Ethics

All faculty and graduate students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards summarized in Principles for Professional Ethics (National Association of School Psychologists).

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the ethical principles and professional standards applicable to the practice of school psychology, including those governing professional competence, confidentiality, informed consent, respect for the rights and dignity of others, and responsible professional conduct.

Students whose research or scholarly activities involve human participants are expected to follow all applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements for the protection of research participants, including the policies and procedures established by Miami University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Students are responsible for completing any required research ethics training and obtaining appropriate approval before beginning research involving human participants.

Violations of professional or ethical standards may constitute grounds for remediation, disciplinary action, or dismissal from the School Psychology Graduate Program, consistent with Miami University policies and program procedures.

We expect that interactions among students, faculty, and staff will be collegial and ethical and will reflect the NASP Professional Standards and Principles for Professional Ethics. In the context of student-faculty and student-supervisor relationships, particular emphasis is placed on the following NASP ethical principles:

• Respecting the dignity and rights of all persons: School psychologists recognize and respect the dignity, worth, and rights of all individuals and make reasonable efforts to protect the welfare and well-being of those with whom they work. This principle applies to interactions among faculty, supervisors, students, and other members of the university and professional community.
• Professional competence and responsibility: School psychologists recognize the limits of their professional competence and engage in professional activities responsibly. Faculty and supervisors are expected to provide appropriate training, supervision, and guidance, while students are expected to seek consultation and assistance when needed and to practice within the limits of their developing competence.
• Professional relationships and boundaries: School psychologists maintain professional relationships that are characterized by respect, appropriate boundaries, and avoidance of exploitation or misuse of professional authority. Faculty and supervisors recognize the power inherent in their roles and should make reasonable efforts to ensure that interactions with students are respectful, professional, and free from personally demeaning, discriminatory, harassing, or exploitative conduct.
• Fair and responsible evaluation: Students should be evaluated based on their demonstrated academic, clinical, and professional performance in relation to established program requirements and competencies. Faculty and supervisors are expected to provide students with appropriate, timely, and constructive feedback regarding their performance and progress.
• Ethical decision-making: Students and faculty are expected to identify and address ethical concerns in a timely and professional manner and to seek appropriate consultation when ethical principles or professional responsibilities conflict.

These expectations are consistent with NASP's broader ethical framework, which emphasizes responsible professional conduct, protection of the rights and welfare of others, and ethical decision-making in school psychology practice.

If a student believes that an ethical or professional violation has occurred in an interaction with a faculty member, supervisor, staff member, or another student, the student may seek guidance from their faculty advisor, the School Psychology Program Coordinator, another faculty member with whom the student feels comfortable, or an appropriate Miami University administrator.