GRF 700 - Ethics in Counseling

Ethics in Counseling

Masters Degree in Grief Counseling & Thanatology

GRF 700

Breyer State University
Instructor: Juan Kenigstein, PH.D, M.ED., GC-C

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Ethics in Counseling, a Master Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Master in Grief Counseling. I'm pleased to offer you this course. This is an exciting course. Ethics are designed to provide some guidelines for the professional behavior of members of a particular organization. A professional code of ethics is a set of standards of conduct based upon an agreed set of values by which professionals in a given occupation voluntarily abide. Values are our fundamental principles, they define what we think is right, good, fair, and just. Ethics are behaviors and tell people how to act in ways that meet the standards our values are set for us.

TIME FRAME: This is a five-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your text book(s) have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded five semester hours of credit. You may accelerate, but may not complete this course in less than four weeks.

TEXTBOOK: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Standards, Research, and Emerging Issues, 3rd Edition, Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2002: ISBN: 0-534-62833-8.

» Click Here to Enter

» Additional Student Resources at StudyTactics

EXAMINATIONS: There are no examinations for this course; grades are based on completion of assignments and activities.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

GRADING COMPOSITION:

15 Activities:                               60%
Self evaluation:                           10%
Research Report:                        20%
Discovery & Intention Statement: 10%

TOTAL:                                      100%

GOALS: The aim of education about Ethics is to have a code of conduct intended to be a central guide and reference for users in support of day-to-day decision making. It is meant to clarify an organization's mission, values, principles, linking them with standards of professional conduct.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. Upon registration, you will receive my email address. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

REQUIREMENTS:

1). You will submit a research report on one area of Ethics in Counseling. Reports are to include characteristics of population selected, specific methods and techniques that have been proven to be effective, an abstract, referral agencies, sources of additional information, and a comprehensive bibliography of information available on the topic. All topics must be approved by the me.
2). You will submit a self-evaluation report. Professional and personal growth using criteria provided in class and citing evidence from your work through the semester.
3). You are responsible for reading and becoming familiar with all materials included in the textbook, and assigned outside readings.
4). You will submit a Discovery and Intention statement. Discovery statements are a declaration of what you want, a description of your attitudes, statement of your feelings, transcripts of your thoughts, and chronicles of your behavior. Intention statements can be used to alter your life, statements of your commitment to do a specific task, or to take a certain action. An intention arises out of your choice to direct your energy toward a particular goal.
5). You will work on 15 Activities.

DISCOVERY AND INTENTION STATEMENT: Discovery statements are a declaration of what you want, a description of your attitudes, statement of your feelings, transcripts of your thoughts, and chronicles of your behavior. Intention statements can be used to alter your life, statements of your commitment to do a specific task, or to take a certain action. An intention arises out of your choice to direct your energy toward a particular goal.

INSTRUCTIONAL MODIFICATIONS: Students with disabilities, who need reasonable modifications to complete assignments successfully and otherwise satisfy course criteria, are encouraged to talk with me early in the semester to identify and plan specific accommodations. You may be asked to provide documentation on your disability, which will assist in planning modifications. Breyer State University offers Disability Services through the Counseling Center . To request services, contact the Counseling Center or talk to me

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: Unauthorized photocopying of copyrighted works, including musical works, may be unlawful and may infringe the copyright of the copyright owner. If you are in possession of unauthorized duplications of copyrighted material are subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as those civil remedies and criminal penalties provided by federal law.

SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER: While the provisions of this syllabus are as accurate and complete as possible, I reserve the right to change any provision herein, not covered by BSU or BSU Regent Rules, with notice if circumstances so warrant. Every effort will be made to keep you advised of such changes and information about such changes will be available at all times from me. It is the responsibility of yours to know what changes, if any, have been made to the provisions of this syllabus and to successfully complete the requirements of this course. Questions regarding information on the syllabus and course requirements need to be addressed by you when the syllabus is received.

METHODS: Readings from textbook, professional books and journals Self-awareness/exploration activities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

1). Identify and define ethics.
2). Understand professional ethical standards.
3). Use resources to enhance individual judgment.
4). Build a foundation for doing good and avoiding harm.
5). Understand the aspect of confidentiality.
6). Understand the clients freedom of choice.
7). Understand clients rights.
8). Understand unique ethical challenges.
9). Understand ethics in special setting.
10). Understand unethical responses to unethical behavior.
11). Review your own code of ethics (Counseling, Psychology, Management, Nursing, etc.).
12). Define morality and law.
13). Make ethical decisions.
14). Understand the reasons for ethical codes.
15). Understand unethical behavior.
16). Understand the limitations of ethical codes.
17). Understand the conflicts within ethical codes.
18). Understand the guidelines for acting ethically.

COURSE OUTLINE:

1). Introduction to Professional Ethics: A Psychology and Philosophy for Ethical Standards.
2). A Model of Ethical Decision Making: Using Resources to Enhance Individual Judgment.
3). Competence to Practice: Building a Foundation for Doing Good and Avoiding Harm.
4). Confidentiality: Supporting the Client's Right to Privacy.
5). Informed Consent: Affirming the Client's Freedom of Choice.
6). Sexual Misconduct: Violations of Power and Trust.
7). Non-sexual Boundary Violations: Risking Objectivity and Client Welfare.
8). Group and Family Counseling: Unique Ethical Challenges.
9). The Ethics of Diagnosis and Testing: Using Fair Procedures in Responsible Ways.
10). Ethical Counseling in a Multicultural Society: The Promise of Justice.
11). The Ethics in Community and Consulting Settings: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest.
12). School Counseling: Applying Professional Standards to the Educational Culture.
13). The Ethics of Supervision: Modeling Responsible Behavior.
14). Ethical Teaching and Research: Respecting Goals of Science and the Rights of Students and Participants.
15). Responsibilities for Self and Colleagues: Reporting, Recovery and Rehabilitation.