Graduate Certificate in Gerontology MSW Overview Ph.D. Overview Request Info OverviewThe Institute on Aging (IOA) offers the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology program. Students pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology will learn:how and why we ageways to reduce stigmas around aging and optimize the aging processthe purpose, strengths, and challenges of programs and services for improving the quality of life for older people and their familiesways to take advantage of the resources that older adults representThis certificate program is unique in its inclusion of courses in urban studies and planning, government policy, social work, psychology and sociology.Students who earn their Graduate Certificate in Gerontology will be prepared to find employment in the field of aging services and will understand how to support, celebrate and care for older adults. Details for MSW Students Details for PhD Students Details for MSW StudentsWith careful planning, Masters of Social Work (MSW) students can complete both the GCG and MSW requirements with 79 total credits (This is one more credit than the usual MSW curriculum alone). The certificate may be completed fully online or through both online and traditional classroom courses.To add the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology to your MSW degree plan:Contact your advisorComplete the digital GO-19 form to add the certificate to your current course of study. Complete the student information part of the form, check the option "I wish to add to my present program." Instructions on how to fill out the form are available on the Graduate School's Digital GO Forms page. Required coursework for MSW students completing the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology include:AGE 558 Perspectives in AgingSW 544 Midlife and BeyondSW 574 Social Work with Older AdultsTwo additional electives must be taken from an approved gerontology list found in the student webcenter Details for Ph.D. StudentsTo pursue both your Ph.D. and the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, please contact your academic or faculty advisor or email the PhD Program.Email the Ph.D. Program at SSWPHD@pdx.edu »Get more information and apply for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology »Course MapsThere is a minimum of 18 credits, which include three core courses (11 credits), two elective courses (6-8 credits), and an internship placement or an independent research project (1-3 credits).View course requirements »Outlined course maps and course lists can communicate what the program will be like and how the program is mapped out over each year. View Gerontology Course list and Ph.D. in SWSR & Grad Cert. in Gerontology Program of Study »View Ph.D. in SWSR & Grad Cert. in Gerontology Full-time Course Map »View Ph.D. in SWSR & Grad Cert. in Gerontology Part-time Course Map »InternshipsInternships or practicum experiences must be at an aging services program 8 hours per week for 10 weeks. Students must complete an application form for the internship and submit it to the IOA one term prior to when the internship starts. The IOA director must approve all internships and independent research projects.Students in the Ph.D. track may be able to fulfill this internship/independent research requirement for the certificate if their dissertation or research practicum is relevant to gerontology; that is, a dissertation topic or research practicum that has a focus on older adults. The IOA director will advise students to make sure the topic is relevant. If eligible for this exception, students would need to register separately with the IOA for a 1-credit research unit using a By-Arrangement Registration Form (AGE 602) in addition to submitting a reflective paper. If a student's dissertation topic were not relevant to gerontology, then they would have to do the practicum experience (AGE 504) or an independent research paper (AGE 501) separately from their program track.View IOA internship information »