Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
The college offers a graduate certificate in gerontology for those who need additional or specialized training, but do not wish to pursue a master's degree, or for current Southern Miss graduate students who wish to receive more than a minor degree. A graduate certificate in gerontology will provide students and professionals an opportunity to broaden their theoretical knowledge of aging, the aged, and the policy making process; keep abreast of changes in the field; meet new educational requirements for their jobs; or prepare for a new position. More detailed information is available in the Dean's Office.
Admission Requirements for the Certificate Program:
Applications for the program will be submitted to Dr. Thomas McIllwain, who will make admission recommendations to the CoH dean and Southern Miss Graduate School based on the following:
- Evidence of holding a baccalaureate degree from an institution approved by a recognized accrediting agency
- Evidence, by official transcript, of a grade point average of at least 2.75 (figured on an A equals 4.0 scale) for the last two years of undergraduate study, and a grade point average of at least 3.0 on undergraduate courses in the field of proposed study
- Presentation of standardized GRE test scores
- Submission of at least two letters of recommendation from professionals in the field familiar with the applicant's professional abilities and suitability for participation in the program
- Submission of a personal statement outlining the reasons for program participation and potential application of knowledge/skills gained
- Presentation of evidence of professional licensure, if appropriate, and liability insurance before entering a practicum
- For applicants whose native language is other than English, presentation of TOEFL results with a score of 550 or equivalent
Admission Deadline:
- Admission shall be on an on-going basis
Program Requirements:
- Student shall complete at least 18 semester hours with B or better in each course from the approved course list (see below)
- Curriculum requirements consist of one core 3 hour course (Seminar in Critical Issues of the Aged) and 3 hours of a Gerontology Practicum or Supervised Research in the student's field, with the remaining 12 hours selected from the course list below
- Student shall work with an adviser from the department of their discipline.
- Greatest interest to select courses, if the student is admitted within the CoH. If the student is from another college, the Gerontology program coordinator will serve as the adviser for the certificate program
- Student shall complete requirements within four years
- Student may transfer in as many as six (6) credit hours of graduate credit in gerontology from other accredited institutions with the approval of the Faculty Advisor Team and the Graduate Dean, provided that the course work falls within the four-year period allowed for the program
Course List
In addition to those courses approved for the Interdisciplinary Minor in gerontology, the following courses have been approved for the graduate certificate in gerontology. Other courses may be available on a periodic basis but must be submitted to the Faculty Advisor Team for approval.
| CHS 792 |
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*Special Problems in Health |
| FAM 691 |
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*Research in Family and Consumer Studies |
| FAM 692 |
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*Special Problems in Family and Consumer Studies |
| HPR 691 |
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*Research |
| NSG 536 |
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Hospice: Concepts and Application |
| SWK 692 |
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*Special Problems |
CHS, FAM, HPR, SWK, NSG 652 Seminar in Critical Issues of the Aged
(course cross-listed under each prefix) |
* Research or special problems must be related to gerontology
Contact:
Dr. Thomas MclLwain
Associate Professor
Phone: (601) 266-5437
Email: thomas.mcilwain@usm.edu
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