Gerontology Institute

John A. Krout, Professor and Director
Pamela S. Mayberry, Associate Director and Academic Program Coordinator

For full faculty listing, see
Faculty and Administration

The Ithaca College Gerontology Institute promotes and supports research, curriculum development, continuing education, community service, and creative arts activities that incorporate a focus on aging. A primary goal of the institute is to provide opportunities for students to learn about aging and careers in gerontology through courses, internships, volunteer activities, and involvement in research projects and professional organizations.

Ithaca College enjoys a partnership with Longview, a residential facility for older adults located very close to campus. This partnership, designed to be mutually beneficial for Ithaca College students and Longview residents, is coordinated and supported by the Gerontology Institute. Longview residents take courses and participate in cultural events at the College. Ithaca College students are involved at Longview through course projects, internships, volunteer opportunities, and special programs (such as an intergenerational choir) sponsored by student organizations. The institute also houses the Linden Center for Creativity and Aging, which provides support for faculty and student explorations of how involvement in creative activities affects health and well-being in later life and how aging can bring with it new forms of creativity. Particular emphasis is given to the performing arts and hands-on student projects. In addition, the institute has incorporated service-learning activities in a number of its aging studies courses, providing additional opportunities for experiential learning integrated with course study.

The Gerontology Institute supports faculty research and especially encourages projects that involve students in the research process. Students from a variety of majors have gained valuable research experience through many different research projects. Ithaca College students have conducted interviews with older adults, worked with faculty on data analysis, and presented papers at professional meetings as part of their involvement in gerontology research projects.

The Gerontology Institute administers the aging studies major and minor, offers support to faculty members who wish to incorporate information about aging in their courses, invites gerontology scholars to campus to meet with students and faculty, and provides an important link with state and national professional gerontology organizations. The institute also collaborates with the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies to oversee the Certificate in Gerontology, a 24-credit program for professionals or community members.

Aging Studies
Certificate in Gerontology

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 Graduate and Professional Studies, 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; and
• 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

Disciplinary perspectives

Select 6 credits from the following:

Health aspects electives

Select 3-6 credits from the following:

Social aspects electives

Select 3-6 credits from the following:

Administration and policy issues

Select 3 credits from the following:

Summary

For further information regarding the program's admission requirements and curriculum, contact the Gerontology Institute, 607-274-1965, e-mail aging@ithaca.edu.