Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
19:912:507:AB - Fall 2026
Rutgers School of Social Work
19:912:507:AB - Fall 2026
Rutgers School of Social Work
My name is Christine Chapais, and I am your online professor for Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis. Please take a couple of minutes to view my welcome video and learn a little about me. After that, take a look around this site to feel better prepared for the start of our course.
-Christine
Pronouns: she/her
Feel free to call me Christine, Dr. Chapais, or Dr. C.
This is a fully online, 15-week course.
The course begins Tuesday, September 1, 2026 and ends Friday, December 18, 2026.
We have no regularly scheduled meeting times (we will not meet via Zoom). All of your work will be completed asynchronously (on your own time but submitted by their due dates) on Canvas.
The module week begins on Tuesday (Day 1) and ends on Monday (Day 7).
You will need the following textbooks for this course:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association [This book can be accessed via the Rutgers University Library.]
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). DSM-5-TR fact sheets. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/dsm-5-tr-fact-sheets
Please keep in mind that since the DSM-5-TR was conceived as a dynamic text use of the online version of the text allows access to the updated data on clinical disorders.
Pomeroy, E. (2015). The clinical assessment workbook: Balancing strengths and differential diagnosis (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning.
All other required readings will be included in the reading list tab of your Canvas course and provided free of charge through the Rutgers Library.
This is not a self-paced course. You will interact with your peers throughout each of our weekly modules.
I typically grade your work on Thursdays. Be sure to read my feedback thoroughly and apply any suggestions to your work on future assignments. Important reminders will be posted as announcements and feedback that applies to the whole group will be posted as a reply to the discussion threads publicly.
Download the Canvas app on your phone to have the most up to date information and notifications.
Check your Rutgers e-mail on a regular basis.
Set a reminder for yourself to reply to a classmate (Canvas only reminds you of the initial post due date).
I prefer to be contacted via email instead of Canvas inbox.
Want to talk via Zoom? Schedule time with me here.
You can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours during weekdays and 48 hours during weekends and holidays.
Go to the course essentials module in our Canvas course and find the "Virtual Office" page. Post a comment with your question. All students are encouraged to answer a question they know the answer to. I am also subscribed to this thread to help out as needed.
Feel free to ask questions that relate to a post directly under that announcement as a comment. This way, other students who may have the same question, can also see the answer.
I will provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.
I will provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
I will be actively present in your learning.
I will provide a supportive environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.
I will reach out to you when I sense that you need support.
I will treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.
I won't be perfect. I am human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list?
You strive to be an active participant in this course and strive to meet due dates.
You will maintain an open line of communication with me so I understand how to support you.
You will contact me if you have a concern with meeting a due date.
You will strive to regularly contribute to collaborative activities to ensure other members of the community have ample opportunity to read/listen, reflect, and respond to your ideas.
You will treat your peers with dignity and respect.
You will do your best to have patience with technology. There will be hiccups, expect them. We will get through them together.
You will give yourself grace. Expect to make mistakes. You are human and you may have times of stress.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list?
You will need your NetID and password to log into Canvas.
Contact OIT via phone (833-648-4357) or e-mail (help@oit.rutgers.edu).