Arizona State University/School of Social Work (SSW) and the University of Arizona (U of A) offer a joint Graduate Certificate in Gerontology through the Arizona Geriatric Education Center (AZGEC). A faculty member from the SSW serves on the Core Faculty for the AZGEC and as a Faculty Associate with the U of A's Graduate Program in Gerontology, College of Nursing. The certificate is designed for graduate students and professionals who want to work more effectively with older adults in a variety of settings, and may be taken entirely on-line or through a combination of on-line and classroom-based courses. Disciplines include social work, medicine, nursing, law, public health, counseling, pharmacy, public administration, travel and recreation, adult education, and personal finance.

There are two graduate certificate levels:

Foundational Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (7 credits)

• 3 credits: Multidisciplinary Course (offered by ASU for all disciplines:
  SWG 591/Multidisciplinary Gerontology)
• 1 credit: Clinical Practicum (offered by ASU for social workers:
  SWG 584/Internship)
• 3 credits: Disciplinary Course (offered by ASU for social workers & those without a health disciplinary course, e.g., public administration: SWG 598/Aging: A Social Work Perspective)

NOTE: All seven (7) credits for the Foundational Graduate Certificate in Gerontology may be   taken at ASU, the U of A, or in combination.

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (15 credits)

• 3 credits: Biomedical Requirement (U of A course)
• 3 credits: Psychological/Behavioral Requirement
  (offered by ASU: SWG 598/Mental Health Aspects of Aging)
• 3 credits: Social/Cultural Requirement (U of A course)
• 3 credits: Elective (may be taken at ASU or U of A)
• 3 credits: Practicum or Internship
  (offered by ASU for social workers: SWG 584/Internship) 

 NOTE: A maximum of 6 credit hours may transfer from ASU toward the certificate.

Application Procedures

Welcome Letter

Checklist (Instructions for Application and Registration)

15 Unit Curriculum

Certificate Application

For more information, contact Teri Kennedy at terikennedy@asu.edu or 602-496-0076.

Gerontology Website