The undergraduate Certificate in Aging and Longevity Studies requires 18 s.h. of credit. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in work for the certificate.
The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.
Undergraduate students may earn the undergraduate certificate or the minor in aging and longevity studies, but not both.
The Certificate in Aging and Longevity Studies takes a multidisciplinary approach to gerontology. Its coursework has been coordinated and sequenced to provide a broad background in aging for students from varied disciplines. Students should speak with the aging and longevity studies coordinator about their intent to earn the certificate and declare the certificate program in MyUI. They work with their academic advisors and the coordinator to develop an individual plan of study that complements their degree program and career interests.
The certificate's required 18 s.h. of credit must be earned in aging and longevity studies courses (prefix ASP) and other courses approved for the program. With permission from the aging and longevity studies coordinator, students also may be able to use other aging-related courses for the certificate. Students must earn at least 12 s.h. of certificate credit in courses numbered 2000 or above, and they must earn at least 12 s.h. toward the certificate at the University of Iowa.
Certificate requirements include a core curriculum of five courses and an additional 3 s.h. of elective coursework from the list of approved aging-related courses. Students may take core courses before or concurrently with other courses in the program, but they should complete the core courses before they enroll in the internship.
Students who complete an aging-related internship or practicum in their major field may be able to count that experience as their aging and longevity studies internship; consult with the aging and longevity studies coordinator. Transfer credit requests are evaluated individually by the aging and longevity studies coordinator.
The Certificate in Aging and Longevity Studies requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
All certificate students must complete five core courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| ASP:1800/CSD:1800/NURS:1800/SSW:1800/TR:1800 | Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology (recommended as first course for the certificate) | 3 |
| ASP:3150 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| ASP:2181/ANTH:2181/GHS:2181 | The Anthropology of Aging | 3 |
| ASP:3135/GHS:3050/SSW:3135 | Global Aging | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| ASP:3160 | Biology of Aging | 3 |
| ASP:3170 | Health and Aging | 3 |
| ASP:4470/HHP:4470 | Physiology of Aging | 3 |
| NURS:3138 | Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions I | 5 |
| One of these: | ||
| ASP:4190/SSW:4190 | Aging Studies Internship and Seminar | 3 |
| NURS:3615 | Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing Practicum | 3 |
Electives
Students must complete an additional 3 s.h. of elective coursework selected from aging and longevity studies courses (prefix ASP), NURS:3620 Gerontological Nursing, and/or from approved aging-related courses offered by other academic units. Practicum and/or research courses offered by other academic units may be accepted for internship credit if they focus on aging; students who wish to apply coursework from other departments should consult the Aging and Longevity Studies Program.
Courses not used to satisfy the Core Courses requirement can be used to meet the Electives requirement.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Aging and Longevity Studies, Certificate
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| The undergraduate Certificate in Aging and Longevity Studies requires 18 s.h. of credit. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| ASP:1800 | Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology a | 3 |
| Certificate: aging and longevity studies elective (prefix ASP or other approved course) b | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| ASP:4470 |
Physiology of Aging c or Biology of Aging or Health and Aging |
3 |
| ASP:3150 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| ASP:2181 or ASP:3135 |
The Anthropology of Aging or Global Aging |
3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| ASP:4190 or NURS:3615 |
Aging Studies Internship and Seminar d or Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing Practicum |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- a
- This foundation course is recommended to be taken prior to other required or elective courses, if possible.
- b
- See General Catalog for list of approved electives. Nursing students may also take NURS:3620 to satisfy this requirement.
- c
- Nursing students may also take NURS:3138 to satisfy this requirement.
- d
- ASP:4190 is restricted and requires that the student discuss with the certificate coordinator what required courses have been completed prior to enrollment. It is allowable to be finishing one certificate course while also taking the internship.