FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Dorothy Seebaldt, M.A., M.S.W.
Madame Cadillac Building, Room 336
Direct: (313) 927-1488
E-mail: dseebaldt@marygrove.edu

PROGRAMS OFFERED
Certificate in Gerontology
Minor in Gerontology

POTENTIAL CAREERS
Adult Educational & Learning Services, Adult Day Care Services, Adult Foster Care Services, Adult Protective Services, Adult Recreational Services, Business & Finanical Services , Dietetic Services, Health Care Services, Hospice Services, Marketing Services for Adults, Ministry Services to Adults, Nursing Home Services, Respite Care Services, Retirement Planning Services, Senior Center Services and Senior Housing Services

FACULTY
James Karagon, M.S.W., Michelle Ventour, M.S.W. and Dorothy Seebaldt, M.S.W.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Marygrove College offers a multidisciplinary certificate program in gerontology. This certificate is intended for people who have completed at least two years of undergraduate course work. It is also designed for professional practitioners with baccalaureate or advanced degrees, who want to increase their understanding of aging and are interested
in developing skills to work with older adults.

To receive a certificate in gerontology, you must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours at Marygrove College, including 12 hours of required courses and three hours of electives.

The three credit hour field experience in gerontology may be waived if you are presently participating in a supervised work experience with the elderly‚ or if the field practicum experience for your major is in a gerontological setting. In such cases, you would take another elective in the program.

CAREER INFORMATION
The aging population is increasing and will continue to expand. Presently, every ninth American is elderly. By the year 2020 every fourth American will be over 65 years of age. As the elderly population expands, so does the need for trained professionals with an understanding of the needs of this population. If you are currently working or interested in gaining employment with one of the many programs for the elderly that receive Medicaid and/or Medicare reimbursement, you are now required to have at least a bachelor’s degree with some training in gerontology.

In addition to professional preparation, Marygrove’s gerontology program will provide you with increased understanding of your older relatives, and it will help you prepare for your own retirement and older adult years.

If your major is social work, psychology, social science, business or education of the adult learner, you can enhance and combine your career preparation with a certificate in gerontology.

CERTIFICATE IN GERONTOLOGY
The total credit hour requirement for the certificate is 15 hours, including:

A. Required Courses
SW 237/537 Physical Aspects of Aging
SW 299 * Pre-professional Practicum
PSY 346/546 Aging Individual in Society
SW 378/578 Policies and Services for Older Persons
SW 410/610 Working with Older Adults

* To be arranged with approval of the director of the gerontology program.

A minimum grade of C in each of the required courses must be obtained in order to qualify for the gerontology certificate.

B. Elective Courses
Select a minimum of three credit hours from the following courses:
EDU 390/590 The Adult Learner
BIO 141 Nutrition Through the Life Cycle
PM 564 Ministry with Older Adults
PSY 348 Death and Dying
RS 384 Faith and Human Development
SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity
SW 325 Professional Communication
SW 200/400A Substance Abuse
SW 200/400C Working with Mental and Physical Illness

MINOR IN GERONTOLOGY

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree may elect a minor in gerontology. The minor consists of 24 credit hours including the 5 courses listed as “required” for the certificate program and remaining courses chosen from the “electives” listed previously.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

See Course Descriptions under appropriate sections of this catalog.

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