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| Internet-based Gerontology
graduate certificate available fall 2003 |
Sam Calhoun
Academic Affairs Beat
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By 2020,
87 percent of North Carolina counties will have more than 16 percent
of their population over the age of 65. This explosive growth of
the older population will affect, directly or indirectly, nearly
every career that Appalachian State University students pursue,
thus the university is preparing likewise, according to Appalachian
State’s gerontology Web site.
An Internet-based graduate certificate in gerontology/assisted living
facility administration will be offered at Appalachian State University
beginning fall 2003.
“It’s needed now because in the next seven years the baby-boomers
are going to start retiring and are going to hit 65, so there is
going to be a growth in our older population like we’ve never
seen before,” director of Appalachian’s gerontology program
Dr. Ed Rosenberg said Monday. “No matter what your job is,
it’s going to involve older people, just look at the demographics.”
According to the gerontology Web site, the graduate certificate
in gerontology is designed for three types of people: a person who
is currently working in aging/human services who needs or desires
formal training in gerontology, but not necessarily a master’s
degree; a student in a related master’s degree program who
feels their value to employers would be raised by formal training
in gerontology; or a person interested in graduate training in gerontology
but is not yet certain whether or not they want a master’s
degree.
Appalachian State also has a master’s degree program in gerontology,
which can be completed in two years.
The graduate certificate in gerontology is not a degree.
Classes for this certificate are offered on a semester schedule,
and since it is online, students can access class materials whenever
it is convenient for them.
“Students can access materials anytime they want, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week,” Rosenberg said. “There will
be deadlines for assignments and exams and students will get their
grade at the end of the semester just as if they were on campus.”
Participating students will be taught through a wide range of Internet
sources.
“We can do everything from have a talking head appear on the
computer screen, to having text, having hot links to educational
Web sites, streaming videos and split screens,” Rosenberg said.
Students will also have full access to the University of North Carolina
library system and be able to electronically submit their exams
and assignments.
According to the gerontology Web site, the certificate program consists
of a nine-semester hour core and six-semester hours of electives
in one of five interest areas.
“This certificate is initially designed to prepare people to
get their licenses as assisted living facility administrators,”
Rosenberg said.
To do this more efficiently than other schools, Rosenberg designed
the certificate program to cover the curriculum needed for the licensing
exam.
“So when people get their graduate certificate in gerontology,
they’re immediately prepared to sit for the licensing exam,”
he said.
According to the Appalachian State press release, 2003 fees for
the program are $83.50 per semester hour for in-state students and
$529 per semester hour for out-of-state students. Rates for the
2004 academic year have not yet been set.
Anyone interested in the certificate program must have a bachelor’s
degree, apply as a non-degree-seeking student and have a minimally
adequate computer with Internet access.
“I want to see this certificate program evolve in some different
directions so that we can help people move toward their career goals
in whatever direction that happens to be,” Rosenberg said. |
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