Program Overview

Foundations in Gerontology (Graduate Certificate)

The Foundations in Gerontology (Graduate Certificate) program is designed to enhance expertise in aging and elder care, providing students with the skills to address the unique needs of older adults. This program prepares students to become competitive applicants for positions that prioritize gerontology.

Program Description

The need for students trained to work with older adults is great, and this program develops foundational knowledge to understand and work successfully with the elderly. The program includes attending to their mental health needs and providing the best services possible.

At a Glance

• College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
• Location: Downtown Phoenix
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 9 credit hours, including:

• Required Core (6 credit hours)
  • SWG 570 Aging in Perspective (3)
  • SWG 571 Mental Health Aspects of Aging (3)
• Other Requirements (3 credit hours)
  • SWG 573 Policies to Promote Healthy Aging
  • SWG 591 Topic: Aging in Context (3)
• Additional Curriculum Information For other requirements coursework, students choose to take three credit hours of SWG 573 or SWG 591. The approved topic is Aging in Context. Other requirements coursework can be substituted with department approval. Students can choose to count three credit hours of an internship or practicum placement in a setting that works with older adults.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
• Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, nursing, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, law, public health, counseling, public administration, audiology, recreational therapy, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Applicants are required to submit:
  1. graduate admissions application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. unofficial transcripts
  4. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: Session | Modality | Deadline | Type
  • Session A/C | In Person | | Rolling

Career Opportunities

Earning a foundations in gerontology microcertificate opens diverse career opportunities in a variety of fields, including:

• advocating for policies and programs that promote well-being in older adults
• conducting research
• coordinating care for older adults in case management
• developing and managing programs for senior centers and nonprofits
• managing retirement communities or assisted living facilities
• overseeing and improving care facilities and services
• promoting healthy aging practices and preventative care
• specializing in retirement and estate planning for older adults
• supporting older adults and their families
• working in physical or occupational therapy with a focus on older adults

Program Fields

The program is related to fields such as administration, gerontology, health care, human services, policy, psychology, social work, therapy, and aging.