Applied Gerontology Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology focuses on the biological, psychological, social, policy and ethical aspects of aging. Students acquire the knowledge and skills to pursue careers within aging services organizations.
Aging is a dynamic field of study where demographic and generational shifts are impacting all disciplines and demanding innovations in how we care for older adults.
Americans are living longer than at any other time in history. In the U.S. by 2035, there will be more adults over the age of 65 than children below the age of 18. This means that for the first time in history, older adults will outnumber children. There will be an increasing and ongoing need for professionals to help support older adults.
There are many employment options that support older adults, including medical, hospice, long-term care, rehabilitation, home and community-based services, behavioral health, corrections, criminal justice, research and policy analysis, program development, advocacy, education and training.
Program Type
Graduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus, Online
Why Earn the Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology?
- To increase knowledge, skills, and effectiveness in working with older adults
- To develop an interdisciplinary perspective on aging
- To enhance your professional marketability through graduate-level specialization in the field of aging
This graduate-level certificate is designed for two categories of students who are interested in a specialization in gerontology:
- Graduate-degree seeking students in any field
- Degreed professionals who wish to advance and refocus their career
Students wishing to earn the certificate must complete the required 18 graduate credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. No student may complete all 18 credits within a single school or college.
Some credits may double count toward one’s degree program. The amount of credits to double count is at the discretion of the program.
What Makes This Certificate Unique
The gerontology certificate program encourages students to link practice and research to improve the quality of life of older adults. Our nationally recognized faculty are dedicated to mentoring students in their chosen paths through the field, whether that’s academic research and publishing in the field of aging or innovating practice methods in the care of older adults in the community.
Career Opportunities
This certification program provides students with the knowledge and skills to effectively meet the needs of the aging population in a wide range of careers. There are opportunities in nursing, teaching, service, administration and research that focus on the needs and interests of older adults. These opportunities also exist within government programs and agencies; public and private institutions that provide health, education, and social services; research centers; special interest groups; colleges and universities; and corporate human resources divisions.
Please note there is a three-year time limit to complete the certificate program from the point of initial enrollment.
Required Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS 765 | Processes of Aging | 3 | Fall (online) |
| SOC WRK 851 | Social Issues and Policy Analysis: Aging | 3 | Spring (online) |
Choice Core Courses (choose 6 credits)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AD LDSP 547 | The Educational Dimensions of Practice with Older Adults | 3 |
| OCCTHPY 744 | Advanced Occupational Therapy for Aging Adults *Open to Occupational Therapy students only | 3 |
| PSYCH 680 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| SOC WRK 680 | Death and Dying | 3 |
| SOC WRK 685 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| SOC WRK 855 | Practice Skills and Concepts for Aging and Health | 3 |
Elective Courses (choose 6 credits)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AD LDSP 757 | Principles and Foundations of Adult Education | 3 |
| ARCH 791 | Master’s Level Directed Research | 3 |
| ARCH 792 | Master’s Level Independent Studies and Research | 3 |
| ARCH 794 | Pre-Thesis or Master’s Project Research | 3 |
| ARCH 850 | Advanced Design Studio: Vulnerability | 6 |
| ARCH 891 | Master’s Project | 6 |
| COMMUN 672 | Communication and Social Order | 3 |
| ED PSY 747 | Human Development: Study of the Adult | 3 |
| ENGLISH 749 | Advanced Internship in Writing and Community Engagement | 6 |
| NURS 671 | Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II *Open to Nursing students only | 3 |
| NURS 702 | Advanced Practice Nursing Adult-Gerontology Chronic Illness *Open to Nursing students only | 3 |
| OCCTHPY 625 | Design and Disability | 3 |
| OCCTHPY 760 | Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology *Open to Occupational Therapy Students only | 3 |
| OCCTHPY 770 | Assessment in Assistive Technology and Accessible Design | 3 |
| PSYCH 782 | The Aging Brain | 3 |
| SOC WRK 564 | Concepts, Controversies, and Critical Policies for Older Adults | 3 |
- Contact Jen Kahn-Pettigrew, Coordinator for Education and Programming (kahnpet2@uwm.edu or 414-229-6888), to set up an advising appointment.
- Review the UWM Graduate School certificate information.
- Apply to UWM’s Graduate School as a certificate student.
- Complete the Certificate in Applied Gerontology declaration form.
- Clinical Associate Professor, Social Work
- Field Liaison, Social Work Field Program
- Coordinator of Education & Programming, Applied Gerontology
- kahnpet2@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6888
- Enderis Hall 1067
