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2018-2019 University Bulletin 
    
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2018-2019 University Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Gerontology Certificate

Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Aging Care

Dominican University’s Graduate School of Social Work is among the 16 accredited social work programs in the United States to be given a gerontology specialization grant by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) to implement the gerontology certificate program to prepare professionals needed to address the concerns, challenges and complex needs of aging adults.

Gerontology is the multi-disciplinary study of the biological, physical, psychological, sociological, spiritual and economic aspects of aging. The Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Aging Care program at Dominican University addresses the need for professionally trained social workers to meet the demands of the older adult population. This option is offered to current MSW students either at the foundation or concentration level. If you already have an MSW, you may be admitted to the program as an extern to the Gerontology Graduate Certificate Program.

Extern Students

For students who already have an MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program the requirements are as follows:

Four 3-credit courses:

  • SWK 611 & SWK 651 (Field placement taken concurrently with SWK 611 and SWK 651)
  • Two approved electives. The list of approved electives eligible for the certificate program may vary from year to year.

Completion of 2-semester field placement (total = 600 hours)

  • This should be with primarily older adults at the local, national, and/or international level
  • Credit may be given to MSW students who already have taken aging-related classes and internships during their MSW program. They should write a petition to the admissions officer requesting credit for classes already taken. This letter should be written PRIOR to beginning the semester.