The School of Aging Studies has initiated several certificate programs designed to supplement its existing BA, BS, MA and Ph.D. offerings.  These programs are designed to serve the needs of persons interested in gerontology, but not seeking a degree in this area of study.  These courses are all offered at night and can be completed on a part-time basis. The certificates that are available include:

• The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
• The Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Social Work/Clinical Gerontology
• The Graduate Certificate in Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of Life Studies

Student Handbook for Graduate programs in Gerontology

Additional admissions information is available

New Masters in Science Program Available

The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Graduate Certificates in Gerontology requires 18 credit hours.  However, students who already have a graduate degree, or who are enrolled in a USF graduate program, are eligible to complete the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology with only 15 credit hours.

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Social Work/Clinical Gerontology is designed to provide clinicians with practical knowledge necessary to serve older adults. This program provides specialized, clinically relevant training to persons working with or interested in working with older adults in various clinical settings including long-term care facilities, mental health centers, counseling agencies, hospitals, and other settings concerned with the physical and emotional well-being of older adults. Building on the basic knowledge of the person's current or previous graduate education, this certificate provides the student with courses which enhance their understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of the aging process.

This post-baccalaureate certificate, offered jointly with the School of Social Work, consists of 15 hours of required course work.

Admission Requirements

• A graduate degree in Social Work, Gerontology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Speech and Hearing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, or a related clinical or applied field, or active enrollment in or admission to a graduate program in one of these areas.
• Courses taken as part of this certificate can be applied as electives in either the MSW program at USF or the M.A. in Gerontology. Permission is being sought from other departments to allow courses in this certificate to be applied to their graduate programs as well.

Program Requirements

• Total program hours: 15 credit hours.
• Students must take courses from each of the three groupings listed below:
  one course from Section A,
  two courses from Section B, and
  two courses from Section C.
  
  Section A -- Issues in Aging

• GEY 5620 - Sociological Aspects of Aging (3)
• GEY 6600 - Human Development (3)
• GEY 6934 - Biopsychosocial Aspects of Aging (3)
  
  Section B -- Counseling the Older Adult
  
• GEY 6617 - Gerontological Counseling & Theories (3)
• GEY 6934 - Gerontological Case Management (3)
• GEY 6934 - Alzheimer's Disease Management (3)
  
  Section C -- Assessment of the Older Adult
  
• GEY 6614 - Psychopathology and Aging (3)
• GEY 6616 - Mental Health Assessment of Older Adults (3)
• GEY 6934 - Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Treatments (3)

Only courses officially recognized by the program will be credited toward the Certificate.

Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Social Work/Clinical Gerontology

The Graduate Certificate in Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care

In concert with the Center for Hospice, Palliative and End-of-Life Care Studies at the University of South Florida, this certificate is designed to provide knowledge related to the care of patients and families facing advanced noncurable diseases. While this certificate is housed in the College of Nursing and the School of Aging Studies, the certificate is open to all graduate students and health care professionals working in or interested in the area of hospice and palliative care. All faculty who teach the certificate courses are affiliated with the Center and represent many different colleges and departments at USF, such as Nursing, Public Health, Aging Studies, Geriatric Medicine, Psychiatry and Social Work. Guest lectures are provided by expert clinicians in the field from agencies such as LifePath Hospice and The Hospice of Florida SunCoast. It should be noted that this certificate does not imply certification of clinical competency.

Total program hours: 12 credit hours

Required course:

• GEY 5642 Perspectives on Death and Dying

3 elective courses selected from the list below.

• GEY 6934 Family Caregiving in Aging and Chronic Illness
• GEY 6934 Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training
• NGR 6096 Oncology Nursing Concepts
• NGR 6931 Counseling for the Terminally III
• NGR 6930 Research Seminar in Palliative and Hospice Care

Other courses available on campus may be taken with permission of the academic advisors. Advising will be provided by Dr. Susan McMillan (Nursing) and Dr. William Haley (Aging Studies).

Only courses officially recognized by the program will be credited toward the Certificate .

Graduate Certificate in Hospice, Palliative Care and End of Life Studies

Additional Admissions Information:

You may obtain more information about the Graduate or Advanced Graduate Certificates in Gerontology by calling 813-974-2414 or writing to:

School of Aging Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
4202 East Fowler Avenue , MHC 1300
Tampa , FL   33620
Or email Ms. Amy Woodbury at amwoodbu@cas.usf.edu
Or online information visit: http://www.outreach.usf.edu/gradcerts/