Gerontology Certificate program

The population of those age 65 and over in the U.S. is growing.

This group is predicted to increase from 13 % to 20 % of the country's residents by 2030. Shifting demographics means an increased demand for individuals with training and experience working with older adults and aging issues in almost every field.

UWL's Gerontology Certificate is a multi-disciplinary program designed to assist students planning to enter fields directly involving older persons, and it is open to undergraduate students in any major. The study of gerontology will also help students to prepare for their own aging process and experiences with aging in their personal and professional lives.

Undergrad certificate

A program within the Psychology Department

Gerontology definition

Gerontology is the study of aging. Aging is a multifaceted human experience that begins at birth. Every individual undergoes changes in their social lives, cognitive health, emotional responses, and physical bodies as they develop. At UWL, Gerontology offered as a certificate, meaning this topic can be interwoven with any academic area of interest that a student majors in such as economics, exercise and sport science, health education and promotion, philosophy, political science, psychology, therapeutic recreation, or sociology.

I have met some amazing people in nursing homes, workout classes and health professions through Gerontology Club! I feel connected to the La Crosse community and enjoy hearing their stories. The Gerontology emphasis plays an important part in my future career in healthcare.

Nicole Popp

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Gerontology jobs

Because of the breadth of gerontology, students need the skills and knowledge of a traditional major and then apply those skills to the field of aging. Jobs depend upon the major field completed.

For instance, students may leave campus with a degree in therapeutic recreation plus the gerontology certificate and obtain employment working directly with older adults in therapeutic recreation. Others use their degrees to work in research, planning, management of services, or may have more indirect contact with older adults through policy development. Some pursue advanced degrees with a gerontological focus including, but not limited to a doctoral degree, master's in business, law degree, occupational therapy or physical therapy degree. Jobs could include:

Positions

Public policy professionals
Business professionals (accountants, economists, business managers/marketers, nursing care center administrators, advertisers)
Healthcare professionals (nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physician assistants, therapeutic recreation specialists)
Psychologists/counselors, social workers
Legal professionals, attorneys
Journalists
Health educators
Medical ethicists
Physical educators
Researchers
Urban planners

What distinguishes UWL's Gerontology program?

Student involvement in Gerontology Club

The Gerontology Certificate is supported by the student-run gerontology club, providing additional experience, learning and networking for students, with opportunities to interact with the greater community.

Program flexibility

The Gerontology Certificate is cross-disciplinary and flexible, enhancing career readiness. The emphasis includes 15 credits of coursework. At least six credits must be taken from the core and the nine remaining credits can be selected from the core, supportive courses, or other gerontology-related coursework, such as internships, approved by program coordinators.

Unique program

The Gerontology Certificate is one of a limited number of Gerontology programs in Wisconsin.

Age-friendly university designation

UWL has been designated as an Age-Friendly University — the first university in the state to attain the designation. The Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative is an international effort led by Dublin City University to highlight the role higher education can play in responding to the challenges and opportunities associated with an aging population.

Growing field

The Gerontology Certificate prepares students for careers and life in a rapidly changing world, impacted by shifting demographics. An aging population means increased demand for individuals with training and experience working with older adults and aging issues in almost every field. Examples include advertising, health and fitness, health economics, human services, law, management, and public policy.

Sample courses

HED 473 Health Aspects of Aging An exploration of the lifelong aging process and an examination of health factors affecting the elderly. Emphasis is given to the changes in a variety of health areas including, but not limited to, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, long-term care, sexuality, and death, dying and grief. The course will also include a service-learning component. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

PSY 358 Adulthood An overview of the 'journey of adulthood' including both continuity and change. It introduces students to major historical and theoretical perspectives on adult development as well as primary methodological techniques for studying adult development. It examines milestones and transitions in traditional developmental domains (physical, cognitive and social and emotional) and explores individual responses and adjustments to these experiences. Prerequisite: PSY 212 or gerontology emphasis. Offered Annually.

SOC 303 Generations and Age in the Social World This course focuses on the many ways that society and age interrelate, and emphasizes gerontology. It examines sociological perspectives on the life course, particularly how historical context, timing, linked lives, and agency shape socialization and life chances, from youth to old age, through birth cohorts (e.g., Millennials; Baby Boomers). Specific social factors we will examine include: the social meanings of age; socialization into an age group; age discrimination and stereotypes; media representations of age; macro-level demographic changes; and social issues, policies, and controversies relevant to age. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or SOC 120 or SOC 202 or PSY 100 or ANT 101. Offered Alternate Years.

CST 339 Communication and Aging This course will examine existing and emerging research within communication and aging studies and emphasize an interpersonal life-span approach toward understanding the social interaction that occurs in later life. Issues that affect older people such as work, leisure, retirement, media use, health, death and dying and family and personal relationships will be explored. Barriers such as sight, hearing, cognitive impairments, memory, language and touch will be examined as they affect older adults when communicating with others. This course will offer both a theoretical and applied perspective to aging and communication. Students also will learn how to be an advocate for older adults who are unable to care for themselves. Prerequisite: CST 110. Offered Occasionally.

ESS 443 Fitness Across the Lifespan This course will explore why and how physical activity must change to meet the modifications that occur in the human body as it matures from childhood to older adulthood. Students will address the principles and procedures for designing physical fitness experiences for all ages. Lecture, practice, and field experiences are included. Prerequisite: ESS 302; ESS 303; admission to exercise sports science - exercise science emphasis or a declared emphasis in gerontology. Offered Fall, Spring.