certificate in gerontology.

The Certificate in Gerontology is not a degree, but represents a specialization at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Students may complete the requirements for the certificate within their social work program. To obtain a Certificate in Gerontology, BSSW and/or MSW students must complete 15 credit hours of course work in gerontology, and 6 credit hours of practicum.

The graduate specialization program requires:

• Acceptance by the UNO, UN-L, or UNMC graduate college;
• Completion of 15 semester hours of gerontology courses (usually five courses), including Applied Social Gerontology (GERO 9110); and • Completion of 6 semester hours of GERO 8940 (Practicum) in an approved aging-related setting. SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410 satisfy this requirement, contingent upon approval by the School of Social Work and the Department of Gerontology (students must register for practicum in both departments).

Foundation Program students or Advanced Standing Program students in the
Integrated Social Work Practice Concentration

Foundation Program students or Advanced Standing Program students in the Integrated Social Work Practice (ISWP) concentration may fulfill 3 of the 5 course requirements and the gerontology practicum requirement within the Social Work program if they :

1. Take GERO 9110 (Applied Social Gerontology) as their Graduate Elective

          AND

2. Take either SOWK 8046 (Working with Minority Elderly) or SOWK 8856 (Hospice For Patients and Families) as their graduate or combined graduate/undergraduate elective OR Take SOWK 8900 (Special Studies in Social Work) as their graduate or combined graduate/undergraduate elective –where they do a special studies related to older adults—and register simultaneously for GERO 8920 (Special Studies in Gerontology)

          AND

3. Take SOWK 8260 (Social Work Practice with Older Adults) as their choice for the Micro Practice course

          AND

4. Take either SOWK 8160 or SOWK 8170 or SOWK 8400 or SOWK 8410 in an aging related setting and also register simultaneously for GERO 8940 (Gerontology Practicum). Additionally, students doing the combined practicum must complete a "special project" in order to meet the Gerontology Practicum Requirement The Gerontology Department PREFERS students to have completed their 5 gerontology courses prior to completing their gerontology practicum.

Foundation Program students or Advanced Standing Program students in the Clinical Social Work Practice Concentration

Foundation Program students or Advanced Standing students in the Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP) concentration may fulfill 2 of the 5 course requirements and the gerontology practicum requirement within the Social Work program if they :

1. Take GERO 9110 (Applied Social Gerontology) or SOWK 8046 (Working with Minority Elderly) or SOWK 8856 (Hospice for Patients and Families) as their elective

          OR

Take SOWK 8900 (Special Studies in Social Work) as their elective—where they do a special studies related to older adults—and register simultaneously for GERO 8920 (Special Studies in Gerontology)

          AND

2. Take SOWK 8260 (Social Work Practice with Older Adults) as their choice for the Micro Practice course

          AND

3) Take either SOWK 8160 or SOWK 8170 or SOWK 8400 or SOWK 8410 in an aging –related setting and register simultaneously for GERO 8940 (Gerontology Practicum). Additionally, students doing the combined practicum must complete a "special project" in order to meet the Gerontology Practicum Requirement. The Gerontology Department PREFERS students to have completed their 5 gerontology courses prior to completing their gerontology practicum.

For application or more information, please call the Department of Gerontology at 402-554-2272.