Director: Anthony Rao, M.S.W., L.S.W.
INTRODUCTION
A graduate certificate in Gerontology may be obtained through Gannon University’s graduate
program. The Graduate Gerontology program was designed in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
It is continually updated to keep current with the demographic shift, which is making the
United States one of the “oldest” countries in the world. Graduate Gerontology certification
has been conferred on individuals employed in business, social science, health science
organizations and religious denominations, as well as upon individuals interested in simply
learning Gerontological information on a personal level.
OBJECTIVES
The Graduate Gerontology certification is designed to provide students and practitioners with
the knowledge and skills necessary for work in the field of the aging of the 20th and 21st
centuries. The graduate certificate in Gerontology may be pursued by students who are enrolled
in the graduate degree programs. The graduate certificate may also be pursued by individuals
possessing a baccalaureate degree, independent of any other graduate program at Gannon
University, and will also be conferred upon post master degree individuals desirous of
Gerontology certification.
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Enrollment in Gannon University’s graduate program by the submission of a college/university
transcript and completion of a Gannon University graduate application form are prerequisites to
the pursuit of Gerontology certification. Students interested in pursuing a Gerontology
certificate are required to notify the Gerontology Program Director of their intention upon
enrollment in the first of any of the courses in the Gerontology curriculum.
CURRICULUM
All students must complete 12 semester credit hours (four courses) of academic work in
Gerontology in on the two following sequences:
Sequence One: Twelve semester hours (four courses) are required of all students by the
completion of four of the following courses:
GGERO 612 Intro to Gerontology 3
GGERO 637 Death, Dying and Bereavement 3
GGERO 638 Mental Health and the Elderly 3
GGERO 639 Counseling Older Adults 3
GGERO 640 Biomedical Aspects of Aging 3
GGERO 651 Gerontology Internship 3
Sequence Two: Three of the above listed courses are required of all students plus the following:
GMPA 501 Elements of Public Administration 3
or
GMBA 531 Management Concepts 3
Options – Degree seeking students only
Graduate students enrolled in degree programs may also obtain Graduate Gerontology certification.
They may substitute a course in their major for the elective course in Sequence Two (above).
Substitutions require approval of the Graduate Gerontology program director.
SPECIAL FEATURES
A graduate certificate of concentration will be received by students completing either sequence
one or sequence two. Completion of the Gerontology sequence will be noted on each student’s
transcript. The Gannon Graduate Gerontology Program is designed to allow completion within a
year to two-year period.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GGERO 612 Intro to Gerontology
3 credits
An overview of the study of gerontology. Examines aging in America, stereotypes, theories on
aging, adult development, work and living environments, and selected problems of the elderly.
This course has a service learning component.
GGERO 628 Medical Terminology
1 credit
Basic principles of education to include lecture presentation and preparation, writing behavioral
objectives, and taxonomy levels.
GGERO 637 Death, Dying and Bereavement
3 credits
This course explores dying, death and grief, a topic of interest to personnel in the human
service and related professions. Issues discussed are theories of dying, death and bereavement
with aged, and assessments and interventions with clients and their clients and their families.
Social cultural differences in attitude and behavior toward death as well as ethical, legal
issues, resources and support services are explored.
GGERO 638 Mental Health and the Elderly
3 credits
Factors involved in successful aging and maintenance of healthy personality functioning are
investigated. The most common psychological disorders of the elderly are considered from
etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects.
GGERO 639 Counseling Older Adults
3 credits
The course discusses various areas impacting lives of middle-aged and older adults. Sensitivity
and biases toward the aging process are explored. The course focuses on specific counseling
interventions and program planning geared to enriching the world of mature adults.
GGERO 640 Biomedical Aspects of Aging
3 credits
A course designed to acquaint students and practitioners with biological and medical changes
occurring in the human organs during the aging process and with the medical, pharmacological,
and surgical treatments of these organ systems.
GGERO 651 Gerontology Internship
3 credits
Students are provided an opportunity to work with elderly in a field internship of 8 to 16 hours
per week at a local agency serving the elderly.