The Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully pursue careers within aging services organizations, or to conduct academic research in the field of aging. The program focuses on the biological, psychological, social, and policy aspects of aging, and encourages students to link practice and research in order to improve the quality of life of older adults. The GCAG is intended for graduate degree-seeking students in any field, and for degreed professionals looking to advance or refocus their careers. Please contact Jennifer Kahn-Pettigrew, Coordinator for Education and Programming, at 414-229-6888 or kahnpet2@uwm.edu for more information.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Application
- Students wishing to obtain this certificate must declare their intention by applying to the program office or director.
- All graduate certificate applicants—even those already enrolled in a UWM graduate program—must apply to the Graduate School through the Panthera Admission Application.
- Graduate degree and previously admitted graduate non-degree students who decide to pursue a certificate program must submit the Panthera application before completing 6 credits in the certificate sequence.
- Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree and have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average to be admitted into a certificate program.
Scholarship options are available.
Admission
Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree and have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average to be admitted in to a certificate program.
Credits and Courses
Students wishing to earn a Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology must complete 18 graduate credit hours. No student may complete all 18 credits within a single school or college.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| NURS 760 | Processes of Aging | 3 |
| SOC WRK 851 | Social Issue and Policy Analysis: (Aging) | 3 |
| Choice Core | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| The Educational Dimensions of Practice with Older Adults | ||
| Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults I (*open to Nursing students only) | ||
| Advanced Occupational Therapy for Aging Adults (*open to Occupational Therapy students only) | ||
| Psychology of Aging | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Social Gerontology | ||
| Practice Skills and Concepts for Aging and Health | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits 1 | 6 | |
| Program Planning in Adult Education | ||
| Principles and Foundations of Adult Education | ||
| Master's Level Directed Research | ||
| Master's Level Independent Studies and Research | ||
| Pre-Thesis or Master's Project Research | ||
| Advanced Design Studio: (Vulnerability) | ||
| Master's Project | ||
| Communication and Social Order | ||
| Degenerative Cognitive Communication Disorders in Older Adults | ||
| Human Development: Study of the Adult | ||
| Advanced Internship in Writing and Community Engagement | ||
| Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II (*open to Nursing students only) | ||
| Advanced Practice Nursing Adult-Gerontology Chronic Illness (*open to Nursing students only) | ||
| Special Topics Seminar: (Pain and Symptom Management) | ||
| Design and Disability | ||
| Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology | ||
| Assessment in Assistive Technology and Accessible Design | ||
| The Aging Brain | ||
| Social Services for the Aging | ||
| Direct Social Work Practice II: (Aging) | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
Additional electives that are not listed in the Electives heading above may be approved by the Certificate Coordinator. Students may also complete a "Practicum" in their home department or area of choice, with the approval of the Certificate Coordinator.
Additional Requirements
Transfer Credit
No more than 20% of the required credits may be taken at an institution other than UWM. These courses are subject to Graduate School transfer policy and must be approved by the director of the certificate program.
Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average in certificate courses taken at UWM is required.
Articulation with Degree Programs
- Credits and courses required for a certificate may double count toward meeting UWM graduate degree requirements subject to the following restrictions:
- Degree programs must approve the courses from certificates that can double count toward the degree.
- All credits taken in completion of certificate requirements may count towards a UWM graduate degree as long as they do not contribute more than 90% of the total credits needed to obtain the degree. (Note: Students in PhD programs must still complete the minimum residency requirements)
- Certificate courses used toward meeting degree requirements must be completed within the time limit for transfer credit.
- Courses completed for a degree may be counted toward a subsequent certificate, subject to all certificate policy requirements.
- A course may count toward no more than one certificate and one degree.
- Students may not earn a certificate subsequent to a concentration in the same area.
Time Limit
Certificate program time limits shall be established as follows:
- 18 or fewer credits/Three years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
- 19 or more credits/Four years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
For certificates that are designed as add-ons to degree programs and are awarded concurrent with the degree, the time limit shall be the same as that of the degree program.