Baccalaureate Certificate of Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological, cognitive and biological aspects of aging. The gerontology certificate will provide students with knowledge and skills for working with older adults and their families through a series of courses specifically focused on aging issues. The majority of gerontology courses are offered online as gerontology courses and the opportunity to earn a gerontology certificate is available to any undergraduate student enrolled at Montana State University who is interested in working with older adults and their families.
The online gerontology certificate program is housed within the Department of Human Development and Community Health. To complete the online gerontology certificate students will need to complete 1 required course (3 credits) and 4 elective courses (12 credits) for a total of 15 credits with earned grades of “C” or higher to fulfill certificate requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Utilize gerontological frameworks to examine human development and aging.
- Relate biological theory and science to understanding senescence, longevity, and variation in aging.
- Relate psychological theories and science to understanding adaption, stability, and change in aging.
- Relate social theories and science of aging to understanding heterogeneity, inequality and context of aging.
- Develop comprehensive and meaningful concepts, definitions and measure for wellbeing of older adults and their families.
- Develop a gerontological perspective through knowledge and self‐reflection.
- Promote older persons’ strengths and adaptations to maximum wellbeing, health, and mental health.
- Promote quality of life and positive social environment for older persons.
- Employ and generate policy to equitably address the needs of older persons.
Required Courses
| CHTH 245 | Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health in Aging | 3 |
| Choose four of the following: | 12 | |
| Leadership & Public Policies in Aging | ||
| Caregiving & Aging Families | ||
| Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Principles Wellbeing in Aging | ||
| Total Credits: | 15 | |