Gerontology Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, N.D.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate program must hold a bachelor‘s degree from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program and have a strong overall academic record with a “B” average or better in the basic courses prerequisite to gerontology. Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

1. An application for graduate admission
2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
3. An essay on the applicant‘s goals in pursuing the certificate
4. Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields

In addition to the above, students must satisfy the following additional requirements:

1. An interview with the Gerontology Student Admissions Committee
2. Complete the following undergraduate prerequisites, including an introductory course in gerontology or aging. (For students who have not had such a course, it is available at UNCW and should be taken prior to enrolling in any graduate level gerontology courses.)
   1. Introduction to Sociology
   2. Introduction to Psychology
   3. Statistics and Research Methodology
   4. Principles of Biology

Certificate Requirements and Teaching Methods

The program requires 15 semester hours. Graduate courses in gerontology focus on the seminar method of teaching and learning. Students will be required to do literature searches to gain information from journals as well as some textbooks, and bring their findings to class to share with other students and the faculty. Although some courses will involve lecture presentations, students must be self-directed in their studies and seek information appropriately. All but one of the core courses is available through distance education. Service-learning opportunities are also part of the curriculum. Each student will complete a gerontology practicum.