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Happy & Healthy

As our population ages and we're living longer, elder care makes up a significant portion of the healthcare system. 

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Gerontology Certificate

Specialize in one of the fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry.

The gerontology certificate at Labouré is a 100% online certificate program focusing on the study of aging and care for older adults. 

During the program, you'll explore healthy aging from bio-psycho-social perspectives and gain insight into your own aging process along the way. 

As a student in the gerontology certificate program, you:

  • Explore health disparities that are critical to understanding risk factors that impact aging
  • Learn about health equity goals, the continuum of care that older adults navigate, and funding sources for older adults
  • Can finish the program in 6 months, earning 9 college credits

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What is gerontology?

Aging is a part of life, but with normal aging come various challenges - physical, mental, social, economic, and more. By studying gerontology, you will not only learn more about the aging process, but also learn how to face those challenges and improve the health of older adults. 

You can apply what you learn in the gerontology curriculum to multiple areas of the healthcare field, as well as outside the healthcare arena; understanding the needs of an older population is a transferrable skill to almost any area of industry. 

Opportunities within the healthcare field may include working at long-term care facilities or assisted living, working with social services, community centers, adult day-care centers, health and fitness centers, and more. 

Combine your background in gerontology with a hands-on care certification or degree program for even more opportunities. 

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Gerontology Stats
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65+

age of the fastest growing patient population - expected to double in size by 2060

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15%

approximate projected growth in healthcare occupations from 2019 - 2029

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9

college credits you can apply to an associate or bachelor's degree 

Curriculum

As a student in the gerontology program, you will learn the knowledge and skills necessary for critical jobs in the healthcare industry. 

There are three courses in the gerontology program. Below, we'll give you a brief description of each course. 

3 credits

A foundational course that provides an introduction to aging and the aging process. The course introduces the interdisciplinary field of gerontology from bio-psycho-social-spiritual, ecological perspectives. The demographics of an aging population and its implications societal and policy impacts will be explored. Students will build upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed, both personally and professionally, to prepare for contemporary and emerging careers in the field.

3 credits

A contemporary focus on social determinants of health (SDOH), including poverty, race, class and gender, will be explored from an interdisciplinary perspective, along with its specific effects on older adults and the aging trajectory. Within a historical context, students will explore minority, disadvantaged and vulnerable older adult populations’ health disparities and health equity strategies. Students will analyze potential health equity strategies for use in health science professions, and apply this knowledge to a specific health disparity in a specified population.

3 credits

Older Adult Care Across the Continuum: This course focuses on the continuum of healthcare delivery in the United States for older adults from aging in place to hospice care services. Financing for healthcare and health professional workforce needs will be explored. Knowledge of future trends in gerontology and healthcare for older adults informs the student when considering employment and continuing education opportunities in this field.  This course will serve as the capstone for the gerontology certificate program.

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Admission and Tuition

Courses start each Spring (January) and Fall (September). You may apply at any time for the next upcoming start date.

Application

All applicants are responsible for submitting or completing the following:

  • Completed application for admission, with non-refundable application fee
  • Documentation of high school graduation, GED completion, or other state approved equivalency credential
  • Official college transcript(s) from all institutions attended (if applicable) 
  • Copy of any professional licenses, registrations, or certificates (if applicable) 

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from an American high school or college may be asked to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

 

Admissions Criteria

The Admissions team evaluates all applicants on the following minimum criteria and prerequisites outlined below. 

  • Evidence of graduation from an accredited high school, completion of a GED with a minimum standard score of 150 for each test, or completion of the HiSET with a minimum standard score of 45
  • An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • A strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, and science

Prerequisites:

No specific coursework is required.

Questions? Contact your admissions counselor or give us a call at (617) 812-6684. 

2023-2024 Tuition and Fees

Tuition is based on the number of credits you take each semester. The cost is $325 per credit for all gerontology courses, plus the cost of books and supplies. 

Additional fees include: 

  • Admissions Application Fee: $25
  • Matriculation Fee: $250 (paid by the Admission Deposit)
  • Registration fee: $100 per semester
  • Technology Fee: $40 per credit
  • Graduation Fee: $50
    • This fee will be charged in the last semester at the college to cover the cost of graduation processing.

All fees are non-refundable

Continuing education options

You can combine certificates, or add on an associate or bachelor's degree program. 

The gerontology certificate can be taken alone, taken with the phlebotomy or EKG certificates, or taken as part of the Associate of Science in Health Science program. 

Students who earn the associate degree in Health Science - or have another similar associate degree in a healthcare field - can apply for the 2-year bachelor's completion program in Healthcare Administration. 

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Request more information about this program

Download a program brochure immediately and receive an email from our Admissions team containing information about the admissions process, tuition, courses and more.