Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Download
the Certificate in Gerontology information sheet and application packet.
The
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology program provides multidisciplinary training
for post-baccalaureate students interested in working with the aged in a
variety of settings. The field of gerontology addresses the social issues,
problems, policies, and programs that affect the quality of life for our
rapidly aging population.
Career Opportunities
As
our population ages, more programs are developing that provide services to
seniors. Thus, a workforce that has expertise in adult development and aging is
increasingly valuable.
Employment
possibilities include aging services at the federal, state and county levels of
government as well as positions in the non-profit world of health and social
services. There is also a need in the supportive housing arena, e.g., assisted
living, nursing homes.
Affiliations
The
Graduate Certificate in gerontology is an interdisciplinary program centered in
the Institute on Aging, within the
Relationship to PSU
Graduate Programs
Courses
completed for this Graduate Certificate may be applied toward graduate degrees
at PSU provided they meet the appropriate standards for use in the degree.
Students
in the MSW program can pursue a combined MSW and Graduate Certificate in
Gerontology. Application to the Certificate program through IOA is still
required. To fulfill the certificate internship requirement, students must
register for one credit in PHE504. Internships must be approved by the IOA
Director. Students must contact IOA during the term prior to the internship or
research project to obtain specific directions and process approval.
Registration with approved By-arrangement form only. Students can find course
requirements on the
Admission Requirements
All students must complete the IOA departmental
graduate certificate application, which consists of application form, personal
essay, two evaluation letters, and official transcripts for all college credit
previously earned by the student. The application packet can be downloaded.
If
not already enrolled at PSU, students must apply for admission to the
University as a graduate student. Complete the University application for
graduate admission.
Students
who are enrolled in a graduate program at PSU and would like to add the certificate
need to fill out a GO-19M form. This form must be signed by a member of your
degree program department, and then by the director of IOA. The form can be
found on the Graduate Studies and Research website.
All
PSU Graduate Certificate programs require that an applicant have a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in all undergraduate courses.
Applicants with cumulative undergraduate GPAs between 2.50 and 2.74 may be
considered for conditional admission only.
The
Graduate Certificate consists of a six-course
program, with a minimum of 18 course credits, including a three-course
multidisciplinary core, two elective courses, and an internship or an
independent research project.
Students
need not be enrolled in a regular master’s or doctoral program to pursue the
Graduate Certificate, although students in such programs are eligible to enroll
in the Graduate Certificate Program in
Gerontology in addition to their other graduate work. Course offerings are
arranged to let most students fulfill requirements within two academic years of part-time study.
Students
obtaining the Master of Urban Studies or the Ph.D. in Urban Studies can elect
Gerontology as their major or minor field area instead of, or in addition to,
obtaining the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. Students in the Master of
Social Work (MSW) program also are able to simultaneously
obtain the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. Program requirements for MSW
students differ, however. Students in
the MSW program should consult with their adviser in the Graduate School of
Social Work or with the Institute on Aging Staff.
Course requirements for
the Graduate Certificate program:
1. Three required classes:
PHE 556, Health Aspects of Aging
PHE 558/658, Perspectives on Aging,
(for ALL students, including MSW
students)
PSY 562, Psychology of Adult Development
and Aging
OR
SOC 569, Sociology of Aging
2. Two electives from the following or other aging-specific courses, as
available: (a good rule of thumb in determining if a course is ‘aging-specific’ is if ‘aging’ or ‘elderly’ is in the title)
PHE510, Global Health and Aging
Focus on
and spring term, with travel to
apply. (this class is restricted and requires IOA Director approval)
PHE557/657,
National Long Term Care Policy
PHE559/659,
Economics of Aging
PHE560/660,
Mental Health and Aging
PHE561/661,
Cultural Variations in Aging
SP547,
Communications and Aging
SW545/645,
Advanced Theories of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SW574,
Social Work with Frail Older Adults
SW510,
End-of-Life Decision Making
USP585,
Housing and Environments for the Elderly
USP564,
Political and Administrative Issues in Aging
There may be other approved classes
– they will be listed on the class schedule page each term.
3. An internship in an
aging-services program or an independent research project, normally the last
term of certificate work. Internships and projects must be approved by the IOA
Director. Students must contact IOA during the term prior to the internship or
research project to obtain specific directions and process approval.
Registration with approved By-arrangement form only.
PHE501, Independent Research Project
PHE504, Internship
