NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES Course Outline Course # and Title: PYCL 570 Ethical, Legal & Professional Issues for School Counselors Credit Hours: 3 Site/Section: Miami/M3G Dates: November 19, 20, 21, 2010 December 10, 11, 12, 2010 Class Meeting Times: Friday 6:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday 8:30 – 6:00 PM Sunday 8:30 – 5:30 PM Instructor: Tamara White MS.Ed, Ed.D, NCC [email protected] 877.351.3515 Required Text: Huey, W.C. & Remly, T. (2003). Ethical and legal issues in school counseling. Washington, DC: American School Counselor Association Other Required Resources: Please download the following and bring to class on the first Saturday: American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (www.counseling.org) Ethical Standards for School Counselors, American School Counselor Association (www.schoolcounselor.org) Baker Act (http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/mentalhealth/laws/histba.pdf) Course Description: This course covers standards for professional conduct in school counseling. It considers ethical and legal decisions that the school counselor must make. Case examples, current federal and state laws/statutes, ethical codes and standards on assessment, diagnosis, and placement data willbe discussed in relation to counseling a variety of culturally diverse populations in multiple settings. Standards: In this course students will learn about professional ethics, professional standards of competence, and the role and responsibilities of the counselor in the context of the school and community. Standards are aligned to National Standards for School Counseling Programs of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Counselors must possess appropriate training and credentials in the profession, be knowledgeable of national and state policy and legislation and appropriate ethical standards and practices. Their participation in developing programs and practicing guidance and counseling insures that students can develop knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to their effective learning through the life span (1.1), can complete school academically prepared to choose from a wide range of postsecondary options (1.2), can explain career goals (2.1), understand the relationship between personal characteristics, school and work (2.2), can acquire attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to understand and respect others (3.1), make decisions, set goals and take appropriate action to achieve goals (3.2) and apply life skills that contribute to a safe and healthy environment (3.3). The course also promotes the INTASC principles so that counselors understand how they assist in the learning process for students, develop and provide learning activities that support their intellectual, social and personal development (2), how students differ in their approaches to learning (3) and how counselors use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development (4), encourage active inquiry, collaborative and supportive interaction (6), use formal and informal assessment strategies and foster relationships with colleagues, parents, agencies and the larger community (10). Counselors must understand the uses of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate development and be a reflective practitioner (9) that fosters relationships with parents and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well being (10). Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Gain knowledge of ethical standards of professional organizations, credentialing bodies, and public policy on the applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling. (CACREP II G.1.g,f,ju; III CMHC A.2, B.2, C.0; SC A.2,4,5) (FLDOE 6.2) 2. Demonstrate familiarity with federal and state legislation and local regulations, particularly in regards to confidentiality, student records, and the use of technology in handling such records. (FLDOE 6.3; 9.1; 9.2) 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal rights of students and parents and the role of the school counselor in IEP, school leadership, curriculum and advisory meetings. (CACREP III SC 0.5) (FLDOE 6.1; 6.3; 6.4) 4. Demonstrate knowledge of key professional and legal issues in counseling such as confidentiality, duty to warn and protect, assessment of diverse students, differences in student value systems and lifestyles, HIPAA, FERPA, etc. (CACRET III SC B.1) (FLDOE 2.5)5. Reflect on knowledge of one’s own attitudes and beliefs as they influence professional and ethical behaviors and also address personal issues that may affect the counseling relationship. (CACREPIII, CMHC D.1; SC D.5) 6. Know the role and process of the professional counselor advocating on behalf of the profession; and advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients. (CACREP II G.1.h, i) 7. Knowledge of implementation of professional issues that are unique to the counseling profession including reimbursement, right to practice, core provider status, managed care systems, expert witness status and Baker Act privileges. (CACREP II, G.1.g; CMHC A.7) Assessment of Objectives: All course objectives (1-7) are assessed by the midterm exam, the final paper and presentation and professional participation in classroom activities. Part I - Friday, November 19 – Sunday, November 21 Read Chapters 1-9 in textbook prior to class. Review ethical standards of ASCA, ACA and Baker Act. Topics to be covered:  Ethical Decision Making and Legal Issues  Students at Risk for Suicide  Students at Risk for Violence  Confidentiality and Privileged Communication  Records  Substance Abuse  Parental Rights  Court Appearances  Appellate Court Decisions Part II – Friday, December 10 – Sunday, December 12 Read Chapters 10-13 in textbook Topics to be covered:  Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students  Sexual Harassment  Special Education  Supervision  Managing Boundaries  National and State Legislation  FERPA  Professional Competence and Training  Issues in Consultation  Issues in Theory, Practice and Research  Ethics in Testing  Ethical Issues in Group Work and Community Work  Case StudiesDescription of Written Assignment: Choose an approved topic regarding a