ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN THE TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS IN THE SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL SPHERE

Abstract

Introduction. In the current context of higher education reform, the issue of academic integrity and professional ethics is gaining particular importance as a fundamental basis for the training of specialists in the socio-psychological sphere. Their significance is determined not only by the need to ensure the quality of the educational process, but also by the necessity of forming a responsible specialist capable of acting in accordance with moral norms, professional standards, and the principles of humanistic interaction. For future psychologists, social workers, counselors, and educators, adherence to academic integrity is a prerequisite for the development of critical thinking, independence, scientific accuracy, and a responsible attitude toward the results of their own activities. At the same time, professional ethics determines the boundaries and modes of interaction with people, ensures trust, confidentiality, tolerance, respect for human dignity, and the prevention of professional misconduct. Therefore, understanding the interrelation between academic integrity and professional ethics is an important area for improving the professional training of future specialists. Purpose and objectives of the study. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical substantiation of the role of academic integrity and professional ethics in the process of training specialists in the socio-psychological sphere. To achieve this purpose, it is necessary to reveal the essence of the concepts of “academic integrity” and “professional ethics,” determine their place in the structure of the future specialist’s professional competence, characterize the main risks of violating ethical and integrity standards in educational and future professional activities, and outline the pedagogical conditions for the formation of an appropriate culture within the higher education system. Results. The study has established that academic integrity and professional ethics are interrelated components of the professional development of future specialists in the socio-psychological sphere. It has been proved that systematic adherence to the principles of honesty, responsibility, respect for authorship, and the reliability of the results of educational and scientific activity creates the foundation for the formation of an ethically mature professional personality. It has been found that violations of academic integrity in the educational process may transform into professional deformations, including irresponsible attitudes toward clients, distortion of diagnostic results, disregard for confidentiality, and neglect of professional standards. It has been substantiated that the effective formation of the relevant values requires the integration of ethical issues into the content of professional disciplines, the use of practiceoriented tasks, the analysis of professional situations, and the development of reflection and personal responsibility among students. It has been generalized that the establishment of academic integrity and professional ethics in the educational environment is an important condition for training competent, morally responsible, and socially mature specialists capable of effective professional activity in the context of contemporary social challenges.