The graduate certificate in gerontology is intended for those interested in working with and/or on behalf of older adults and their family members. The certificate follows the guidelines of the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education and is offered under the purview of the College of Social Work.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Nashville Campus

Distance Education

Graduate Certificate Type

Add-On

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• To be admitted to this program students must submit a departmental application to the Gerontology Certificate Chair.
• Students selected for admission must be formally admitted to the certificate program through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Credit Hours Required

15 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• SOWK 555  (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 566  (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 572  (3 credit hours)
  • One of the above may be substituted for another MSSW or other graduate course as approved by the Gerontology Certificate Chair

For MSSW Students: Field Practice (at least 6 credit hours)

• SOWK 542  and SOWK 544  (6 credit hours), OR
• SOWK 584  (taken 3 times) OR  SOWK 586  (taken 2 times) to equal 12 credit hours
  • At least 6 credit hours in a gerontology focused field placement
  • The field placement must be approved by the MSSW Field Coordinator

For Non-MSSW students: 6 credit hours of SOWK 593  – Independent Study, focused on working with or on behalf of older adults.
Must be approved by the Gerontology Certificate Chair.

Additional Course Requirements

• All graduate certificates require 3 credit hours (1 course) over and above that which is required for the MSSW program.

Non-Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.