GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN GERONTOLOGY

The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is designed for those students who wish to receive post-baccalaureate training in gerontology. The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology can be taken by itself or in conjunction with pursuit of a graduate degree in another field. 18 credit hours are required.

Requirements of admission to the graduate certificate program are the same as those required for admission to the Graduate School: an undergraduate degree, a GPA of 2.75 or better, and three letters of recommendation.

The Graduate Certificate can be taken by itself or in conjunction with the pursuit of the Master of Science in Gerontology degree, the Master of Social Work degree, or a graduate degree in another field

The 18 hour distribution requirements for the Graduate Certificate are as follows:

Public Policy and Aging - 3 credits
Geron 6443 / SW 6443 - Health Care Policy (3) or
Geron 5449 - Issues in Retirement

Health and Physical Aspects of Aging - 3 credits
Geron 6441 - Aging and Health Behavior (3) or
Geron 5610 / SW 5610 - Mechanisms of Aging I: The Aging Body (1) and
Geron 5611 / SW 5611 - Mechanisms of Aging II: The Aging Brain (1) and
Geron 5612 / SW 5612 - Mechanisms of Aging III: Diseases of Aging (1)

Psychosocial Aspects of Aging - 3 credits
Geron 4361 - Sociology of Aging (3) or
Geron 4376 - Mental Health and Aging (3) or
Geron 5440 - Cultural Aspects of Aging (3) or
SW 6120 - Theory and Practice with Older Adults (3)

Practicum in Gerontology - 3 credits

The curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, the Graduate Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration and the Master of Science in Gerontology degree program all require the completion of Gerontology 6495 - Practicum in Gerontology (3 hours). This practicum experience is arranged with a local agency serving the needs of older adults and their families and must be approved by the Director of the Gerontology Program. The practicum will total 150 service hours, spaced over a 6-8 week period.

Graduate students who already have professional field experience equivalent to the internship may request an exemption. Any request for an exemption from the internship requirement must be approved by the gerontology program director after a review of the student's professional or managerial field experience with appropriate documentation. Students who receive an exemption must take another 3 hours of electives from the Gerontology program.

Practicum Guidelines for Gerontology Students
Student Learning Agreement
Time sheet for Gerontology Practica
Risk Insurance Letter

Electives in Gerontology - 6 credits
Geron 6450 - Gerontological Assessment (3)
Geron 6460 - Long-Term Care Administration (3)
Geron 6498 - Advanced Seminar in Gerontology (3)
Geron 6499 - Topics in Gerontology (1) or electives in Nonprofit Management or Business Administration

Gerontology Course Descriptions
Business Administration Course Descriptions
Non-Profit Management Course Descriptions
Social Work Course Descriptions

Specific advising on courses is available from the program director:

Thomas M. Meuser, Ph.D.
Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work and Psychology
meusert@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5421

To apply online go to the Graduate School admissions web site.