Ethics and Boundaries for Social Workers

This convenient online course can be taken from anywhere. You can participate in our online classes from home, from your office, even when you travel. A PC or laptop, modem and browser bring the virtual classroom to you, when and where you want to participate. We invite you to join the mailing list for online courses. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: join-pdas-online@lists.wisc.edu.

Dates: November 14-December 19, 2012, January 9-February 6, 2013

Learn how to deal with ethical dilemmas and how to make decisions that protect clients' rights and minimize risks to clinicians. Examine the boundaries in client-clinician relationships and discuss the importance of professional values and ethics. Explore models used for ethical decision-making. Special consideration is given to ethics in administration and supervision.

This online course provides an understanding of:

The importance of professional values and ethics in human service practice
Models of ethical decision-making
The importance of professional boundaries
Personal boundaries and risks relating to internet and electronic media
Ethics useful for human service administration and supervision

Please note: This course qualifies for 16 hours of professional continuing education for social workers and meets the requirements for ethics and boundaries. How to register.

Course structure:

Content is scheduled as weekly modules.
Background readings, cases and exercises are provided.
You access the course Web site at your convenience.
Learners engage in a weekly asynchronous discussion forum.
Approximately four hours per week is needed to successfully participate.

Your instructor:

Aphra S. Mednick, LCSW (MSW, Smith College) has clinical and supervisory experience in a variety of settings including community mental health, domestic violence and an interdisciplinary patient advocacy program. Currently she is an Outreach Specialist in the Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies at UW-Madison.

Course access:

To ensure privacy online you receive an e-mail with Web site access information and a password. An orientation is available online.

Computer requirements

Computer requirements to use Learn@UW online courses are as follows:

An Internet connection
A Web browser such as Internet Explorer 5.0 higher; Netscape 6 or higher; Mozilla; or Safari. Netscape 7.0 is recommended for Mac users.
Email account (address). You must have an email address to take the course; please include it with your registration.

More information on current requirements.

What students have said about their online learning experience:

“I really enjoyed this course. I think I got much more out of this than I would have if I had sat in a traditional one-day ethics workshop…The readings and discussions were interesting and challenging. I am thinking about my decision making…in a new way, and I’m thankful for that. Thanks for a great experience.” —S.P., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Eau Claire, WI

"It’s great to explore (these) topics with adult learners (who) can provide me with practical everyday experiences that have worked in their jobs."—(Vicki, RN, Madison, WI)

"I really enjoy this type of learning."—(Tracy, MSW, Honolulu, HI)

"I feel very supported by my fellow students in solving difficult workplace issues."—(Kelly, RN, DeForest, WI)

"[Some advantages of being online are] ease of operation, availability of the medium; it requires putting expression into a more highly verbal flow, doesn’t let anyone hide."—(Leslie, MS, Chicago, IL)

We invite you to join the mailing list for online courses for in human services.

General information:

Registration: Registrations are confirmed in writing. If you do not receive written confirmation of your registration prior to the workshop, please call 608-262-2451.

Fee: $250, includes the course text, Social Work Values and Ethics, by Frederic G. Reamer, New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.

Credits:

Social Workers: The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development and Applied Studies, (PDAS), (provider number #1042) is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), (800-225-6880) through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. PDAS maintains responsibility for the program.
WI, IA, MI and MN Boards of Social Work recognize ACE programs.
IL Registered Social Worker Continuing Education Sponsor #159.000243.
Counselors: PDAS is recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education for National Certified Counselors. PDAS adheres to NBCC continuing education guidelines (Provider #5990).
WI Psychologists, and Marriage and Family Therapists: Qualifies as an accredited university continuing education course relevant to professional practice.
WI Substance Abuse Counselors: Qualifies as a continuing education course consisting of relevant subject matter taught by qualified presenters.
Educators: This program may qualify towards your Professional Development Plans (PDPs).
Other professions: Completion of each program qualifies for continuing education hours. Contact your own board or organization for specific continuing education requirements.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is also an approved provider by the Wisconsin Psychological Examining Board to offer continuing education credits for psychologists.

Please note: This is a continuing education course for professionals. It fulfills ongoing certification requirements for continuing education credits/hours, however it does not carry University of Wisconsin undergraduate or graduate credit.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

For more information: If you have any questions, contact Aphra Mednick at 608-265-8041 or amednick@dcs.wisc.edu . We also invite you to join the mailing list for online courses for in human services. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: join-pdas-online@lists.wisc.edu.

Registration options:

By phone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration will be available soon.