Gerontology Certificate

Certificate Name and Number: Gerontology Certificate - CTGERG

Department/Unit: College of Health Sciences and Professions – Department of Interdisciplinary Health Studies

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus, Online, Hybrid, Distance

Certificate Overview: The multidisciplinary graduate certificate in gerontology addresses the educational needs of graduate students and professionals not only in health care but a variety of disciplines who work with the aging or elderly population who have already earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. The Graduate Gerontology Certificate Program allows students in any graduate program within the University to gain knowledge and skills related to working with the elderly, and it provides an opportunity for those who possess a bachelor’s or an advanced degree to gain the same knowledge and skills even if they are not currently seeking an advanced degree. It is appropriate for students planning to continue doctoral preparation in gerontology or related areas.

Graduation Requirements: You must complete at least 15 credit hours from the following courses, including an approved practicum. Other courses may be substituted with prior approval of certificate program coordinator. In order to be awarded the certificate, you must complete the above courses with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and no grade in an individual course lower than a “C” (2.0). Degree-seeking students who complete the program are awarded the gerontology certificate upon graduation, and a notation of the certificate is recorded on the student’s transcript. Non-degree students receive a notation of the certificate on their transcripts upon completion of certificate requirements. Upon applying for graduation (for degree-seeking students) or completion of the certificate requirements (for non-degree students), you must contact the program coordinator for verification of completion and the awarding of the certificate. For more information on course offerings or other concerns, contact the gerontology certificate program coordinator.

Required Courses

Required Practicum: HLTH 6921 – Practicum (at least 3 credit hours)

Elective Courses: Select at least 12 hours from the following courses.

CFS 5600 - Children, Families, and Diversity
CFS 5800 - Death, Dying and Bereavement
CFS 6890 - Self, Aging, and Society
CFS 6901 - Thanatology
CLWR 5820 - Thinking About Death: Belief and Practice
CSD 5000 - Aging and Disorders of Communication
CSD 6935 - Aging and Communication in the Developing World
EDCE 7380 - Gerontological Counseling
HLTH 6130 - Aging and Health
HLTH 6791 - Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control
REC 5210 - Principles of Aging, Physical Activity, and Recreation
SW 5233 - Counseling Older Adults
SW 5293 - Aging in American Society

Admission Requirements: The Graduate Gerontology Certificate Program will accept students in two categories: those who have been admitted to an advanced-degree program at Ohio University and those who possess a bachelor’s or advanced degree but are not currently in a degree program at Ohio University.

If you are a current advanced-degree-seeking student at Ohio University, you must obtain an application for Update of Program(s) from Graduate Student Services, any dean’s office, or the coordinator of the Gerontology Certificate Program. After completing the application and obtaining your advisor’s and the program coordinator’s signatures, turn the form in to Graduate Student Services.
To apply for the certificate program as a non-degree student, you must submit an application, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, post-secondary transcripts, an essay on career goals and objectives, a resume, and three letters of recommendation and submit to this package to the Graduate College.

Contact Information
College of Health Sciences and Professions
Interdisciplinary Health Studies, Department of
Grover Center W182
Athens, OH 45701

ihs@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/chsp/i hs/undergraduate/gerentology-certificate.cfm

Julie Brown, Contact person, brownj14@ohio.edu