Ethical and Professional Issues
Overview
This unit prepares students for provisional psychologist registration. Students receive instruction in psychologists' professional obligations to adhere to the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines across a diverse range of workplace settings. Using an established ethical decision making model, students apply in-depth knowledge of the APS Code and Guidelines to a variety of psychological practice dilemmas. Students also gain an understanding of the primary roles the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Psychology Board of Australia play in regulating the psychology profession.
Requisites
Rule
Enrolment in GD-PSYADS Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
07-June-2026
07-February-2027
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply the APS Code of Ethics and APS Ethical Guidelines to issues in professional psychological practice
- Explain and apply the Koocher and Keith-Spiegel Ethical Decision Making Model
- Make ethical and professional decisions for complex cases and ethical dilemmas relevant to psychological practice
- Communicate and defend psychological decision-making in the context of professional and ethical responsibilities when engaged with clients in psychological practice
- Demonstrate consideration of the client’s cultural background and values are considered when engaging in professional and ethical decision making
Teaching methods
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 4 weeks | 4 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.17 | 12 weeks | 146 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Analysis | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Examination | Individual | 60% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Registration requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Ethical and professional issues such as competence, confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, professional conduct and multicultural issues including those pertaining to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Issues related to contemporary practice includeing client diversity (e.g., culture, gender, age) and interprofessional work
- Ethical report writing and record keeping
- Ethical decision making model
- Issues surrounding psychology and the law, including the psychologist’s role in court
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.