Professional Advancement Certificate in Gerontology 

The Professional Advancement Certificate in Gerontology is designed specifically for those who:

• Work with older adults
• Desire to change careers to work with older adults
• Are involved personally with the care of an older adult
• Have an interest in current and upcoming aging issues

This program provides an opportunity to gain new knowledge related to specific career, professional, and personal responsibilities and interests. The program is designed to enhance the understanding of aging-related issues by providing the most recent information and research findings in the field of gerontology.

Faculty

The course features a faculty of academic researchers, experienced practitioners, and professionals involved in fields related to aging. The presenters include members of the University of Colorado faculty, professionals, and experts from the areas of health, law, and government, representing the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The program is coordinated by Stephen M. Bender, MSW, Associate Director of Outreach, UCCS Gerontology Center; Kate Lane, M.A., Associate Director of Education, UCCS Gerontology Center facilitates the Colorado Springs course and Sue Bozinovski, Ph.D., facilitates the Denver course.

Topics Covered

The topics covered over the two semester sequence include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• A cross-cultural look at aging
• Physiological, biological, sociological, and psychological aspects of aging
• Government's role and policy issues
• Trends and changes in long-term care
• Legal issues and the elderly
• Medical and end-life ethical issues
• Community based resources
• International and national demographics
• Intergenerational programs
• Alzheimer's disease and care
• Medicare and Medicaid programs
• Social Security perspectives
• Coping with losses due to aging
• Health and medical issues
• Aging in the 21st century
• Spirituality and wellness

How to earn the Certificate

The full course extends over two semesters taken in sequence. Colorado Springs accepts new enrollees each semester, whereas Denver-Park Place and Denver-Broomfield locations accept new enrollees only in the fall of alternating years. Successful completion of the program requires:

• Class attendance
• Participation and completion of weekly topics/speaker evaluation
• FOR DENVER COURSE ONLY -
  • First semester: one page paper and short presentation on program / organization of choice
  • Second semester: one page paper and short presentation on federal policy/issue of choice
    

A maximum of six class absences are allowed during the two semesters. No tests or papers are required. Grading is on a Pass/Fail basis.

Registration Fees/Tuition

Cost is $460 per semester in Colorado Springs and $495 per semester in Denver. A minimum payment of $230 per semester is due at the time of registration, with the remaining balance due by the end October 31st (fall) or March 1st (spring). Please note that if paying by credit card, full tuition is due at the time of registration.

Tuition is used exclusively to cover costs of instruction, administration, and to support the operation of the Gerontology Center at UCCS.

Note: Registration fees have been approved by some employers for employee tuition benefits.

Course Location

Colorado Springs

MacKenzie Place
1605 Elm Creek View 80907

5:15 - 7:15 p.m. Tuesday evenings, beginning the third Tuesday of August through the second Tuesday of December and the second Tuesday of January through the second Tuesday of May.

Denver

Parkplace Retirement Community
111 Emerson Street 80218

6:15-8:15 p.m. Thursday evenings, beginning August 15, 2013 through December 19, 2013 and January 9, 2014 through May 15, 2014.

Sunrise at FlatIrons - Broomfield                                                                                                                                                                      

Sunrise at FlatIrons 400 Summit Boulevard, Broomfield 80021

6:15-8:15 p.m. Monday evenings, beginning August 12, 2014 through December 8, 2014 and January 12, 2015 through May 11, 2015 .

                                                                                                                                                        

How to register

• Email the Gerontology Center to request one
• Please make checks payable to UCCS and send to:
  Gerontology Center
  1434 North Hancock Avenue
  Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• For credit card payments please contact the Gerontology Center at 719-667-0187.                                                                                                                  Please note if paying by credit card full semester tuition is due at the time of registration.

Drops and Refunds

Students may drop the course (written notice required) anytime BEFORE the course begins without penalty. A full refund will be provided if the course is canceled. No refunds will be granted once the SECOND CLASS SESSION has occurred.

For further information contact:

Gerontology Center
1434 North Hancock Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-667-0187
Email: geron@uccs.edu