Gerontology Graduate Certificate
The University of North Georgia offers a Gerontology Certificate. This program is designed to enable students at the graduate levels to obtain a certificate in two to three semesters.
To receive the Gerontology Certificate, students must successfully complete 18 credit hours of coursework.
Program Application Deadlines
All application materials are to be received prior to the deadline. If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.
Fall Deadline
- July 15
Spring Deadline
- December 1
Summer Deadline
- April 15
Gerontology Graduate Certificate Quick Facts
- Online program, no campus visit required
- Asynchronous online classes
- Program length 18 credit hours
- Apply as non-degree
- Practicum or research option
- Practicum may be completed in person or virtually
- Federal financial aid is not available
How to Apply for the Gerontology Graduate Certificate
Gerontology Graduate Certificate Curriculum
Choose 1 (3 credit hours)
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The Seminar in Aging is designed as the first in a set of four gerontology courses taught online. This course is appropriate for both graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students. Its primary purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of the biology, psychology and sociology of aging. In addition, contemporary topics related to older individuals and aging are introduced. Participation by students and faculty will highlight the complexities of the aging process from diverse perspectives. Student are introduced to the field of gerontology.
Hours:
3
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This course focuses on the conditions that promote or limit human functioning within the context of the life course. Particular emphasis is placed on the historical, cultural, psychological physiological, biological and social contexts of aging across the life course.
Hours:
3
Choose 4 (12 credit hours)
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The Biology of Aging course is designed to provide the basics of the biology of aging with a system-by-system description of aging phenomena in the body. Course content is organized by organ systems reviewing the basics of normal physiology first with subsequent introduction to changes based on aging processes. Participation by students in discussions based on recent research on biology of aging topics will highlight the complexities of the aging processes from diverse perspectives. This course is appropriate for both upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students in health related fields and those interested in the physiological changes that occur with aging.
Hours:
3
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In this course students will examine the services available for older adults. Content includes theoretical and practical issues, advocacy, barrier to services, as well as exposure to opportunities for service and employment. This course also offers a survey of current resources for an aging population, including the family, private, local, state, and federal programs, with a focus on multicultural impacts and advocacy.
Hours:
3
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This course focuses on differential communication skills, including communicating with clients, families, and caregivers. Also covered are discussions of health literacy and ways to improve the health literacy of clients and caregivers and communications research including verbal, non-verbal, and written communications and application of findings for excellence in communications skills. This course will provide the necessary intervention knowledge, theory, and skills to effectively communicate with older adults in facilitating maximum autonomy and functioning. The course will meet the needs of students who are training to be human services professionals such as caregivers, services brokers, advocates, and teachers.
Hours:
3
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The Psychology of Aging course is designed to provide an introduction and overview of research findings for introductory level graduate and upper-level undergraduate students. Course content is designed to provide a general overview of the domain of psychology and aging with an emphasis on critical evaluation of research. Accordingly, we will examine aging research and practice to obtain a general picture of the far-ranging contributions of both academic and applied psychology to later life and show how psychological research translates into practice.
Hours:
3
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This course examines age as a social construct and aging as a social process. We will explore the effects of societal norms and social institutions on the aging experiences of individuals as well as the effects of qualities of generations and the age structure of a population on a society and its institutions. Students will become familiar with major sociological theories of aging. Â We will discuss issues of age-related inequality and its confluence with social class, race, and gender inequalities. We will analyze major contemporary issues in aging.
Hours:
3
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Permission of the instructor.
Hours:
3
Choose 1 (3 credit hours)
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Students whose discipline has a practitioner's emphasis may complete an approved practicum in a community-based gerontological setting for not less than three semester hrs. The practicum must be approved by the Gerontology faculty advisor. This course is a supervised field experience designed to assist in reinforcing knowledge, theories and principles gained through courses related to Gerontology.
Hours:
3
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Students who discipline is focused on research may submit a thesis which they have completed to fulfill Master's requirements within their academic department or they may complete an individual research project for not less than three semester hours. The thesis or project must be approved by the Gerontology faculty advisor prior to the development of the project in order to qualify for the certificate.
Hours:
3
Questions?
For questions about the application process, contact:
Graduate Admissions
grads@ung.edu
706-864-1543