Gerontology Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology provides multidisciplinary specialized training for postbaccalaureate and graduate students interested in acquiring or upgrading skills appropriate to working with or on behalf of older adults in a variety of settings. Students need not be enrolled in a degree program to receive the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
Website: www.pdx.edu/ioa/graduate-certificate-in-gerontology
The certificate program consists of a six-course format (18 credits minimum) made up of a three-course multidisciplinary core, two elective courses, and an internship or independent research project. The coursework will provide students with a general multidisciplinary overview of the field of aging, while the internship or independent project will allow a student to acquire experiential learning in a community-based aging services organization.
Course requirements for the Graduate Certificate program:
Three required classes
| Age 556 | Health Aspects of Aging | 4 |
| Age 558 | Perspectives on Aging | 3 |
| | | |
| Psy 562 | Psychology of Adult Development and Aging | 4 |
| | or | |
| Soc 569 | Sociology of Aging | 4 |
For MSW students the three (3) required courses are:
Internship Requirements
In addition, students are expected to undertake either an internship in an aging-services program or an independent research project; this typically takes place during the last term of certificate work.
Electives
Two electives are required for ALL students from the following, or other aging-specific courses, as available.
A good rule of thumb in determining if a course is aging-specific, is if aging, elderly, lifecourse or older adult are in the title.
| Age 516 | Families and Aging | 4 |
| Age 523 | Business and Aging | 4 |
| Age 557 | National Long-term Care Policy | 3 |
| Age 556 | Health Aspects of Aging | 4 |
| Age 559 | Economics of Aging | 3 |
| Age 560 | Mental Health and Aging | 3 |
| PHE 561 | Cultural Variations in Aging | 3 |
| Age 562 | Global Aging | 3 |
| Age 563 | Service Learning in Nicaragua: Enhancing Communities for an Aging Society | 3 |
| Soc 566 | Sociology of Dying and Death | 4 |
| SW 544 | Mid-Life and Beyond | 3 |
| SW 569 | Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care | 3 |
| SW 574 | Social Work with Older Adults | 3 |
| USP 564 | Political and Administrative Issues in Aging | 3 |
| USP 585 | Housing Environments for Older Adults | 3 |
Note: Age 556 is an elective option for MSW students only.
There may be other approved classes – they will be listed on the web each quarter at www.pdx.edu/ioa/class-schedule
Students may select only one 510 course per certificate program. 510 courses may be used only as electives.
Total Credit Hours: 18
Graduate students in other programs, such as Urban Studies, Urban & Regional Planning, Public Administration: Health Administration, and Public Policy, can also specialize in gerontology with the right plan and academic advising.