Gerontology | Springfield College-十大赌博信誉的平台Springfield College Logo

Gerontology

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
About This Program
Admissions Contact

Graduate Admissions
(413) 748-3225
graduate@springfield.edu
Schedule a visit

Are you an International Student?
Please contact intladmissions@springfield.edu 
Make an appointment

Program Contact

Debra Burnett
Chair Department of Public Health & Health Professions
dburnett3@springfield.edu
(413) 748-3633

Curriculum and Delivery
  • 16-credit certificate
  • Flexible courses offered 100% online or on-campus in Springfield, Mass.
  • Gain community experience in the field of aging
  • Prepares you to seek employment in various organizations serving older adults
  • View the curriculum checklist
  • Program curriculum
Start Dates and Duration
  • Start in September (fall semester)
  • Complete the program in one year
Paying for Your Education

Learn more about the School of Health Sciences

Upcoming Events

Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Register

Spring 2025 Graduate Open House
Thursday, March 27:
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Register

A group of seniors smiling together while in a retirement home.

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology at Springfield College is designed for the working professional who wants to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of aging. The program provides an applied, interdisciplinary education in the field of aging, plus real-life experience working with older adults in a community setting.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career growth in aging-related professions is expected to grow at an unprecedented rate in the next several decades. As such, understanding aging from multiple perspectives can be helpful in a variety of professional settings, such as social services, health care, and finance, and as an important professional credential to add to one's resume. 

The program will provide all students the opportunity to:

  • Work as an interprofessional/interdisciplinary team member in fields involving interactions with and services to support older adults
  • Develop competencies in positive approaches to aging and in anti-ageism
  • Demonstrate affirming, strengths-based interpersonal and professional skills with older adults as well as with professionals within older adult venues
  • Describe how age-related political, social, economic, and cultural dynamics impact older adults in the United States
  • Describe how physical, emotional, and cognitive age-related changes impact older adults
  • Effectively engage with older adults in developing meaningful interactions and intergenerational communication
  • Meet many of the core competencies for undergraduate and graduate education as recommended by the Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE, 2021), from the Foundational and Interactional competencies and at least two from the list of eight selective competencies (1-Wellbeing, health and mental health; 2-Social health; 3-Program service development; 4-Education; 5- Arts and humanities; 6-Business and finance; 7-Policy; and 8-Research, application, and evaluation)
  • Work with the gerontology certificate program coordinator to develop a plan to meet the requirements for the gerontology certificate
  • Gain community experience through internships, practicums, clinicals, fieldwork, or service-learning courses with the approval of the gerontology certificate program coordinator

In Demand Career

Careers in the field of aging in one of the fastest growing fields due to the aging population nationally and globally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth in gerontology-related professions (Medical and Health Services Managers 28%, Social Workers 9%, Speech-Language Pathologists 21%, Registered Nurses 6%) are expected to grow through 2028.

How to Apply: