Behavior Disorders of Childhood to be Topic of New Online Course Offered by UB School of Social Work

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo will offer its first online graduate-level course, Behavior Disorders of Childhood (SW 992), beginning with the Spring 2003 semester.

The three-credit course is designed for non-matriculated students who are child-welfare workers, other human-service professionals and students interested in learning about childhood behavior disorders. It is co-sponsored by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The course will be presented entirely online utilizing digitized lectures and film clips, online discussion, chat rooms, online exercises, course readings and other assignments.

It will be taught by Denise Krause, M.S.W., UB clinical assistant professor of social work. Krause, whose research focuses on distance education and technology-based learning tools, is the recipient of the 2002 Faculty of the Year Award presented by the UB School of Social Work Student Association.

The course will provide a general introduction to the behavior problems of childhood, with particular emphasis placed on differentiation among the many associated labels, including behavioral disturbances, behavior problems, mental illness, developmental disorder, maladaptive behavior and dysfunctional behavior.

Students will review the classification and etiology of major mental-health disorders within the context of normal and abnormal mental and emotional development in children. They will examine children's behavior disorders in the contexts of family, peer group, school and community.

In addition, students will learn the highlights of ethical considerations associated with children's behavior disorders, as well as the impact of culture on children and their families, and address strategies used to treat children and their families.

Participants are required to have access to specific computing resources in order to complete the course requirements, and should go to http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/online/sw992 to ensure their computer meets the technical requirements, and for further information about the course. Registration is limited to 100 students.

In-state tuition is $213 per credit hour, plus fees and book costs. Students participating through OCFS may be eligible for funding through the New York State Social Work Education Consortium.

For more information, contact the School of Social Work Continuing Education Program at 716-645-6140 or email sw-ce@buffalo.edu.