SFW0065 - Professionalism & Strengths-based Practice

Course Description

Professionalism in human services goes beyond skills—it encompasses values, behaviors, and ethical decision-making that define a trustworthy and effective worker. Ethical dilemmas are inevitable in this field, and making the right choices requires a thoughtful, systematic approach.

This course provides a practical guide to professional ethics, helping you navigate the complexities of human services work with confidence. You'll explore:

✔️ The ethical standards that guide human services professionals.

✔️ How to handle common ethical challenges like confidentiality, informed consent, and self-disclosure.

✔️ A structured approach to ethical decision-making, ensuring integrity in your practice.

In addition to ethical considerations, this course emphasizes professional growth and lifelong learning. You’ll have opportunities for self-assessment, explore adult learning principles, and develop a personalized professional development plan to enhance your career.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to make ethical decisions, uphold professional standards, and continue growing in your field.

This course is offered in March and September.

Enrollment opens at least one month prior to its start date. 

Course Outline

Learner Outcomes

After completing this module, participants will be able to:

• Apply Principles of professionalism and ethics in practice
• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of an ethical human service professional to include standards of practice and codes of conduct in communicating and interacting with clients, families, and other professionals.
• Demonstrate a sound grasp of the major ethical dilemmas in practice, the principles governing sound ethical decision-making, and an approach toward solving them.
• Develop reflective and critical thinking skills.
• Define lifelong learning.
• Describe how adult learning principles can be helpful to strengths-based practice.

• Self-identify and assess professional behaviors and develop a plan for further competence.

Notes

All courses begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the month. All course work must be completed prior to the last day of the month. Any unfinished assignments receives a zero that will cause the grade to drop. An 80% is required to pass this course. 

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellation requests must be received within 72 hours (3 business days) from the date of enrollment in the course AND the registered person has not accessed any portion of the online course. Cancellations that meet the criterial listed above will be eligible for a full refund of fees paid.

All cancellation requests must be in writing via email to sfwtuh@temple.edu and received by the Temple University Harrisburg staff before becoming effective.

**Please note: If a cancellation request is not made and the registrant does not attend the course as originally scheduled, the registrant is still responsible for payment for the scheduled course.

Recommendations

Basic Computer Proficiency

• Using a keyboard and mouse
• Selecting, copying, pasting text
• Sending and receiving email
• Saving and retrieving files in different formats (.docx, .pdf, .pptx., etc.)
• Using a text editor (changing fonts, inserting links, using spell check, etc.)
• Browsing for files to attach and upload
• Accessing the Internet using a web browser and resetting basic web browser settings (clearing cache/history, cookies, etc.)
• Audio equipment (i.e., computer speakers)
• Software - Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader

To successfully complete the training and activities, the materials needed/recommended are:

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Professionalism and Strengths-based Practice : Certificate
• SFW Credential : Certificate