Gerontology Certificate Program

The Gerontology Certificate Program is no longer accepting new students.

The Gerontology Certificate program is designed to prepare individuals who seek education, training and certification in gerontology.  The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to gerontology and is designed for baccalaureate degree graduates who desire specialization in line with their interest, needs and career application.  The interdisciplinary nature of the program also embraces different backgrounds and interests and is suited for graduates from any undergraduate major including those in social and human services, and health professions. The program requires the completion of 18 credit hours of courses, 12 of which are required courses.  Required courses address the realities of aging including perspectives on the biological, physiological and psychosocial aspects of aging, policies, programs and services for older adults.  Additional areas of elective study include ethnogerontology, aging and adaptation, public policy and aging, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, death and dying, and bereavement.  An internship is offered as an elective.  Completion of 12 credit hours is required prior to beginning the internship.
 

Careers in Gerontology

Populations are aging worldwide. This means that people live longer, and the number of older persons is increasing. In the U.S., of those born in 1900 nearly half died before they were 50 years old. People born today can expect to live beyond their 75th year. In 1900 about one in 25 Americans was over 65; today one in eight is over 65. The age group growing fastest in our society and in many other countries is the "very old": people aged 85 and over. This growth will continue well into the 21st century, when one in five Americans will be over 65, and there will be 15 to 18 million persons over the age of 85.

These growth trends will result in a demand for professionals with knowledge and expertise in aging. Expanded career opportunities in gerontology are forecast in many disciplines and professions, each area requiring a work force with education and training in gerontology. Some people will work directly with elders in:

• developing programs such as health promotion, senior theater groups, intergenerational activities for elders in senior centers, community agencies, or retirement communities;
• providing direct care to frail, ill, or impaired older persons in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or through adult day care or home care programs;
• counseling older people and their families about issues of caregiving, employment, death and dying, or mental health; and
• advising older clients about estate planning and investments, financing long-term care or housing options.

Other professionals are less directly involved with older persons, but work on their behalf, educate others, or investigate issues in the field of aging. Examples of their activities include:

• conducting research on the aging processes and diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer's disease or osteoporosis;
• analyzing issues related to elders such as retirement opportunities, income maintenance, the health care system, and housing alternatives;
• planning, administering, and evaluating community-based services and service delivery systems for older persons;
• teaching classes and courses to community members, college and university students, health care professionals, and older adults;
• advocating with or on behalf of elders before legislative bodies or in institutional settings;
• designing products to meet the special interests and needs of older persons; and
• advising business, industry, and labor regarding older workers and consumers.

Visit Careers in Aging for more information.

Admissions Information

• The Gerontology Certificate program admission requirements include:
• Submission of a Florida Gulf Coast University Non Degree Seeking Enrollment Application  for program admission, and satisfaction of all applicable university admission requirements.
• Submission of a completed application for the Gerontology Certificate program.
• Graduation from a baccalaureate level program or a graduate degree from an accredited college or university, documented by official transcripts.
• Minimum score of 600 on TOEFL for international students who speak English as a second language.

Applicants may apply for either spring or fall admission.  To assure consideration, applicants must be admitted to FGCU and supplemental application materials must be postmarked to the College of Health Professions.

Graduation Requirements

A program faculty advisor is available to assist students.  A Certificate in Gerontology is conferred upon successful completion of the program.

Program Plan

Eighteen (18) credits of coursework are required to complete the gerontology program.  These 18 credits include 12 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives.  Students select electives based on their areas of interest.

This is a web based distance learning program.

Required Courses in the Certificate Program (12 Total Credits)

• GEY 5005     Orientation to Gerontology  3
• GEY 5325  Programs and Services for Older Adults  3
• GEY 6613  The Science of Aging  3
• GEY 6645  Psychosocial Aspects of Aging  3

Elective Courses in the Certificate Program (6 Total Credits)

• GEY 5255  Aging and Adaptation  3
• GEY 5630  Economics of Aging  3
• GEY 6626  Ethnogerontology:  Diversity in Aging  3
• GEY 6942  Gerontology Internship  3
• HSA 5225  Long Term Care Administration  3
• GEY 5934   Topics in Gerontology (course may be repeated under different topics).
  

  Topics  include:
  Public Policy and Aging
  Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
  Perspectives on Death and Dying
  Bereavement Counseling