PSYC4724: Semester 2, 2025

Units PSYC4724 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

PSYC4724: Coaching Practice

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Students will consolidate the theory and skills acquired in PSYC4721 and PSYC4722 through a semester-long coaching practicum. Using real-life issues in a supportive and confidential environment, students will coach each other in a structured solution-focused personal coaching program based on the material taught in previous units of study. This unit gives students experience in being both a coach and a client. A key component of this course will be feedback from the lecturer on students' coaching styles, skills and other relevant issues. As such this unit provides students with the opportunity to embed and develop their coaching skills. Structured relections, video taped coaching sessions and case presentations will form part of the unit. A lecture series on advanced topics in coaching practice, including psychodynamics, personality, supervision and case conceptualisation form part of this unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PSYC4721 and PSYC4722
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Cavanagh, michael.cavanagh@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Presentation Presentation on a personality style and disorder in coaching.	15%	Multiple weeks	40 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Final Exam Multiple choice, multiple response, short answer, and essay questions.	20%	STUVAC Due date: 10 Nov 2025 at 16:00 Closing date: 10 Nov 2025	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Coaching Session Video Reflection on recorded coaching and in-class coaching.	25%	Week 07 Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Oct 2025	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Learning Journal & Attendance Weekly journals and ~1000-word reflection on coaching practice.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Dec 2025	~1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Hurdle assessments are compulsory. If you do not make a serious attempt at these assessments you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade for this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Personality Styles and Disorders	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Case Conceptualisation1	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Case Conceptualisation II	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Psychodynamic Issues in Coaching	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Supervision	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Narcissism 2. Paranoid	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Schizoid. 2. Dependant	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Borderline 2. Procrastination 3. Schizotypal	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Anti-social 2. Social Phobia 3. Histrionic	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Obsessive Compulsive PD 2. Generalised Anxiety 3. Passive Aggressive	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	1. Avoidant 2. Depressive	Lecture (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Standards Australia (2011), Handbook of Organisational Coaching, Sydney, Standards Australia

See Canvas for other related readings.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. develop understanding and competency in coaching practice and its microskills
LO2. develop understanding and competency in case conceptualisation
LO3. understand personality styles and disorders and appropriate coaching responses
LO4. to understand the theory and application of defence mechanisms, transference and counter-transference in coaching
LO5. To understand and explore the application of supervision theories in coaching
LO6. To develop reflective practice skill with respect to one's own coaching practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Increased supervision and practice time has been added in response to student feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links