Gerontology Certificate

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Program: Certificate
Communication Sciences and Disorders
College of Science

Clinic and Classroom Bldg 111 ~ 260-481-6410
Program Director: Christopher M. Grindrod

A certificate in Gerontology is available to all Purdue University Fort Wayne students earning undergraduate degrees. It is also available as a stand-alone program. The multidisciplinary program provides basic academic courses on aging, as well as applied courses on health and social issues involving older adults. A practicum component involves applied work in a setting serving older individuals. The Gerontology Certificate is comprised of 18 credits. The required 3 credit introductory course provides a foundation in biological, psychological, social, and applied aspects of aging. An additional 12 credits are chosen by the student from a variety of disciplinary courses relevant to gerontology. The final 3 credit requirement is a practicum that involves applied work in a setting serving older individuals. The certificate can be earned and awarded independent of other degree(s).

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this certificate, students will:

demonstrate knowledge of gerontology including but not limited to biological, social, and psychological issues that impact older adults and those who work with and care for them.
demonstrate knowledge of the basic study of aging in several disciplines, complementary areas such as nutrition and medical ethics, and applications dealing with health and social issues involving older adults.
demonstrate the ability to apply gerontological knowledge, through a practicum experience in which the student works with, or on behalf of, older adults in a campus, community, or agency setting that serves this population.

Declaring this Certificate:

Declare this certificate through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Program Requirements:

Meet all regular Purdue Fort Wayne admission requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.00 or higher is required for graduation
A grade of C- or higher in each course required for the certificate
At least 9 credits must be earned as resident credit
To be entered into the program, you must meet with one of the Gerontology advisors who will approve your program of study

To earn the Gerontology certificate, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those noted above:

Program Required Course: Credits 3

GERN 23100 - Introduction To Gerontology Cr. 3.

Supporting Courses: Credits 12

Students may petition for permission to count an independent or directed studies course with appropriate content (including a variable title course not on this list).

BIOL 32700 - Biology Of Aging Cr. 3.
COM 31000 - Family Communication Cr. 3.
COM 31300 - Introduction To Health Communication Cr. 3.
CSD 43000 - Speech-Language Disorders In Healthcare Settings Cr. 3.
NUTR 30200 - Nutrition Education Cr. 3. or
NUTR 30300 - Essentials Of Nutrition Cr. 3.
GERN 49900 - Topics In Gerontology Cr. 1-6.
MUSC 34001 - Music Therapy In Healthcare Cr. 3.
MUSC 41003 - Creative Arts, Health, And Wellness Cr. 3.
PHIL 31200 - Medical Ethics Cr. 3.
PSY 36700 - Adult Development And Aging Cr. 3.
PSY 37100 - Death And Dying Cr. 3.
SOC 31401 - Social Aspects Of Health And Medicine Cr. 3.

Practicum in an Approved Gerontological Setting: Credits 3

Approval by a Gerontology advisor is required. The setting must involve, or relate to, individuals 60 years of age or older. You may choose either a practicum or internship course offered by a department, or the gerontology program practicum course (GERN 49400) if you are an interdisciplinary student or are pursuing only the Gerontology Certificate. Approved courses are indicated below. Note that some of these courses may be taken only by those majoring in the sponsoring discipline.

COM 49000 - Internship In Communication Cr. 1-3.
CSD 39900 - Directed Study In Audiology And Speech Sciences Cr. 1-3.
CSD 54900 - Clinical Practice In Speech/Language Pathology I Cr. 1-8.
GERN 49400 - Gerontology Practicum Cr. 3.
HSRV 40000 - Internship I Cr. 1-4.
HSRV 40100 - Internship Seminar I Cr. 1.
HSRV 45000 - Internship II Cr. 2-4.
HSRV 45100 - Internship Seminar II Cr. 1.
HTM 30100 - Hospitality And Tourism Industry Practice Cr. 1.
HTM 30200 - Hospitality And Tourism Industry Internship Cr. 1 or 2.
MUSC 35300 - Music Therapy Practicum II Cr. 1.
MUSC 42300 - Advanced Music Therapy Practicum Cr. 1-3.
MUSC 42400 - Music Therapy Internship Cr. 1.
PHIL 48000 - Practicum In Applied Ethics Cr. 3.
POL 39800 - Internship In Urban Institutions Cr. 1-6.
POL 48200 - Practicum Cr. 1-6.
PPOL 38001 - Internship - Public Affairs Cr. 0-6.
PSY 48000 - Field Experience In Psychology Cr. 3.

Total Credits: 18

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.