Gerontology

College of Health Professions

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Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies

Program at a Glance

15 Credits

Fully online
make your own schedule

Open to everyone

Complete in as little as three semesters

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Our graduate certificate in aging studies will give you a cost-effective competitive edge by teaching in demand, applicable skills to make a difference in people's lives. In only 15 credits, you can graduate prepared to enter the workforce or develop the knowledge and skills needed to advance your career. Join us today and help make meaningful change in today's changing world.

The entire program can be completed online. In other words, you don't have to come to campus to earn your Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies.

You can complete the program as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student. You don’t have to attend VCU to enroll. Current VCU students can complete the certificate alongside their degree program, with aging studies courses also counting for their required electives. Individuals not attending VCU and current VCU students are all welcome to apply.

We connect students with employers throughout the program and after graduation. VCU Gerontology has a strong, positive relationship with the wider community, including a vast network of alumni and employers, which provides students with many opportunities for networking, learning, engaging and applying knowledge and skills acquired from courses.

Geriatric Care Management Concentration

VCU Gerontology offers a 15-credit certificate for qualified individuals seeking a Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies with a concentration in Geriatric Care Management.

Students seeking certification in Geriatric Care Management must meet the following criteria:

  1. have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following: a related field in health care, rehabilitation, gerontology, health care administration, case management or law (with the exception of nurses and paralegals)
  2. have at least one year of clinical experience in the field of gerontology to include – patient/client interviews, client assessment, care plan development and informal services, referral of formal and informal services, administration of a healthcare facility or work in elder care law.

The Gerontology Courses included in this certificate program are:

  • GRTY 601 - Biological and Physiological Aging
  • GRTY 602 - Psychology of Aging
  • GRTY 603 - Social Gerontology
  • GRTY 606 - Aging and Human Values
  • GRTY 626 - Geriatric Care Management

Curious if you're eligible? Contact Annie Rhodes at rhodesas2@vcu.edu to learn more.

Student Learning Outcomes

Connect Gerontological Theory to Practice: Students will demonstrate a holistic theoretical understanding of adult development and elderhood from a biological, psychological, social and spiritual perspective and the ability to apply this knowledge to aging, using a strengths-based lifespan orientation.

Integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Gerontological Practice: Students will demonstrate knowledge of how discrimination, oppression and marginalization based on age and intersectional identities impacts health and longevity. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to shape positive attitudes about aging and elderhood.

Develop Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving using gerontological research to evaluate best-practice approaches and the effectiveness of policies and services that support elders, their family members and the community.

Uphold Professional and Ethical Standards: Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in an on-going self-reflective process of their professional gerontological practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to uphold professional standards through individually and collaboratively applying ethical decision making processes.

Identify and Respond to Community Need: Students will demonstrate knowledge of Older Adult Services and will be able to make contributions to community identified needs through the successful delivery of services and effective communication with elders, their families, the community and the public. Community engagement will take the form of field work, research, grant writing, experiential learning opportunities, education and training.

Program Goals