Center on Aging (COA) Undergraduate (UG) Certificate on Aging Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Apply?

  • Any UH classified undergraduate student
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5

Can someone not enrolled as a UH student enroll in the certificate program?

  • It is not advised. The student would still need to apply to UH and meet admission criteria, e.g., submit high school transcript, take SAT, etc.

How to Apply

How can students apply for the Undergraduate Certificate Program?

  • Students should apply directly to the Center on Aging (COA). Contact Dejah Faasoa, Administration and Fiscal Support, uhcoa@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-5001
  • Students must complete the application packet, which includes:
    1. The application form (http://www.hawaii.edu/aging/application-form/)
    2. Transcript(s) (at the undergraduate level, current and past)
    3. One letter of recommendation
    4. Possible interview
    5. CV/ Resume

Can students apply at any time, or do they have to apply by a certain deadline each semester?

  • Yes, (Subject to change – new deadlines will be announced soon.)

Certificate Requirements

How many credits are needed, and at what level?

  • The Undergraduate Certificate on Aging is a 15- credit program.
  • Students are required to take a minimum of five courses in three different departments, selected from an approved list of gerontology courses. One of the five courses should be a capstone course  
  • At least 6 of the 15 credit hours must be at the 300-level or above.
  • With approval, a 499 (v) course and a relevant practicum may be applied toward the certificate.

Are there other requirements?

  • Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall and 3.0 GPA for Undergraduate Certificate on Aging courses.m

Certificate on Aging Courses

Is there a list of approved courses?

  • Yes. See the COA website (https://www.hawaii.edu/aging/) for a list of currently available approved courses.

Are any courses offered online?

  • Yes, many of the approved courses are offered online. Please see the COA website (https://www.hawaii.edu/aging/) for the approved online courses currently available.

Can aging-related courses taken prior to application for the certificate count toward the required 15 credits?

  • Yes.

Can 200-level aging courses count for the undergraduate certificate?

  • Yes, a 200-level course, e.g., IS 205 Introduction to Applied Gerontology, would be acceptable.  UH certificates require 6 credits of upper division courses.

Can graduate-level courses count for the undergraduate certificate?

  • This is decided on a case-by-case basis. Contact Dr. Perkinson, COA director, uhcoa@hawaii.edu for an advising appointment.

Can aging-related courses taken at another university count toward the required 15 credits?

  • These requests will be handled individually. Provide a description of the course taken and transcript evidence of course completion to the Center on Aging. Requests will be carefully considered in light of UH requirements.

Can students count 499 credits toward the certificate?

  • Yes, provided the 499v focus on gerontology and students complete a 499v form and have it signed by the instructor.

Can I take the capstone course before completing all other courses required for the certificate?

  • It is recommended that you complete as many of the required certificate courses as possible prior to taking the capstone course. At minimum, you must have completed at least two courses required for the certificate before you can take the capstone course. Any exceptions should be discussed with the director of COA.

The Undergraduate Certificate on Aging was very recently reinstated. Can courses taken prior to the date of reinstatement be counted toward the certificate?

  • Yes

Can a student who finishes only 12 credits and then graduates come back later and just take one course as an unclassified student to get the certificate? How much later could they come back?

  • Not advised. Time limit to return would be two years.

Certificate Advisors

Can someone help me develop an academic plan?

  • Yes, all students enrolled in the program will meet with the COA director and will be assigned a Certificate on Aging advisor.

How often would students meet with the COA director?

  • Once at the beginning to map out courses and be assigned a certificate advisor
  • Once mid-way through (i.e., after completing 2 or 3 UG Certificate courses)
  • At the end for evaluation and career counseling
  • During the course of certificate training as needed
  • Students will be encouraged to meet with their UG Certificate advisors on a regular basis

May the student select his/her UG Certificate Advisor?

  • A primary UG Certificate Advisor will be assigned from the Center on Aging. Students are welcome to select additional faculty as UG Certificate Advisors. A list of potential advisors is available at the COA. If your choice is not on the list, please contact Dr. Perkinson, uhcoa@hawaii.edu for an advising appointment.  

Graduation

Will certificate participation and completion be reflected on a student’s transcript?

  • Yes. The COA will report your admission to the Undergraduate Certificate on Aging Program and your completion of the certificate to the director of Admissions and Registration, to be noted on your transcript.

What kind of certificate-related diploma will students receive?

  • COA will issue its own certificate-related diploma.