Program Overview
West Chester University's Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is ideal for professionals and students currently working in or seeking training in the field of aging. The 12-credit interdisciplinary program is taught by faculty experts from social work, nursing, health, nutrition, and kinesiology as well as other fields, and includes online coursework. Faculty research interests in gerontology include: end of life care, dementia care, caregiver burden, housing, health equity and disparity, resilience, elder abuse and depression in older adults. West Chester University is a member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). AGHE is the only national membership association with the primary purpose being the advancement of gerontology and geriatrics as a field of study in institutions of higher education.
Program Highlights
Examples of online courses include:
- Social Work with Older Adults
- Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Gero Health and Illness Transitions
- End of Life Care
- Exercise and Older Adults
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Scientific Foundations of Care I
- Global Community Health Promotion
- Approaches to Health Care Delivery
What can I do with this degree?
Graduates of the Gerontology Certificate will gain knowledge to improve the quality of life of older adults in fields such as:
- health care
- gerontological social work
- wellness and fitness
- medical social work
- public administration
- housing
- and more.