Gerontology
Certificate Program: Post-Associates or Post-Bachelor
Certificate
Purpose:
The Gerontology
Certificate Program addresses the needs of students with career
interests in the rapidly expanding field of aging. Completion of
the certificate program better prepares our graduates for
challenging positions in planning, program development and direct
service delivery in a wide variety of gerontology and geriatric
settings. As the number of older persons in our society increases,
professionals will require knowledge about the psychosocial,
biological and health, social policy, economic, and service
delivery aspects of aging.
Description:
The gerontology
certificate program, administered through the Department of Social
Work's Aging, Family and Intergenerational Studies Programs, is
an18 credit-hour course of study. The program, which is committed
to excellence, was developed in relation to the standards and
guidelines established by the Association for Gerontology in Higher
Education (AGHE). Maximum time allowed for completion of the
certificate is five years.
Curriculum
Requirements:
The core
curriculum (four courses required)
·
GERN/SOCI 280 Social Gerontology
·
GERN 305 Programs and Services for the Elderly
(prerequisite: GERN/SOCI 280)
·
GERN 400 Skills and Techniques in Gerontological
Assessment (prerequisite: GERN/SOCI 280)
·
GERN 495 Field Experience/Seminar (the capstone
course in the minor) (prerequisites: GERN/SOCI 280, GERN 305 and
400, Major Elective and approval of the gerontology minor
adviser)
Elective Courses
(two courses required)
·
Major Elective (a course supporting the student's
major or related field of study with 50% of the course content in
gerontology)
·
Elective (must be a course in which the content is
at least 50% gerontology).
[One course from the
student's previous degree can be counted toward one of the two
electives required in the program if meets criteria as determined
by the minor adviser]
Requirements for
Admission to the Gerontology Certificate
Program:
·
An Associates degree or Bachelor's degree from an
accredited institution
·
Currently employed, ideally in the field of
aging
Application
Instructions:
Submit the
following to Outreach Programs at:
Outreach Programs
James Madison University
Attn: Certificate Program Application
MSC 6906
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
·
Official transcript showing completion of
associates or bachelors degree
·
A completed Nondegree Seeking (Special Student)
Application form and the $45 application fee (complete on-line at
www.jmu.edu/outreach:
click on "Apply Online Now")
Submit the
following to:
R. Ann Myers
Department of Social Work
MSC 4303
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
·
Professional Resume
·
Personal Statement (2-3 pages double spaced)
describing the applicant's background, educational goals and how
the applicant would benefit from completion of the certificate
program
·
Two letters of reference from persons familiar
with the applicant's experience in the field of aging and/or
ability in working with older persons (one must be from a current
supervisor)
For additional information
or to pursue admission to the gerontology certificate program,
contact: R. Ann Myers, Gerontology adviser, 540-568-6980, myersra@jmu.edu
