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Dec 17, 2024
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2014-2015 Graduate & Professional [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Gerontology (GRN) Certificate
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Overview
Contact: Dr. Diane J. Martin
Teaching/research interests: aging in place, ageism, intergenerational relationships, psychology of aging and successful aging.
The Graduate Gerontology Certificate Program offered through the Center for the Study of Aging allows students to examine aging from a bio-psycho-social perspective. The program follows a professional orientation, focused on career-oriented knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The target audience is existing professionals in the senior service sector; professionals and others considering a career with elders; and individuals whose work or personal responsibilities include contact or working with aging adults.
This certificate program requires completion of 18 graduate credit hours in Gerontology.
Key features of the program include:
Gain knowledge about aging and improve skills to maximize career opportunities in current employment arena or to enter the rapidly growing field of providing care and service to older adults.
- Program can be completed in a face-to-face, online, or hybrid format- combining both methods.
- Requires completion of six courses, allowing full-time students to complete the program in just one year.
- Credits earned in this program can be transferred to the M.S. in Gerontology program.
- Ability to tailor the program to fit your interests or career goals through choice of electives.
- CEUs available for social workers, psychologists, and counselors in MD and PA.
Admissions Requirements
Candidates required to submit:
- application for graduate study with non-refundable fee
- official transcript conferring bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.00 GPA) from an accredited institution
Core Courses (12 credits)
Choose one specialization (6 credits)
Aging Services
As the older adult population more than doubles over the next decade, there is a growing workforce need for leaders educated in aging issues to serve in management positions in private, public and not for profit organizations that provide services to older adults. Become an informed leader in the aging service industry as you examine aging theory, policy, research, and organizations that impact delivery of health and social services to an aging population. Gero-Psychology
Similar to the rates of mental illness in the general population, approximately 20 percent of older adults suffer from a mental disorder. The most prevalent in later life are anxiety, cognitive impairment, depression, and addiction. Additionally, older adults have the highest suicide rates in the country. Unfortunately, only about 3% of all practicing counselors focus on this age group. The American Psychological Association (APA) estimates that between 5000 and 7500 psychologists educated to understand the aging process and the unique mental health needs of elders are necessary to meet current and future demands as the older adult demographic doubles to over 80 million people. Designed for practitioners providing or transitioning to begin providing counseling services to older adults, the focus of this specialization is on the psychological effects and mental health concerns of aging. Health Promotion
By 2030, more than 20% of the American population will be over the age of and most will have at least one chronic health condition. A growing professional specialty in Gerontology relates to reducing the likelihood of disability and improving the health of older adults to reduce health care costs, increase functional ability, and improve overall quality of life. This specialization is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to focus on wellness and increase the health, function, and overall well-being of older adults. Programming for Older Adults
Enrichment programs facilitate the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being of older adults, but can be targeted towards any of the six dimensions of wellness. With emphasis on both theory and application, this specialization recognizes the growing interests and diverse needs that must be taken into consideration when developing programs to improve the lives of older adults. Generalist
Don’t need a specific focus? Consider aging topics of your choice by selecting any two Gerontology electives. |
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