to all classes and practicum. Absences should occur only for such urgent reasons as ill health or critical emergency. Whenever possible, students should notify the faculty of these absences in advance. Excessive late arrivals or absences, regardless of the reason, may jeopardize a student’s academic standing.
Attendance in all blended (weekend) and evening face-to-face class meetings is required. A student who cumulatively misses three (3) hours of class will receive a reduction of the final grade unless the student successfully completes additional work with the instructor’s consent.
A student who misses six (6) or more hours of on-campus class will be required to withdraw from the course. Exceptions may be made in extreme situations and on a case by case basis in the event of severe illness, critical emergency or family crisis. Documentation of these events must be submitted to the instructor (i.e. a doctor’s note, etc.). Additional work will be assigned in lieu of mandatory withdrawal. In the event of a student withdrawing due to absence, a refund of tuition is dependent on the documented reasons for the absence and must be approved by the Campus President.
Online Participation
Students are expected to complete weekly reading and online assignments.Online components of the course begin as the term begins. Courses with class meetings spread through Term I and Term II are bridged courses, which will all start on the 4th week of the first term, and end in the middle of the 4th week in Term II. In other words, online participation will begin during the 4th week of the first term.
Timely online participation is a form of class attendance. Student financial aid may be affected by when a student last participates online.
Late Work
Will be assessed a reduction in grade (e.g. A to A-) for each day an assignment is late. Students should notify the instructor ASAP of any problems with completing their work on time.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS
In-class Participation (50 points)
Students will be assessed by their level of enthusiasm in taking part in class discussion, leading and reporting small group work, and other in-class activities and writing exercises (e.g. short reaction papers to various theories, critique of peer reviewed journals, etc.). Total = 50 points.
Online Activity and Participation(50 points)
(10 points for each week excluding the weeks of class meetings = 50 online postings/discussions).
Online participation of the class begins with the semester, the week of September 8. Ground rules for online participation and instructions for the first week activities and assignment will be posted online the week before.The format of these online assignments and activities vary. Basically students will be asked to respond to two small activities or two discussion questions per week, and respond to at least one posting of other students in class. Each Friday, new instructions of the online activities of the following week will be posted.As a general rule, week cycles begin on Mondays and end on Sundays; Postings are due on Fridays, mid-night, and provision of feedback to 2 classmates’ postings is due on Sundays, mid-night. For example, the Week 1 posting will be due on Friday, March 5, and the feedback due on Sunday, March 7.
Students’ online performance will be assessed according to the qualities of their responses to both the activities and to other students. Some of the characteristics of quality communication and feedback include: meaningful statements with context and content, constructive and respectful criticism or arguments, and clear expression of ideas.
- American Counseling Association/Illinois Counseling Association Website Visit Exercise
30 points
Instruction:
1. Go to the one of these websites: American Counseling Association website at or the Illinois Counseling Association website, at answer each of the following questions.
2. Please type your answers, prepare questions and after-thoughts for class discussion, and submit the assignment to the instructor after the first class meeting.
Questions:
- Where is the headquarter of your chosen organization and how can you contact them?
- What is your chosen organization’s mission?
- When was your chosen organization founded, and what were its previous names if any?
- What are some of the benefits for a member?
- What are the membership categories?
- What journals are published by your chosen organization?
- How many states have licensure for master’s-level practice?
- List five most favorite links from the website.
- Whatlist serves are available through your organization?
- Identify an ACA Division that interests you, go to its website, and learn as much as you can. Record some of your major findings.
- Identify a state where you might want to practice, go to its website, learn as much as you can, & record some of your discoveries.
- What are some of the scholarship opportunities you can find in your chosen organization?
- What are some of the volunteering/leadership opportunities you can find in your chosen organization? What are the benefit being a volunteer/a leader in that organization?
- Which part of the website did you find most interesting, or beneficial, to you?
C. Final Paper - Personal Reflection Paper (5 pages)70 points
Due in the dropbox by April 18th at midnight.
Write a 5-page paper to reflect on the influence of this course on the following:
1.Your identity as a professional counselor
2.Your views about the profession, in terms of ethical requirements, training,
and post master’s degree development
3.Your interest of line of work
4.Your five year professional goals and career plan, and
5.Any other thoughts that you want to share with the instructor
D. Group Presentation 100 points
Due during the second class meeting, April 16, 17, 18
Students, in groups of 2 , will conduct a presentation addressing the developmental trends, professional and ethical issues, qualifications needed, and career outlook if possible)in one of the following areas of counseling:
1. Family and couple counseling
2. School Counseling
3. Counseling children and vulnerable adults
4. Addiction and substance abuse counseling
5. Supervision and consultation
6. Private practice
7. Distance counseling
Presentation Requirements:
1. Each group will have an hour and 15 minutes, 1 hour for presentation and activities, and 15 minutes for questions and answers;
2. A 2-page handout summarizing the presentation should be distributed to the class (the handout can be in note form);
3. Presentations should be based on at least 3 professional journals plus three other resources; please also prepare a reference list for your classmates; and
4. Presenters are encouraged to be creative in their presentations so as to engage discussion and elicit participation from their fellow classmates.
Assessment
Your presentations will be graded according to:
1. The group’s ability to successfully identify and integrate relevant material for the topics that your are presenting;
2. Full and visible participation of all group members; and
3. The group’s overall ability to elicit meaningful class discussions
There will be some time set aside (the last hour of class) during the first weekend groups to meet in order to prepare for their presentations.
Grading:
Grade / Percentage PointsA / 100 – 93
A- / 92 – 90
B+ / 89 – 88
B / 87 – 83
B- / 82 – 80
C+ / 79 – 78
C / 77 - 73
C- / 72 – 70
D+ / 69 – 68
D / 67 – 63
D- / 62 – 60
F / 59 and below
***Incomplete and Incomplete in Progress:
Only due to extenuating circumstances, and only if at least 67% of the course requirements have been completed, can a student be given a grade of “I” or “IP” by the instructor’s discretion. A student who receives an “I” will need to complete the remaining course requirements within 10 days after the end of semester. A student in this situation can also be granted an “IP” (“Incomplete in Progress”) if the instructor perceives student’s difficulties in completing all the work within ten days after the semester ends. In this case, the student will need to fulfill all the course requirements by the end of the following semester. An “I” or “IP” will automatically change to an “F” grade if it is not made up by the required completion date.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week / Theme / Assignments3/4/10 – 3/07/10 /
- Introduction
3/8/10 – 3/14/10 /
- Introduction
- Professional identity
- Practice in a multicultural
- Competence and malpractice
- Boundary Issues
Online Activities
3/15/10 – 3/21/10 /
- Evaluation, testing, and diagnosis
- Technology and health care plans
Online Activities
3/22/10 – 3/28/10 / First Class Meeting Weekend
- society
- Client Welfare and informed consent
- Confidentiality and privileged communication
- Records, subpoenas, and technology
Readings:
Chapters. 1- 8
3/29/10 – 4/4/10 /
- Research and Publications\
Online Activities
4/5/10 – 4/11/10 /
- Resolving Legal and Ethical Issues
4/12/10 – 4/18/10 / Second Class Meeting Weekend
- Professional Relationships, Private Practice, and Health Care Plans
- Issues in Counselor Education
- Family and couple counseling
- Counseling children and vulnerable adults
- Addiction and substance abuse counseling
- Supervision
- consultation
- Private practice
- Distance counseling School Counseling
Group Presentation Due
4/19/10 – 4/24/10 / Personal Reflection Paper Due in the dropbox on 4/19/10 by midnight
UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND STATEMENTS
Library
All resources in Argosy University’s online collection are available through the Internet. The campus librarian will provide students with links, user IDs, and passwords.
Library Resources: Argosy University’s core online collection features nearly 21,000 full-text journals and 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. Many titles are directly accessible through the Online Public Access Catalog at Detailed descriptions of online resources are located at
In addition to online resources, Argosy University’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials searchable in the Online Public Access 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.