Wednesday, September 26, 2012

WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNCW's School of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services is launching a new online continuing education program, Social Work: Private Practice Development, Business, and the Law.

To register, visit www.uncw.edu/profed and click on Online Professional Development - Social Work or call 910-962-3195. The registration deadline is Oct. 1 and the class begins Oct. 8, 2012.

Designed and taught by UNCW Associate Professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Chris Hall Ph.D., the course covers various aspects of opening and operating a private practice. Offered in the UNCW School of Social Work graduate training program for the past five years, the course has consistently been one of the most popular electives offered.

Social work business and the law is a vital part of social work training. Pertinent information regarding the legal requirements for practicing social work in the State of North Carolina is covered, including the procurement of an involuntary commitment, licensing and documentation requirement, what constitutes malpractice, liability insurance, how to testify in court, how to write clinical notes, and how to write court reports. The business component of the course will cover issues such as the structure and development of business entities, tax liability, basic accounting practices, software and billing information, insurance reimbursement, and general business procedure.

This online continuing education course will last six-weeks and is presented on the Blackboard platform, allowing user-friendly access to all course materials. The course is designed to be interactive, practical and time-flexible so that it is compatible with the schedule of any professional.

This course has been submitted for approval for professional certification by the National Association of Social Workers, North Carolina Chapter.

Media contact: Allison Rankin, UNCW Professional Development, rankina@uncw.edu, 910-962-7194.

Andrea Weaver, Office of University Relations, weavera@uncw.edu, 910-962-7631.