| Certificate in Gerontology
Ithaca College offers a 24-credit undergraduate, nondegree certificate in gerontology that follows the guidelines of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and is registered with the New York State Education Department. Overseen by both the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute and the Division of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, the gerontology certificate is available to extramural students only. Students admitted into this program are eligible for a grant to offset part of the tuition costs of courses included in the certificate curriculum. The gerontology certificate is designed to provide professionals in the health and social services, as well as other interested individuals, with specialized knowledge of gerontological issues that will help them better understand and serve older adults. Students completing this program will enhance their knowledge and skills in a number of areas including
- individual and social aspects of the aging process
- causes and consequences of problems experienced by older persons
- provision of services to older persons through a variety of professional disciplines
- provision of services and programs that promote the health and independence of older persons
- communication with older persons and among health care professionals
- organizational management and administration in a variety of residential environments
The gerontology certificate curriculum includes 24 credits taken from five sections. Most of these courses have minimal prerequisites. The full curriculum is shown below.
Curriculum
Core — required courses (6 credits)
| 780-101000 |
Introduction to Aging Studies (3) |
| 780-29010 |
Fieldwork in Gerontology (3) |
Disciplinary perspectives (select 6 credits)
| 303-20500 |
Biology of Aging (3) |
| 330-36600 |
Psychology of Aging (3) |
| 339-34000 |
Aging and Culture (3) |
| 331-22000 OR |
Sociology of Aging (3) OR |
| 780-22000 |
Sociology of Aging (3) |
Health aspects electives (select 3 to 6 credits)
| 620-24900 |
Hearing Loss in the Elderly (3) |
| 620-35900 |
Communication Disorders in the Aging Population (3) |
| 670-20200 |
Rehabilitation for Older Adults (1) |
| 662-24000 |
Health Promotion and the Older Adult (3) |
| 662-32200 |
Nutrition for the Older Adult (3) |
Social aspects electives (select 3 to 6 credits)
| 554-41100 |
Creative Musical Experience with Older Adults (3) |
| 661-23800 |
Leisure and Aging (3) |
| 780-32100 |
Interdisciplinary Initiatives in Rural Geriatrics (3) |
| 780-32500 |
The Long-Term Care System (3) (counts only for one group) |
| 780-33000 |
Research Methods in Gerontology (3) |
| 780-38900 |
Selected Topics in Applied Gerontology (3) |
| 780-39900 |
Selected Topics in Social Gerontology (3) |
Administration and policy issues (select 3 credits)
| 780-31900 |
Aging and Social Policy (3) |
| 780-32500 |
The Long-Term Care System (3) (counts only for one group) |
| 780-41400 |
Long-Term Care Services Administration (3) |
| 640-49500 |
Special Topics in Health Administration (1–3) |
For further information regarding the program’s admission requirements and curriculum, contact:
In addition, information is available in the Ithaca College undergraduate catalog on the certificate in gerontology and all other academic programs at the College. |
