About the Certificate in Aging

The UNC Chapel Hill Interdisciplinary Certificate in Aging is designed for graduate students enrolled at UNC-CH or elsewhere, professionals with graduate level credentials or the equivalent, and faculty members interested in expanding their involvement in aging. It is a campus-wide interdisciplinary program drawing on the University's rich set of resources to offer graduate students, community professionals, and faculty members gerontological knowledge essential for work in an aging society.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes both knowledge base and skills development, allowing participants to prepare for either clinical or scholarly work, or both.

Participants will be encouraged to have contact with older persons, or with organizations that address the needs of older persons, or to be involved in activities addressing policy issues that affect an aging society. Courses in the certificate program relate to health, mental health, policy and practice, and explore the heterogeneity of today's aging Americans and the resource they represent for our society.

Originally designed for graduate students and practitioners with graduate-level credentials, the program has been expanded to meet the needs of faculty interested in studying aging-related topics to expand or refocus their coursework offerings, their public or clinical service activities, or their research studies. Program Requirements for graduate students and faculty are available.

How to Apply

Applications are available from the Forms page. It is recommened that students discuss their application with one of the Departmental Faculty Advisors.

Students may apply in either fall or spring semester. Application must be made in accordance with the UNC-CH registration deadlines. The School of Social Work is the administrative home of this interdisciplinary certificate program.

Our Partners

The Certificate in Aging Program receives/has received support from:

• Institute on Aging
• Lupton Undergraduate Curriculum Development Grant Program
• Office of Distinguished Scholarship and Intellectual Life
• John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Social Work Initiative