Gerontology Overview

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.