Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies

Our undergraduate certificate in aging studies will give you a cost-effective competitive edge. In only 9 credits, you can graduate prepared to enter the workforce or develop the knowledge and skills needed to advance your career. Contact us today to learn more: email Catherine at macdonaldcs@vcu.edu

Why Our Program

Our undergraduate certificate in aging studies will give you a cost-effective competitive edge. In only 9 credits, you can graduate prepared to enter the workforce or develop the knowledge and skills needed to advance your career. Contact us today to learn more: Email Catherine at macdonaldcs@vcu.edu

You will learn to:

critically evaluate major societal challenges and opportunities resulting from population aging
articulate how social processes, places and policies shape aging
demonstrate understanding of adult development
explore career paths and apply gerontological concepts to practical and professional opportunities
and more!

Fully online

The entire program can be completed online. In other words, you don't have to come to campus to earn your Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies.

All are welcome

You can complete the program as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student. You don’t have to attend VCU to enroll. Current VCU students can complete the certificate alongside their degree program, with aging studies courses also counting for their required electives. Individuals not attending VCU and current VCU students are all welcome to apply.

VCU Gerontology

VCU Gerontology has a strong, positive relationship with the wider community, including a vast network of alumni and employers, which provides students with many opportunities for networking, learning, engaging, and applying knowledge and skills acquired from courses.

Our students get jobs! We connect students with employers throughout the program and after graduation.

Admissions Requirements

Information about the admissions process will be added here soon. For more information about the Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies program, please contact Catherine MacDonald at macdonaldcs@vcu.edu.

Looking for a bachelor’s degree opportunity? Check out our "4+1s" to complete your bachelor's degree and master's degree in gerontology in only 5 years.

Program Goals

The Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies program prepares students for applying specialized gerontological knowledge to their career field.

In this program, students will explore the diverse, growing and dynamic availability of careers in gerontology and will focus on applying gerontological concepts to practical and professional situations.

Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce by demonstrating understanding of adult development and elderhood from a biological, psychological, social and spiritual perspective.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students in the Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies program will explore the diverse, growing and dynamic availability of careers in gerontology and will focus on applying gerontological concepts to practical and professional situations.

Students will articulate and integrate the physical and psychosocial experiences inherent in the multidimensional experience of aging.

Students will critically evaluate major societal challenges and opportunities resulting from population aging.

Students will be able to describe the bio-psycho-social changes that occur with aging.

Students will articulate how social processes, places and policies shape aging.

Students will articulate the skills necessary for success in government, private-sector, and non-profit positions that require the integration of gerontological knowledge and practice.

Core Curriculum

GRTY 200. Disrupting Ageism: Diversity and Aging (3 credits)

GRTY 300. Human Longevity: An Exploration of Career Opportunities (3 credits)

GRTY 410. Perspectives on Aging (3 credits)

Undergraduate students who have completed or are enrolled in GRTY 200, 410, and 300 may count these courses toward the Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies and electives toward their majors as appropriate.

A list of Gerontology courses can be found in the VCU Bulletin*

*The course list is not exhaustive of all topics that may be offered in the Department of Gerontology.