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This certificate program is designed to help train the next generation of geriatric social work practitioners to make a difference where it matters most. With a quickly growing geriatric population and a lack of gerontological specialists, the social work field needs more qualified professionals to advocate for older adults. Whether you are a current MSW (master of social work) student or a practicing social worker that holds a BSW or MSW degree, you can enhance your employability in the field with specialized skills in gerontology.
This graduate certificate helps prepare students for the Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASWG) licensure. In addition, the licensure requires a certain number of continuing education units relevant to work with older adults. The course work involved in this certificate program meets those hour expectations.
Quick facts
Official name
Graduate certificate in gerontological social workCampus
Program type
Graduate certificateAcademic home
College of Health Sciences | School of Social WorkDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Council on Social Work EducationCredit hours
12Estimated cost
$7,245.60*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Work in an expanding field
Gerontological social work is a rapidly developing field. As the demand for professionals in the field increases, the opportunity for social workers with specialized training is high. Graduates of this program will gain the specialized knowledge and skill they need for a profession in geriatric social work or geriatric case management.
Program structure
Delivery of this program is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required.
Courses are semester-based and offered in fall, spring and summer sessions. Students are able to complete the program at their own pace, with most students finishing the program in one to two years.
Course work covers
- Evidence-based helping strategies with older adults and their families
- Various bio-psycho-social assessments to complete with aging adults and their families
- Building awareness of aging policies and services
- Working with an interdisciplinary team
- Gerontechnology
- Disability rights advocacy
- Death, grief and loss
- Developing plans of care for community-dwelling older adults
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
1 or 2 yearsTypical course load
Varies if full time or part timeSee all online programs offered through the College of Health Sciences.
Accreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Robinson is a public health social worker and gerontologist. Her primary research focus is on older adult health, health communication and social support networks. Specifically, she has conducted research with older adults on HIV prevention and sexuality, disaster preparedness and eldertechnology.
Professor Lewis is a licensed clinical social worker and has a certification in thanatology. She has worked as a nursing home social worker as well as a nursing home inspector. Her interests include examining policies that impact older adults and ageism.