His academic background includes a Bachelor of Social Work from Lewis-Clark State College, a Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Idaho. Dr. Christenson has direct social work practice experience in the disability field, education, and the child welfare field including child protective services, adoption, foster care, evaluation, and foster/adoptive parent training. His areas of special interests, expertise and instruction include Aging, Child Welfare Practice, Education, Leadership and Supervision, Macro Practice, Research and Evaluation, Political Science, Social Welfare History, Social Work Practice, Social Work Advocacy for Social Justice, and Social Policy.