• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Health will provide graduate students, individual practitioners, and professionals working with the elderly a substantive foundation in gerontology coursework at the graduate level and opportunity to apply knowledge through a practicum experience.

Degree Requirements

A graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Health is available through the Department of Applied Health Science for both non-major and major. The certificate requires a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate course work with a minimum cumulative GPA in certificate courses of 3.0. 

Complete the following course (3 cr.):

• HPER- H 524 Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Gerontology (3 cr.)   

Complete one of the following courses (3 – 5 credits):

• HPER-F 542 Internship in Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 642 Internship in Health Promotion (3 cr.) (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)
• HPER-H 643 Practicum in Health Education (3 cr.) (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)
• HPER-C 644 Field Experience in Public Health (5 cr.)* (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)

Complete two of the following courses (6 cr.):

• EDUC-P 518 Social Aspects of Aging and Aging Families (3 cr.) (online)
• EDUC-P 517 Adult Development and Aging  (3 cr.) (online)
• HPER-C 615 Health, Longevity, and Integrative Therapies for the Later Years  (3 cr.) (online)
• HPER-C 535 Contemporary Issues in Aging and Health  (3 cr.) (online)
• HPER-C 625 Technological Designs for Health and Independence  (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 560 Grief in the Family Context  (3 cr.) (online) (prerequisite: 6 cr. of social and historical studies courses or consent of instructor)
• HPER-F 533 Human Development III: Adulthood (3 cr.) (P: 6 cr. of social and historical studies courses or consent of instructor)
• HPER-R 565 Leisure and Aging (3 cr.)
• HPER-R 566 Therapeutic Interventions with the Elderly (3 cr.) (online)

* Restricted to students admitted to the MPH program. MPH students earning the Certificate should take C644 (5 cr.). The Certificate appended to an MPH will be a 14 credit certificate.

Special Opportunities

The certificate is 12 credit hours, and includes a 3 credit practicum. Students do not need to be in residence in Bloomington to complete any part of the certificate. All of the coursework and the practicum can be completed online or on campus. The online courses cover the social, cultural, biological and psychological aspects of gerontology. Current issues in pharmacology, the family, exercise physiology, and the diversity of the older adult population are featured. The interactive, multimedia courses use case studies from current practitioners.

Careers

The reality of our aging society is resulting in a demand for professionals with knowledge and expertise in ageing. There are expanding career opportunities in many fields. From working with well elderly in the community to assisting frail elders in institutions, there is a demand in fields including health care, finance, housing, education, recreation, law and counseling. In addition, new technologies are changing the way people age. Many people are starting their own businesses to help people to age well and maintain their independence. There are many diverse opportunities for a career in the field of aging.