Gerontology Certificate (CERT)	Print Version
	College of Health and Human Sciences | Human Development and Family Sciences | Interdisciplinary Program Detail

Karen Hooker, Director
Program on Gerontology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-5102
541-737-4992
E-mail: geroprog@oregonstate.edu
Web site: http://www.hhs.oregonstate.edu/hdfs/osu-program-gerontology

Undergraduate Certificate Program

Graduate Programs

Area of Concentration
Gerontology

The Program on Gerontology offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of aging. Because aging involves physiological, sociological and psychological processes, gerontology education and research is relevant to many disciplines. Career opportunities in gerontology are extremely diverse and include positions in community services, health sciences, nutrition and dietetics, housing, health and physical education, pharmacy, counseling, health care administration, business, public policy, and many other arenas.

Recognizing the diversity of relevant disciplines and career opportunities, the OSU Program on Gerontology offers course work in gerontology through 11 departments. The program is administered through the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences.

To be considered a gerontology course, at least 50 percent of the course content must address gerontology-related issues.

Gerontology courses include:

AHE 578. Adult Development and Learning (3)
DHE 435/DHE 535. Housing Policy (3)
EXSS 414. Physical Activity and Aging (3)
H 422/H 522. Health, Aging and Control of Chronic Diseases (4)
H 432/H 532. Economic Issues in Health and Medical Care (3)
H 436/H 536. Health Services Administration and Management (3)
H 458. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (3)
H 465. *Public Health and Women: Social and Policy Issues (3)
H 565. *Public Health and Women: Social and Policy Issues (3)
H 467/H 567. Long-Term Care Alternatives (3)
H 468/H 568. Financing and Administration of Long-Term Care (3)
H 536. Health Care Organization Theory and Behavior (3)
H 576. Program Planning/Proposal Writing in Health/Human Services (4)
HDFS 314. Adult Development and Aging (4)
HDFS 465/HDFS 565. Topics in Human Development and Family Sciences (3)
HDFS 587. Social Gerontology (3)
HDFS 617. Advanced Topics in Adult Development and Aging (3)
NUTR 420/NUTR 520. Medical Nutrition Therapy (5)
NUTR 429/NUTR 529. Nutrition and Aging (3)
PHL 444/PHL 544. *Biomedical Ethics (4)
PHL 455H/PHL 555. Death and Dying (3)
PSY 350. Human Lifespan Development (3)
SOC 432/SOC 532. Sociology of Aging (3)
Note: Other courses are approved annually by the Gerontology Program.

In addition to gerontology courses, seminars, field study (310/410/510/610), research (401/501/601), and projects (406/506/606) in gerontology are offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). Field study, research, and projects in gerontology may also be available through other departments. Students register for field study, research, or projects credit in the department that best meets their needs for supervision given the nature of the experience.

GRADUATE STUDY IN GERONTOLOGY

1. Adult development and aging may be selected as an area of concentration for both master's and doctoral degrees in Human Development and Family Studies. Students choosing this concentration will select adult development and aging course work and research in their major as well as choose an integrated minor in gerontology.
2. Gerontology is an integrated minor (i.e., courses chosen from a variety of departments) available to graduate students in any major field. The minor requires 18-36 credits, including HDFS 587, Social Gerontology. The balance of the course work is selected from graduate gerontology courses, field study, and/or research.
3. Gerontology is an area of study in the Master's of Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program. MAIS students are required to take a minimum of 15 credits in gerontology, including HDFS 587, Social Gerontology. The balance of courses is selected from graduate gerontology courses, field study, and/or research.
4. A Master's of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in gerontology is offered jointly by the Department of Public Health and the Program on Gerontology.

CERTIFICATE CURRICULUM

The Certificate in Gerontology requires 27 credits and includes a required core through which students study aging as an interactive process of physical, social, and psychological forces.

Gerontology Core (9 credits)

Any two of the following selected from two different departments (6):
DHE 434/DHE 534. Housing the Aging Population (3)
H 422/H 522. Health, Aging and Control of Chronic Diseases (4)
NFM 429/NFM 529. Nutrition and Aging (3)
PSY 350. Human Lifespan Development (3)
SOC 432/SOC 532. Sociology of Aging (3)

Field Study or Field Projects in Gerontology (3–6)

Approved Gerontology Electives (12–15)

Additional Requirements

1. A grade of "C" or better in all gerontology courses. Overall GPA of 2.5.
2. Formal application to the program; forms available from the program office, 321 Milam Hall.
3. Certificate requirements fulfilled within five years following graduation. Students who have not completed certificate requirements upon receipt of the degree may continue as special, postbaccalaureate, or graduate students.