Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis

Part 1: Overview
This introductory class will provide a historical overview of mental disorders and the development of classification systems. Students will consider the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of diagnosis and the difference between diagnosis and assessment.  This module is CE credit bearing module.  Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognize aspects of the history of diagnosis
• Demonstrate awareness of the limitations and controversies regarding classification systems
• Identify examples of racism, homophobia, sexism, or cultural ignorance in the medical model’s approach to the diagnosis of "difference"
• Identify risk factors relevant to assessing suicideIdentify questions generated from mental health screening instruments

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment.

Part 2: The Future of Diagnosis
This class will provide an overview of the changes in the DSM-5 classification, and consider some of the new diagnostic categories and debates around these changes. In addition, we will examine emerging research and perspectives that are likely to influence future revisions.  This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify some of the changes and the new diagnostic categories listed in the DSM-5
• Distinguish reasons for including V codes in a diagnosis
• Identify the consequences of exposure to stress and trauma from the neurobiological and epigenetic perspectives

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment.

This class examines two diagnostic categories: the anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Listed as anxiety disorders are phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder, a disorder that is common in young children but can also occur in adults.  This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the symptoms and diagnostic criteria for the anxiety disorders
• Recognize neurobiological aspects of anxiety and fear
• Identify aspects of models and medications used to treat anxiety
• Identify behaviors noted in obsessive compulsive disorder

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment. 

Part 1: Neurodevelopmental & Other Disorders of Childhood
This class examines the complexity in making a diagnosis of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Several neurodevelopmental disorders are explored.  This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Distinguish symptoms and diagnostic criteria used to describe neurodevelopmental disorders
• Identify arguments about the changes in the DSM-5 classification of the Autistic Disorders

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment. 

Part 2: Internalizing, Externalizing, & Disruptive Disorders
Children and teens experience a number of mental disorders that may be co-morbid, and extremely difficult to differentiate. Many of these disorders share symptoms of impulsivity, irritability and inappropriate behavior. While some of these disorders appear to be related to stressful situations, and family dynamics, others appear to be more closely linked to genetic factors. This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify symptoms and diagnostic criteria for disorders commonly found in childhood as categorized by the DSM-5
• Assignments for CompletionAll text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment.

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos, and 15 question learning assessment

This class considers two diagnostic categories: The depressive disorders, and bipolar disorder, a mental disorder that until recently was considered one of the of mood disorders.  This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognize the symptoms of a manic phase and hypomanic phase
• Identify reasons for lack of medication compliance
• Apply the criteria to diagnose different forms of depression
• Identify factors that may predispose an individual to depression

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment

This class provides information on the trauma disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, and adjustment disorders. Emphasis is given to factors that influence reactions to traumatic events: including the pre and post traumatic environments. This class also examines the dissociative disorders that are frequently found in the aftermath of trauma, and complex trauma. The concluding section examines resilience from a biopsychosocial perspective, with emphasis on neurobiology.  This module is CE credit bearing module. Completion results in two hours towards the 14-hour certificate. 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify symptoms for PTSD and stress-related disorders
• Distinguish between different kinds of trauma diagnosisIdentify peritrauma factors related to outcome
• Describe factors that can increase adaptation or help build resilience in response to stressful life events

Assignments for Completion
All text, readings, videos and 15 question learning assessment

1. Text: Lesson text introduces main lesson themes, provides summary information as well as key bullet-pointed information, and introduces other content, including readings and videos. Expectations: Students are expected to use information in the lesson text to answer learning assessment questions.  
2. Readings: When a reading icon or reading link appears in the lesson, students will complete the assigned reading at that point of the lesson, unless the reading is marked as 'optional.' The readings are accessible online, either through links to databases to which NYU has subscriptions or to downloaded PDFs.  
3. Video: Videos will either be embedded on the page or accessible through links to other web pages. When a video or video link appears in the lesson, students will watch the video at that time; it is placed in that part of the lesson in order to best support the ideas at that point in the lesson. Expectations: Students are expected to be able to use the video content to inform your responses to learning assessment questions.

Learning assessments in the form of true/false and multiple choice questions are located at the conclusion of each lesson. Students must complete all learning assessments in order to receive Continuing Education (CE) contact hours. Students must also answer at least 80% of the questions on each quiz correctly to receive the certificate of completion. Questions answered incorrectly will be identified. Students may take the assessment as many times as needed to pass. 

Students will complete an evaluation of the program their experiences upon completion of the above tasks.

• All required videos and readings for all lessons in this program have been completed
• All required tests and quizzes for all lessons in this program have been completed, with a passing grade. (NOTE: If you have not received a sufficient grade on any test or quiz, you have the ability to re-take it and must do so to complete the program.)
• The required program evaluation has been completed
• Your Bursar account balance for this program is paid in full

In order to obtain your certificate, you must complete the Certificate Request Form (found in the NYU Classes system). Receipt of the Post-Master's Certificate Program certificate takes approximately 3-4 weeks from the date of the request.  Receipt of CE certificate for social workers takes between 24 and 48 hours (not including weekend hours) from the date of the request. 

Requests are processed more quickly when all of the program requirements (above) have been met prior to submission of the request. Please make sure that you have met all of the requirements before submitting the form. All of the requirements will be checked by the Office of Global and Lifelong Learning staff as part of the request processing. Once your certificate has been processed, it will be mailed to the address you provided in the request form.

New York University Silver School of Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers {#SW-0012}.

NYU Silver School of Social Work, 1415 is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. NYU Silver School of Social Work maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 11/19/22 - 11/11/25. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.

New York University Silver School of Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors {#MHC-0083}.

For Mental Health Practitioners: Please check with your state, if you are not licensed in New York, to determine if these credits will be accepted for licensing renewal.

Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. This deposit is applied to the total cost of tuition. Full payment is due upon enrollment in the course. 

The $250.00 program deposit is non-refundable. Students that withdraw within 30 days of enrollment (i.e., the day of receipt of the welcome message via email) will be refunded 100% of their fees (minus the deposit). Students that withdraw within 60 days of enrollment will be refunded 70% of their fees (minus the deposit). Students who withdraw within 90 days of receiving their welcome message will be refunded 55% of their fees (minus the deposit). Students who withdraw after 90 days will receive no refund.

Send an email to silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu that include the following details. Withdrawal can take between one and two weeks to process and refunds of any fees paid can take an additional number of weeks. For the best estimate of when a refund will be made, contact the Bursar two weeks after the request has been submitted.

Details to include in email:

• Your name
• Date of enrollment (i.e., date of welcome message)
• Reason for withdrawing