Online Graduate Geropsychology Certificate Program
Online Graduate Geropsychology Certificate Program
journey today.
Throughout a person’s lifetime, cognitive, behavioral and developmental changes occur. Older adults experience unique challenges, and geropsychology specialists can help these patients overcome these challenges. You can prepare to pursue a meaningful career supporting aging adults by earning a geropsychology certificate.
The graduate certificate in geropsychology, available from Grand Canyon University, is appropriate for students who possess a bachelor’s degree in psychology, nursing or a related field, as well as individuals interested in continued academic exposure in the psychology field.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers the geropsychology graduate certificate to students who feel called to serve elderly populations. Blend theories with evidence-based research as you study how the aging process is associated with mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. You will have the opportunity to develop techniques and best practices for helping older adults achieve their optimum potential.
Earn Your Geropsychology Certificate Online
The graduate certificate in aging and geriatric program is available through online classes. You can study geropsychology from anywhere at any time, while continuing to meet your current professional responsibilities. Classes for the geropsychology certificate online are eight weeks in length.
Aging is a highly complex process that is influenced by a person’s physical, mental, spiritual and behavioral health, as well as that person’s cultural background and social support systems. As a student at GCU, you will be encouraged to exercise critical thinking and reasoning skills to develop a solid understanding of the relationship between body and mind.
In courses such as Sociology of Aging and Death and Dying, you will study the following core competencies:
Social policies and systems that influence the aging population
Theories, research and case studies on the sociocultural aspects of death and dying
The aging process in light of biological processes
Positive aging and well-being through psychological, emotional and spiritual perspectives
The population of the U.S. is rapidly growing older, making this an ideal time for students who are exploring careers focused on assisting the elderly. The U.S. Census Bureau states that, by 2030, one in five residents will be of retirement age. By that time, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. It’s also expected that, during the 2030s, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in the nation’s history.1
As the population ages, there will be a greater demand for services intended specifically to support geriatric patients. The certificate in geropsychology may enable students to prepare for related careers in government agencies, offices, hospitals or other clinical settings.
Some of the specific job duties of a geropsychology specialist may include the following:
While this geropsychology certificate course does not lead to clinical licensure, it may be beneficial for those currently working in settings serving the aging population, such as assisted living homes, who are looking to add to their marketability. Some job opportunities may require advanced education or clinical licensure.
Graduate Geropsychology Certificate FAQs
If you are interested in learning more about geropsychology and how to become a geropsychologist, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions.
Geropsychology is an area of specialty in psychology that focuses on the aging population. Geropsychologists provide mental healthcare to older populations and address issues that impact adults as they age, such as coping with chronic illnesses, lifestyle changes, dementia, anxiety, depression, loneliness, age-related stresses and end-of-life care. This field in psychology provides the needed support for a growing portion of our society.
Consider earning your graduate certificate in geropsychology if you are interested in specializing within the field of psychology to serve older adults to help them navigate age-related issues. The Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in GeroPsychology should also be considered if you plan to become a psychologist or a psychology teacher.
Start Your Journey Today!
Get started on your graduate certificate today. Complete the form on this page to get your questions answered.
1 United States Census Bureau. (2018, March 13). Older People Projected to Outnumber Children for First Time in U.S. History. Retrieved May 3, 2023.