In recognition of the special needs of the older adults in Central Florida, the University offers a 15 - credit hour interdisciplinary program leading to a Certificate in Aging Studies. The certificate is open to all students in any major. This certificate prepares students for careers in applied gerontology, research, public service or for graduate training. Courses focus on the physiological, psychological, sociological, environmental, cultural, legal-ethical and public policy issues affecting older adults. Students majoring in health professions, biomedical sciences, criminal justice and legal studies, hospitality management, psychology, social work, nursing, sociology, business, exercise science, physical education, communication sciences and disorders or education find study of the aging process especially helpful.
Certificates will be awarded only at the time of degree completion.
Certificate Requirements
- A required 120 - hour internship, along with course options that include service-learning activities, complements the courses.
- Students select one of the internship courses listed below depending on their major. BSW majors must take the 9 credit hour field education course.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
6 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- GEY3001 - Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Overview (3)
Required Internship- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- HSA4850 - Health Services Administration Internship (1 - 99)
- IDS4947 - Internship (99)
- PSY3951 - Undergraduate Field Work (1 - 99)
- SOW4510 - Field Education (9)
- SOW4941 - Internship (1 - 99)
- Full-time social work majors ONLY, SOW 4510 cannot be used with SOW 4941. For part-time social work majors, SOW 4941 cannot be used with SOW 4510.
Restricted Electives
9 Total Credits
- Complete at least 3 of the following:
- DEP3464 - Psychology of Aging (3)
- HFT3005 - Introduction to Lifestyle Community and Senior Living Industries (3)
- HSA3222 - Long Term Care and Administration (3)
- HSC4564 - Health Care Needs of the Aging Population (3)
- NUR4286 - Gerontologic Nursing (3)
- PLA4530 - Legal Issues of the Elderly (3)
- SOW3740 - Social Work Practice with Loss & Life's Transitions (3)
- SOW4645 - Social Services for the Elderly (3)
- SYP4730 - Aging in Society (3)
- SYP4732 - Minority Aging and Health (3)
Grand Total Credits: 15
Foreign Language Requirements
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 15
Other Requirements
- A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) required in each course used to satisfy the certificate
- At least 12 hours used in the certificate must be earned at UCF within the department
- No credit by exam (TSD, Military credit) may be used.
- Independent Study cannot be used toward the certificate
