Gerontology Certificate

The Gerontology Certificate Program at Utah State University is administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Opportunities & Careers

What can a Gerontology Certificate do for me?

A gerontology certificate can open doors to new opportunities in the growing field of aging services. Here's how:

• Required Qualification: Some employers require a gerontology certificate for specific positions.
• Competitive Advantage: Having a certificate can give you an edge over other candidates, potentially leading to higher starting salaries.
• Growing Demand: As gerontology programs become more popular, so does the demand for certified professionals.

Where can you work?

The Gerontology Certificate prepares you for diverse career paths, including:

• Healthcare Services: Hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospice and home health care, community-based care
• Program Management: Program planning and evaluation, management and administration
• Social Services: Advocacy, education and training, research, legal services, social work
• Senior Wellness: Mental health services, geropsychiatry, counseling, music therapy, leisure and recreation (senior centers, exercise therapy, activities coordination)

Certificate Requirements

Coursework for Certificate

• Required Courses (9 credits): These core courses provide a strong foundation in human development, adult development and aging, and social and family gerontology. You can also choose a course in community nutrition.
  • HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS) (3 credits)
  • HDFS 3540 - Adult Development and Aging (3 credits)
  • HDFS 4240 - Social and Family Gerontology (3 credits)
    OR NDFS 3080 - Community Nutrition (Prerequisite: NDFS 1020) (3 credits)
• Gain Real-World Experience & Integrate Your Knowledge:
  • Practicum (3 credits): Apply your classroom learning in a hands-on setting. Complete 150 hours working with older adults in assisted living facilities, senior centers, or other relevant organizations.
  
  
  • • HDFS 4970 - Gerontology Practicum 3 credit(s) application required
  • Integration Paper (1 credit): Culminate your studies by writing an 8-10-page paper integrating your academic knowledge and practical experience.

• • • HDFS 4940 - Gerontology Integration 1 credit(s)

• Elective Courses (6 credits): Tailor your studies to your interests by selecting electives from a range of approved courses across various departments.
  • BIOL 3100 - Bioethics (CI) 3 credit(s)
  • FIN 5070 - Retirement Planning 3 credit(s)
  • FIN 5080 - Estate Planning 3 credit(s)
  • HDFS 3350 - Family Finance (DSS) 3 credit(s)
  • HEP 3600 - Introduction to Community and Public Health (CI) 3 credit(s)
  • NDFS 2020 - Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle 3 credit(s)
  • NDFS 3040 - Nutrition Assessment 3 credit(s)
  • NDFS 5200 - Nutritional Epidemiology 3 credit(s)
  • PHIL 1120 - Social Ethics (BHU) 3 credit(s)
  • PHIL 3500 - Healthcare Ethics (DHA) 3 credit(s)
  • PUBH 3120 - Family and Community Health 3 credit(s)
  • REH 1010 - Disability and Society (BSS) 3 credit(s)
  • SOC 3200 - Population and Society (DSS) 3 credit(s)
  • SOC 3330 - Medical Sociology (DSS) 3 credit(s)
  • SOC 5460 - Sociology of Health 3 credit(s)
  • SPED 1010 - Disability and Society (BSS) 3 credit(s)
  • SW 4525 - Aging in the 21st Century 3 credit(s)

Certificate Timeline

• Apply to USU (if not a current student).
• Complete coursework, (required & electives). 
• Write & submit Integrative Paper (HDFS 4940, 1 credit).
• Apply for Practicum (HDFS 4970, 3 credits). 
• Apply for Graduation. 
  • Submit Graduation Application at the beginning of your graduating semester.
    • Fall: October 31
    • Spring: February 28
    • Summer July 15

Additional Resources:

Practical Experience (3 credits) 

• HDFS 4970 - Gerontology Practicum (3 credits):
  • Practicum Coordinator - Kevin Barlow
  • 150 hours working with/on behalf of older adults (volunteer or paid).
  • Choose your placement facility (not limited to Logan, Utah).
    • Examples: Assisted Living, Senior Centers, Agency on Aging, Hospice, Rehabilitation.
  • Practicum application deadlines:
    • HDFS Majors: follow HDFS Practicum deadlines.
    • Non-HDFS majors: Ensure background checks and required materials are approved at least 6 weeks before the desired practicum semester. Due to processing delays, earlier submission is recommended.
  • See Practicum Handbook for details.

Integrative Paper (1 credit)

• HDFS 4940 - Gerontology Integration (1 credit)
  
  • Permission required (email Laura Holley during registration period). 
  • 8- 10-page paper integrating academic knowledge & practical experiences in the field.
  • Work one-on-one with Gerontology Certificate Faculty Mentor Yin Liu. 

Graduation Application:

• Semester of Graduation:
  
  • Apply for Graduation through the Registrar's office.
  • Graduation Application Deadlines: 
    • Fall: October 31
    • Spring: February 28
    • Summer July 15
• After Graduation: Check your transcript. 

Advisor Contact

Faculty Mentors