ODL 262: An Overview of Ethical Leadership:  An Exploration of Leadership Principles and Ethics for Helping Professionals

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Ethics CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors – 1 Ethics Hour or 1 Contact Hour*
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Ethics Hour

Created on 07/18/2023 Revised on 4/23/2025

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

8. Legal, Ethical and Professional Development

Overview:

According to recent research, Ethical Leadership is “leadership demonstrating and promoting normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships.”  This definition embodies the ethical codes of helping professionals.  In this dynamic training we will explore the traits and best practices of ethical leaders, servant leaders and practical ways to implement these in your daily jobs and lives. As we strive for excellence in our professions, this training will allow you to explore best practices in ethical leadership with the goal of ultimately improving outcomes for our clients.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

• Discover three ethical principles and traits that can assist as you may move into a leadership role 
• Identify three standards from servant leadership as they apply to ethical leadership
• Examine the five qualities necessary and ethical perspectives to cultivate leadership skills

Presenter:

Jean Ferguson Ruffin, J.D., Ed.D, Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership, Research, and School Improvement at the University of West Georgia

Dr. Jean Ferguson Ruffin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership, Research, and School Improvement at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. She teaches graduate courses in educational leadership, specializing in school law and ethics, educational equity, and culturally proficient leadership. Her research agenda is primarily focused on culturally proficient leadership. Prior to her work in higher education, she worked in K12 education as a consultant, an associate superintendent of schools, and a school improvement specialist.