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 area courses.

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. The Denver-ParkPlace location accepts new enrollees only in the fall. Successful completion of the program requires:

• Weekly class attendance
• Participation and completion of weekly topics/speaker evaluations
• 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 are given. Grading is on a Pass/Fail basis.

Registration Fees/Tuition

Cost is $495 per semester. A minimum payment of $247.50 per semester is due at the time of registration, with the remaining balance due by October 31st. 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. The certificate course is not applicable for financial aid.

Course Location

ParkPlace Retirement Community 111 Emerson St 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.

How to register

• Email the Gerontology Center to request a registration form.
• Please make checks payable to UCCS and send to:
  Gerontology Center 1434
  North Hancock Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• For credit card payments please call the Gerontology Center at 719-667-0187

Drops and Refunds

Students may drop the course (written notice required) any time 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 more information contact:

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