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College
College of Education, Health and Human Services
Department
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

405 White Hall
Tel: 330-672-2294
E-mail: oss@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes

Jointly offered by Kent State and the University of Akron, the Gerontology certificate offers basic preparation for students in their selected discipline while concurrently providing specialized training in gerontology. Coursework completed at either institution may be applied to the certificate.

To be eligible for the Graduate Gerontology Certificate Program, a student must be matriculated in a graduate degree program or hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution. Students may be admitted with non-degree status, but they must complete a graduate degree program prior to being awarded the certificate.

The 18 credit hour certificate program is flexible with minimal required courses beyond those needed to complete degree requirements. Students can tailor the courses taken toward completion of the certificate to meet their unique professional interests. A thesis or dissertation may be applied toward certificate requirements if it involves an aging-related topic. Students can also apply a practicum/internship course within their degree program as a capstone experience in the certificate program. At least 12 of the required hours are to carry 600-level (University of Akron), 60000-level (Kent State University) or above designation. A maximum of 3 credit hours is transferable from outside the university. Certificate completion is acknowledged by special notation on student transcripts. 

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS (18 credits)
Course Title Credits
BSCI 50020 Biology of Aging 3
GERO 61191 Interdisciplinary Seminar 3
GERO Research Methods 3
GERO Research or Practicum 3
GERO Electives 3
Choose from the following: 1 3
GERO 54030 Adult Development and Aging (3)  
SOC 52010 Social Gerontology (3)  
MINIMUM TOTAL 18
  1. Meets the psychosocial requirement of the certificate.


The certificate program is based on the recommended standards of excellence established by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. The faculty at both Kent State University and The University of Akron are nationally and internationally recognized scholars in gerontology. Many are Fellows of the Gerontological Society of America. Faculty are available to assist students with course selection, research projects and other matters of interest in the field of gerontology.