Frank J. Manning Certificate in Gerontology
Course Descriptions
- GERCTR201 Concepts & Practices with the Elderly
6 Credits
- Description: This course looks at the concepts and theories of aging and age-related problems and their implications for the delivery of services; it includes discussion, instruction, and practice in the skills necessary to perform the role of friendly visitor in a purposeful relationship with a frail elder in a field placement required by the Gerontology Program. This course has been approved for CEU credit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Nursing Home Administrators.
- Competency: GERON 200 Working with Elders; GERON 300 Concepts of Aging
- GERCTR202 Social & Economic Implications of Aging
3 Credits
- Description: This course seeks to provide students with the ability to obtain and utilize information about the demographic and economic status of the elderly in the United States, and assess the impact of these factors on their quality of life. Students will learn about the aging network and the major health and social policy programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and other services impacting elders. In addition, students are required to schedule two site visits to local elder care agencies to learn about the agencies’ operations and career opportunities. This course has been approved for CEU credit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Nursing Home Administrators.
- Competency: GERON 220 Demographics & Economics of Aging
- CORCTR210 Legislative Process and the Elderly
3 Credits
- Description: This course is an overview of the legislative process with instruction and practice in following a bill affecting the elderly through the state legislature. The course also helps students to understand and assess the power structure within administrative agencies and legislative bodies and how to use the legislature for advocacy. This course has been approved for CEU credit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Nursing Home Administrators.
- Competency: CORCOM 210 Participation in Government
- GERCTR400 Elderly Action Research Project
6 Credits
- Description: This course is taught as a community service project in conjunction with a community organization about a particular human service issue affecting the elderly. Students learn to clearly articulate significant questions, develop a research methodology, prepare instruments and gather data that informs debate on the issue. Some projects we have done in the past include: Older Learners: Their Motivations and Barriers; Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; Older Drivers, When To Stop and Who Should Decide; and Assessing Livable Communities in Massachusetts. This course has been approved for CEU credit by the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Nursing Home Administrators.
- Competency: GERON 330 Applied Research in Aging; CORCOM 280 Public & Community Action II
