The Gerontology Certificate Program at Maryville provides students with a multidisciplinary approach to gerontology. The program consists of courses that provide a broad background in the “field of aging” for students from various disciplines. Students acquire knowledge and skills of the physical, mental, social and cultural aspects of aging through specialized courses.
The “field of aging” is a system of organizations, institutions, corporations, facilities, government agencies and individuals that provide older Americans with services, educate professionals and the public, and carry out research on various aspects of aging. Students with knowledge in gerontology carry out diverse roles in the “field of aging” which includes: direct service provision, program planning and evaluation, management and administration, marketing and product development, advocacy, education and training, and research.
The certificate in Gerontology requires 18 semester hours of “C” or better aging-related courses. A passing grade is required in each course applied toward the certificate. Students in the program must complete the core course, HEPR 150, Introduction to Gerontology. Students also are required to take a minimum of one course from each of the three focus areas:
- Biological/Health Aspects of Aging
- Psychological Aspects of Aging
- Sociocultural Aspects of Aging.
The student must complete the remaining hours by choosing from the Gerontology course offerings.
The student may receive special approval to take related courses which address aging and gerontology that may be offered in other programs. A minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework must be completed at Maryville. With permission of the program director, the student may take HEPR 305, Independent Study in Gerontology. This course is a three-credit independent study that explores areas related to aging. The student must conduct a literature review, design an individual project and review gerontological literature.
Students completing the program have a variety of job opportunities including hospitals, outpatient facilities, mental health and social services, long-term care, health departments, health care corporations, insurance companies and government agencies.
Eligibility
The program is open to all interested undergraduate students in good standing and special-status students whose career interests and needs are served by completing the program. For further information regarding this certificate program, contact the School of Health Professions 314.529.9625.
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