Health Professions

A graduate certificate in aging studies for health professionals is designed for healthcare professionals and those in the behavioral sciences who seek advanced knowledge in gerontology and the aging process to better serve aging healthcare consumers, patients or clients. The curriculum immerses students in the psychological, sociological and biological perspectives of an aging society, public health and communication across aging populations, cultural considerations, and navigating Medicare.

Professionals will gain knowledge that is critical to understanding and enhancing the quality of life and outcomes of aging adults.

Curriculum Completion/Transfer

The curriculum can be completed within one academic year, with program entry available in both the fall and spring semesters. All 12 credit hours are fully transferable to the Master of Arts in aging studies program. Students may pursue the certificate as non-degree-seeking professionals or concurrently with a graduate program, such as the Master of Arts in aging studies, clinical programs within the health professions, and social work. The online certificate provides affordable, high-quality distance education with in-state tuition rates regardless of residency, enabling students to earn their graduate certificate from anywhere in the state or across the country.

Admission

In order to be admitted into the graduate certificate in aging studies for health professionals program, the applicant must:

1. Be admitted to the Graduate School in a degree program or in nondegree Category A status. All Graduate School policies relative to admission apply. International students will not be issued an I-20 for certificate programs alone. International students may obtain this certificate only while concurrently pursuing a graduate degree.
2. Have a bachelor degree of any discipline to be considered for admission.
3. Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.750 (on a 4.000 scale) or a 2.750 in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
4. Submit a personal goals essay of 250 words or less which clearly articulates the applicant's reason for seeking the graduate certificate in aging studies for health professionals. 
5. Submit a current resume.

Application Deadlines: July 15th for fall admission; December 1st for spring admission; April 15th for summer admission.

Program Requirements

The graduate certificate in aging for health professionals is a fully online, 12-credit-hour program designed for healthcare professionals and those in the behavioral sciences who seek advanced knowledge in gerontology and the aging process to better serve aging healthcare consumers, patients or clients. Curriculum immerses students in the psychological, sociological and biological perspectives of an aging society, public health and communication across aging populations, cultural considerations and navigating Medicare.

Classes completed in pursuit of the certificate can be applied to the graduate program of study for the Master of Arts in aging studies, core curriculum. A student admitted to the master's program can apply all 12 certificate credit hours to the graduate degree, leading to completion of their MA within one year.

Courses started more than 10 years before the semester in which the master's degree work is completed may not be used as part of the degree program. The total number of credit hours required for the certificate in public health is 12, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or above and no grade that generates less than 2.000 credit points per credit hour.

The certificate can be completed within one year. Courses are offered on the following rotation:

In addition to the above requirements, students must meet the Graduate School’s requirements in order to earn this certificate.