An analysis of beginning counselor education master's degree candidate's ability to make ethical decisions based on the American Counseling Association's ethical standards after having completed a course in professional ethics

There are many arguments on the best methods to instruct the professional counseling candidate on the ethical implications they are most likely to encounter. This study examined a professional counselor candidate's ability to apply the information in a course in professional and ethical practices and their ability to make ethical decisions based on the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics. A sample of professional counselor candidates took the Measure of Ethical Decision Making achievement test Form A on their first day of class and Form B on their last day. Professional counselor candidates in this study showed significant improvements from pre-test (Form A) to post-test (Form B) scores.