OVERVIEW
The Johns Hopkins certificate in Gerontology is awarded to qualified students who have acquired a body of knowledge that is essential for success in this exciting field. The University is known for its several centers of excellence in gerontologic studies. It offers a rich array of aging-related courses, conferences, research projects, and mentors across its medical institutions: the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, and the School of Medicine. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology is considered one of the best in the country, and the continuum of long-term and chronic care, located at the University’s Bayview Campus, has been referred to as the most complete in the United States.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
- Increase understanding of the health issues confronting aging populations and commonly used terms, conceptual frameworks, and domains of gerontology study.
- Provide health professionals with skills for evaluating the health of an aging population.
- Foster knowledge of constructive interdisciplinary research and practice for improving the quality of health care and long-term services and supports for aging populations.
ADMISSIONS
Complete certificate contact information and admissions information can be found on the Bloomberg School certificate program page.
SPONSORING DEPARTMENTS
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
Students must take all required and elective courses for a letter grade and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in all certificate coursework. Students must successfully complete at least 18 credit hours among the required and elective courses. The certificate program length is flexible and varies from student to student. However, the certificate program must be completed within three years.
The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements. The student's transcript will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program, and processed by the Registrar.
COURSE OF STUDY
Students should use the Bloomberg School of Public Health course directory to confirm when courses are offered. Students should also check for prerequisites and whether instructor consent is required. Prior to registering for any online courses, students must complete Introduction to Online Learning.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH.550.860 | Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH (All students are required to complete this noncredit online course in their first term of study) | |
| Required Courses: Students must complete 309.605, 309.865, and 340.616. They must also complete EITHER 380.604 OR 260.665 | ||
| PH.309.605 | Health Issues for Aging Populations (typically offered onsite in 2nd term) | 3 |
| PH.309.865 | Journal Club in Health Services Research: Topics in Aging & Disability | 1 |
| PH.340.616 | Epidemiology of Aging (typically offered onsite in 1st term, and online in 1st term and Summer Institute) | 3 |
| Required Course: Students must take one of the following courses | ||
| PH.380.604 | Life Course Perspectives on Health (typically offered onsite and online in 1st term and online only in 2nd term) | 4 |
| PH.260.665 | Biological Basis of Aging ((offered in alternate years in 3rd term)) | 3 |
| Elective Courses: Students must complete at least 9 credits of elective coursework | ||
| PH.260.665 | Biological Basis of Aging (Course may only be completed as an elective if not already completed as a required course. Course is typically offered onsite in 3rd term every other year) | 3 |
| PH.300.651 | Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System (typically offered onsite in 1st term, and online in 2nd and 4th terms) | 4 |
| PH.308.630 | U.S. Pharmaceutical Policy (typically offered online in 4th term) | 3 |
| PH.318.623 | Social Policy for Marginalized and Disenfranchised Populations in the U.S. (typically offered onsite and online in 2nd term) | 3 |
| PH.330.618 | Mental Health in Later Life (typically offered onsite in 4th term every other year) | 2 |
| PH.330.623 | Brain and Behavior in Mental Disorders (typically offered onsite and online in 4th term) | 3 |
| PH.330.639 | The Intersection of Mental and Physical Health (typically offered onsite and online in 4th term) | 3 |
| PH.340.699 | Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging (typically offered onsite and online in 3rd term) | 3 |
| PH.380.755 | Population Dynamics and Public Health (typically offered online in 1st term and onsite in Summer Institute) | 2 |
| PH.410.612 | Sociological Perspectives on Health (typically offered onsite in 1st term) | 3 |
| PH.410.721 | Translating Research into Public Health Programs and Policy (typically offered online in 4th term) | 3 |
Students interested in aging may learn about other aging-related training opportunities at Johns Hopkins University's Center on Aging and Health.