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Aging Studies

The Aging Studies Program offers the Certificate in Aging Studies for undergraduate and graduate students and a minor in aging studies for undergraduates. The certificate program is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary approach to gerontology. Its course work has been coordinated and sequenced to provide a broad background in aging for students from varied disciplines. All students plan their courses of study with their academic advisors in close cooperation with the Aging Studies Program advisor.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students also may pursue a Bachelor of Arts with an individually designed major in aging studies through the college's Interdepartmental Studies Program. See "B.A. with Aging Studies Focus" below.

Certificate

The Certificate in Aging Studies requires 21 s.h. The program is open to undergraduate, graduate, and nondegree students with aging-related career interests and needs. A student may not be awarded both a minor and a certificate in aging studies.

The certificate's required 21 s.h. must be earned in approved aging-related courses, including at least 18 s.h. in courses numbered 100 and above. Aging-related course work is defined as work that focuses principally on older persons, the aging process, or interventive methods or techniques whose target is the older adult or aging. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 15 s.h. in aging studies at The University of Iowa. A g.p.a. of at least 2.00 is required in all course work applied toward the certificate.

Certificate requirements include a core curriculum of six courses and an additional 2-5 s.h. of elective course work from the list of approved aging-related courses. Students may take core courses before or concurrently with other courses in the program. They should complete the core courses before taking the research project or the practicum course.

With the approval of their major department, students may apply certificate course work to their major or professional program of study.

Transfer credit is determined individually. Students who wish to apply credit earned at other institutions to the aging studies certificate should consult the aging studies coordinator.

Students in good standing should contact the Aging Studies Program advisor to notify the advisor of their intent to pursue the certificate and to develop an appropriate study plan. The aging studies advisor works with students and their major advisors to shape a study plan that complements their academic program and career interests. The aging studies advisor recommends a sequence in which course work should be taken and keeps a record of each student's approved program and progress.

Completion of the Certificate in Aging Studies is noted on the student's transcript.

Individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree at The University of Iowa may return to complete the requirements for the certificate. Graduate students and other students who hold a bachelor's degree are awarded the certificate when they have completed all certificate requirements.

The certificate requires the following course work.

CORE COURSES

All certificate students must complete the following six core courses. 

ELECTIVES

Students must complete an additional 2-5 s.h. of elective course work from the following lists of approved aging-related courses. Practicum and/or research courses offered by other academic departments may be accepted for elective credit if the content or focus is on aging. Students who wish to apply course work from other departments should consult the Aging Studies Program coordinator.

Psychological Aspects of Aging 

Biological/Health Aspects of Aging 

Social and Cultural Aspects of Aging 

Minor

Undergraduate students in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering, Nursing, or the Tippie College of Business may complete the minor in aging studies. The minor must be approved by the student's college or major department. A student may not be awarded both a minor and a certificate in aging studies.

The minor in aging studies requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in aging-related course work, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. For the minor, courses numbered above 100 are considered advanced. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. The required introductory core course 153:108 Basic Aspects of Aging must be included in the 12 s.h. of advanced course work. Courses must be approved by the Aging Studies Program.

B.A. with Aging Studies Focus

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who would like to design an individualized program in aging studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts must apply and be accepted to the Interdepartmental Studies Program. Entry to the program requires approval of a plan of study that includes 36 s.h. of upper-level course work. For more information, see Interdepartmental Studies in the Catalog.