Undergrad Certificate Brochure

Undergraduate Certificate in Healthy Aging

College of Health Sciences

About the Undergraduate Certificate The Center for Aging & Translational Research created the Undergraduate Certificate in Health Aging in 2015 in order to prepare students with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and experience to better meet the needs of the increasing older adult population.

After completing the certificate, students will: •

Have foundational knowledge in the processes of aging, misconceptions about aging, and the opportunities and challenges of older adulthood.

•

Understand the interdisciplinary and integrative nature of aging studies and services.

•

Have engaged in meaningful contact with older people.

What is Gerontology?

Gerontology is the multi-disciplinary study of the aging process from middleto later-life. It includes: the study of physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age, the investigation of the ways our society is adapting to meet the needs of older adults, and the application of this knowledge to policies and programs with real impact in daily life.

How would this help my career?

Demand for professionals with specialization in gerontology will continue to rise, as new specialized markets for serving older adults continue to emerge.

Some examples include: •

Patient Advocacy and Health Coaching (Social Work and Nursing)

•

Elder Financial Planning (Business and Law)

•

Motivational Wellness (Health Administration and Therapy)

•

Aging in Place (Architecture and Accessible Design)

•

Public Safety (Civil Engineering and Urban Planning)

Who should apply?

Any student interested in exanding their understanding of age-related issues! The certificate is open to undergraduate students in any major.

Scholarships may be available!

Curriculum

Core Curriculum Courses

Choose 3 (9 credits).

COMMUN 285

Communicating with Older Adults

HCA 203

Human Life Cycle

NURS 203

Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan

PSYCH 680

Psychology of Aging

RELIGST 250

Spirituality and Aging

SOC WRK 300

Aged to Perfection: An Introduction to Aging (REQUIRED)

SOC WRK 685

Social Gerontology

Correlate Courses

Choose 2 (6 credits).

AD LSP 547

Educational Dimensions of Practice with Older Adults

COMMUN 313

Human Communication and Technology

COMMUN 381

Health Communication

COMMUN 665

Introduction to Mediation

COM DIS 250

Interprofessional Communication in Health Sciences

HCA 307

Epidemiology for the Health Sciences

JAMS 280

Health and Media

KIN 290

Health and Wellness As We Age

PHILOS 244

Ethical Issues in Health Care

PSYCH 578

Psychology of Race, Ethnicity and Health

PSYCH 611

The Aging Brain

SOC WRK 564

Social Services of Aging

SOC WRK 680

Death and Dying

SOCIOL 282

Sociology of Aging

THEATRE 260

Storytelling: Elder Tales

Practicum, Field Placement, Internship or Service Learning

Choose 3 credits.

Students should meet with their Certificate Coordinator to discuss options.

Enrollment To declare this certificate and discuss scholarships, contact the Center for Aging & Translational Research at catr@uwm.edu and schedule an appointment with the Certificate Coordinator. It is also recommended that you meet with your Academic Advisor from your home school/college before declaring the certificate.

Why study aging?

Due to huge medical advances over the past century, Americans are living longer and healthier lives. Despite the public perception, many older adults experience good health and personal growth. And the vast majority report that later life brings new opportunities for learning, contribution, and self-expression.

In the U.S., life expectancy currently stands at 78.8 years, and the number of people over age 65 will nearly double by 2030. Virtually every field will be impacted by these demographic changes, and older Americans’ welfare over the next decades depends heavily on younger generations.

There has never been a greater need for innovative professionals driven to support the aging population and change attitudes and policies about aging. As a result, enrollment in this certificate program has increased steadily since its establishment.

If you are interested in any of the following fields, this certificate could positively impact your work:

communications

nursing technology & design

kinesiology

psychology

economics

social work

education

business

occupational & physical therapy

politics

architecture & urban planning

public health

For more information, go to

uwm.edu/catr