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Certificate Program in Gerontology

 

Undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology


The Undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology (UCG) can be earned concurrently with undergraduate degree programs. The UCG program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for entry-level jobs in the field of aging, and paves the way for various careers in gerontology. Gerontologists work in many different settings such as hospitals, community clinics, job re-training and placement agencies, retirement communities, adult day care centers, senior centers, faith-based agencies and government agencies, and they have various choices in the work they do. They may:

  1. Provide direct services to older adults
  2. Plan and evaluate programs for the elderly
  3. Educate and train paraprofessionals, and professionals interested in serving
  4. older adults
  5. Craft policies and administer programs
  6. Conduct research in aging
  7. Advocate for older adults

Students in the 15-credit undergraduate program take courses from at least three different departments (e.g., family resources, nursing, psychology, public health, religion, social work, and sociology). Upon acceptance into the program, students create and maintain a portfolio to document their work, skills acquired, and other accomplishments. The contents of the portfolio will be the basis of discussion at exit interviews when students are ready to graduate.


For Undergraduate Certificate application form, please click
Application form. (to access application form, please use Internet Explorer)
For other inquiries, please contact, Center on Aging


Advanced Certificate in Gerontology



In the year 2030, one in five persons will be 65 years and older. Professionals in many fields are finding that their jobs require an increased knowledge of aging matters.


Studying gerontology is a good idea for nurses, social workers, lawyers, physicians, public health professionals, mental health workers, and urban planners, who will likely see more older adults in their practices.


The Advanced Certificate in Gerontology program offers community professionals and graduate students a learning environment that integrates academia with hands-on experience, as well as an opportunity to network with gerontologists in the community. The 15-credit program includes an interdisciplinary seminar(IS611), a field practicum (IS610), and three other graduate level courses. In all, courses taken for the program must be from at least three different departments (e.g., interdisciplinary studies, laws, nursing, psychology, public health, religion, social work, sociology).


Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and be accepted by the University of Hawaii's graduate division. Students who are concurrently enrolled in a graduate program on campus may, upon approval, count up to 6 credits of relevant course work toward the certificate. Also, upon approval, the Center on Aging my waive the field practicum (IS610) if the students is concurrently doing a 3-credit gerontological field practicum for the master's degree requirement. In such a case, students will register for IS610 as a one-credit class to write up the field work paper. Upon acceptance into the program, students create and maintain a portfolio to document their work, skills acquired, and other accomplishments. The contents of the portfolio will be the basis of discussion at exit interviews when students are ready to graduate.


For information, contact:
John A. Burns School of Medicine
Office of Graduate Students' Academic Services
Tel (808) 956-8267

For Advanced Certificate application form, please click Application instruction & form. (to access application form, please use Internet Explorer)
For other inquiries, please contact, Center on Aging
Tel (808) 956-5001

or send e-mail to: Dr. Kathryn Braun kbraun@hawaii.edu

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