Certificate Requirements

Program on Gerontology

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Gerontology Core Courses (10 hours)

  • HDFS 314 Adult Development and Aging (4)

Any two of the following selected from two different departments:

  • H 422/522 Control of Chronic Disease (3)
  • NUTR 325 Nutrition Through the Life Cycle (3)
  • PSY 350 Human Lifespan Development (4)
  • SOC 432 Sociology of Aging (3)

 

Field study or field projects in Gerontology - Any Department (3 - 6 hours)

310, 401, 406 , 410

Field study is a vital component of the Gerontology Certificate program. Three to six hours of an approved field experience or an approved research or field project are required. No more than six hours of field study will count toward certificate completion. Field experience or internships involve professional level work experience in an agency or organization that serves older adults. To be considered a gerontology field placement, at least half of the student's time must be spent working with or for older individuals.

Ordinarily, nine hours of gerontology coursework must be completed prior to beginning field study. Specific requirements for field study are cooperatively developed by the faculty supervisor, student and a community agency. The type of field study selected should reflect the student's career interests, as well as the student's competencies and the community agency's needs.

Field study in gerontology must be approved by the Program on Gerontology if it is to be used to meet Certificate requirements. Approval forms are available from the Program on Gerontology.

 

Electives from list of approved Gerontology Classes (12 - 15 hours)

Twelve to 15 hours of gerontology electives are required beyond the gerontology core to complete the minimum of 27 credit hours of gerontology study. A list of courses approved for electives appears below.

  • H 320 Introduction to Human Disease (3)
  • H 422/522 Health, Aging and Control of Chronic Diseases (4)
  • H 432/532 Economic Issues in Health and Medical Care (3)
  • H 436 Advanced Topics in Health Care Management (3)
  • H 536 Health Care Organization Theory and Behavior (3)
  • H 458/558 Reimbursement Mechanisms (3)
  • H 465/565 Public Health & Woman: Social & Policy Issues (3)
  • H 467/567 Long-Term Care Alternatives (3)
  • H 468/568 Financing & Administration of Long-Term Care (3)
  • H 476 Planning and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs (4)
  • H 576 Program Planning/Proposal Writing in Health/Human Services (4)
  • HDFS 314 Adult Development and Aging (4)
  • HDFS 461 Program Development and Proposal Writing (4)
  • HDFS 462 Skills for Human Services Professionals (4)
  • HDFS 465/565 Topics (3)
  • HDFS 518 Adult Development & Aging (4)
  • HDFS 519 The Life course (4)
  • HDFS 587 Social Gerontology (3)
  • HDFS 617 Advanced Topics in Adult Development & Aging (3)
  • KIN 434 Applied Muscle Physiology (3)
  • KIN 437 Physical Activity, Aging, and Chronic Disease (4)
  • NUTR 312 Issues in Nutrition and Health (3)
  • NUTR 325 Nutrition Through the Life Cycle (3)
  • NUTR 423/NUTR 523 Community Nutrition (4)
  • PHL 444/544 Biomedical Ethics (4)
  • PHL 455/555 Death & Dying (3)
  • PSY 350 Human Lifespan Development (4)
  • SOC 355 Death and Dying (4)
  • SOC 432/532 Sociology of Aging (3)

 

Additional Requirements

  1. A grade of "C" or better in all gerontology courses. Overall cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  2. Formal application to the Program. Forms are available from the Program on Gerontology Office.
  3. Certificate requirements must be fulfilled within five years following graduation from OSU. Students who have not completed all certificate requirements at the time their degrees are conferred may continue to work as a special post-baccalaureate, or graduate student.

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