College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes

About This Program

The Gerontology graduate certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve the growing aging population. Our expert faculty will guide you through coursework covering topics like age-related changes, eldercare policy and more. Read more...

Contact Information

• Gregory Smith | gsmith2@kent.edu | 330-672-9993

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Two letters of recommendation (students currently enrolled in graduate degree programs at either Kent State University or the University of Akron may use the letters of recommendation submitted for admission into their degree program)
• Goal statement and professional objectives
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

Student must be matriculated in a graduate degree program or hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution. Students may be admitted with non-degree status, but they must complete a graduate degree prior to being awarded the certificate.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

¹

Course meets the psychosocial requirement of the certificate.

Graduation Requirements

• Students declared in a doctoral degree should enroll in the doctoral level version of these courses, if offered.
• A thesis or dissertation may be applied toward certificate requirements if it involves an aging-related topic. Students may also apply a practicum/internship course within their degree program as a capstone experience in the certificate program.
• Minimum 12 credit hours must be at the 600 level (University of Akron), 60000 level (Kent State University) or above designation.
• Maximum 3 credit hours is transferable from outside the university.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Apply gerontological knowledge and skills to their professional career pursuits, whether of an applied or research orientation.
2. Interface with professionals from other disciplines within the interdisciplinary context of gerontology.
3. Understand aging from a broad bio-psych-social prospective, ranging from cell to society in scope.

Graduate Certificate Policy for the College of Education, Health and Human Services

• Students seeking a graduate certificate must maintain a minimum 3.000 grade point average. A graduate certificate student who receives a combination of more than 8 credit hours of B- or lower grades, or more than 4 credit hours of grades lower than C is subject to dismissal. Students who are unable to maintain academic standards of the College are subject to dismissal for academic reasons. Grades of C- or below are not counted toward completion of the certificate.
• Certificates must be completed within six years after the first graduate enrollment.
• No more than 2 credit hours of workshop may be used toward a certificate.
• Before being eligible to be awarded a Certificate, students must be admitted to the Certificate program.
• Students currently in a graduate degree program may also apply to a certificate program. Their degree seeking coursework may be applied to the certificate coursework with advisor approval. The courses must be completed within six years and satisfy certificate course requirements.
• Students who have a previous graduate degree and are not currently seeking another graduate degree may transfer a maximum 6 credit hours with advisor approval. These credits may include hours from another KSU program, or from another accredited institution, if the following conditions are met: (1) courses were at the graduate level; (2) a grade of "A" or "B" was earned; (3) credit will be less than six years old at the time the certificate is conferred at Kent; and (4) student was admitted as a graduate student at the time the course was taken.
• Some program areas may be more restrictive. Students are advised to consult their program.

Full Description

The Gerontology graduate certificate is offered jointly with the University of Akron to offer students specialized training within the interdisciplinary field of gerontology that goes beyond what is rooted in their selected professional discipline or academic major. Coursework completed at either institution may be applied to the certificate. The certificate program is flexible; students can tailor the courses taken toward completion of the certificate to meet their unique professional interests.

The Gerontology certificate is based on the recommended standards of excellence established by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. The faculty at both Kent State University and the University of Akron are nationally and internationally recognized scholars in gerontology. Many are fellows of the Gerontological Society of America. Faculty are available to assist students with course selection, research projects and other matters of interest in the field of gerontology.