As society enters into the twenty-first century, the elderly - those aged 65 and over - comprise the most rapidly growing segment of our population. To address the special needs of this segment of the population, the College of Health and Human Services offers the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. The Certificate curriculum acknowledges the role of biological, psychological, and social influences on older adults' well-being, and provides students with knowledge of how these factors interact to influence the aging process. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach, the curriculum prepares students to assist older adults and their families in meeting the challenges of later life.

Regardless of a student's career goals, the 15 semester hour Certificate Program provides knowledge of gerontology applicable to all business, professional, and personal situations involving older adults and their families. The Certificate Program is appropriate for professionals who occupy positions in agencies and institutions which directly administer and deliver services to the older population, but who have not received recent formal training in gerontology; for students pursuing academic and / or research careers which focus on the older population; and for students who anticipate their chosen profession will bring them into contact with older adults.

Students may enroll only in the Certificate Program, or may complete the Certificate in conjunction with a graduate degree at the University.
The faculty of the Gerontology Program at Bowling Green State University represent a cross-section of social science degrees in Family Science, Psychology, and Sociology. The faculty have experience in theoretical and applied gerontology through a wide array of agencies and institutions. The gerontology faculty at Bowling Green have experience in the administration of senior housing and long-term care, senior citizen centers, adult day care centers, research institutes, and other gerontological settings.

Prerequisites to Graduate Work

Formal training in gerontology is not a prerequisite to admission. Individuals currently enrolled in graduate degree programs at the University and those whose occupations bring them into contact with older adults are eligible to apply to the Certificate Program.

Admission Procedure

Applicants seeking admission to the Certificate Program should follow the university's instructions outlined in the "Graduate Admission."
In addition to the application required by the Graduate College, applicants to the Certificate Program must submit: 1) three letters of recommendation from recent instructors, employers, or other individuals qualified to evaluate probable success in the program; 2) a statement of intent delineating the purpose for enrolling in the program; and 3) a personal statement outlining short and long term career goals. Careful attention is given to the personal statement accompanying the application. These three items need to be submitted to the gerontology certificate coordinator.

Certificate Requirements

Students must complete 15 semester hours of approved courses to earn the Certificate. No internship is required for the Certificate. Students must complete the 9 hour core comprised of GERO 601: Current Perspectives in Aging; GERO 602: Aging and Health; and BIOL 631: Biology of Aging.

Students are encouraged to select remaining courses to build the certificate to their professional needs by working with the Gerontology Program and other departments. Suggested courses comprising the remaining 6 hours may include additional courses offered by the Gerontology Program, such as Federal, State and Local Programs in Aging; Aging and the Family; GERO 684: Independent Study; and GERO 690: Independent Research. Suggested courses from other departments includ, but are not limited to, CDIS 605: Communication Disorders and Aging; F&N 536: Nutrition for the Aged; AHE 680: Relationships in Later Life; HMSL 628 Planning Leisure Lifestyles; PHIL 721: Professional Ethics; and PSYC 737: Mental Health and Aging.

For more information, contact:
Nancy Orel, Ph.D.
223 Health Center
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(419) 372-7768
norel@bgnet.bgsu.edu