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 complete all certificate coursework for a letter grade, earn a minimum of a C in each certificate course, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all certificate courses. 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 JHSPH (All students are required to complete this noncredit online course in their first term of study) | |
| Required Courses: Students must complete 309.605 and 340.616. They must also complete EITHER 120.627 OR 260.665 | ||
| PH.120.627 | Stem Cells and the Biology of Aging and Disease (typically offered onsite and online in 3rd term) | 3 |
| PH.260.665 | Biological Basis of Aging (offered in alternate years in 3rd term) | 3 |
| PH.309.605 | Health Issues for Aging Populations (typically offered onsite in 2nd term) | 3 |
| PH.340.616 | Epidemiology of Aging (typically alternates between being offered onsite and online in 1st term every other year and online in the Summer Institutes) | 3 |
| Elective Courses: Students must complete at least 9 credits of elective coursework | ||
| PH.120.627 | Stem Cells and the Biology of Aging and Disease (Course may only be completed as an elective if not already completed as one of the required courses. Course is typically offered onsite and online in 3rd term) | 3 |
| 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.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 in 4th term) | 3 |
| PH.330.802 | Seminar on Aging, Cognition and Neurodegenerative Disorders (typically offered online in 1st, 2nd and 3rd terms, every other year) | 2 |
| PH.340.699 | Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging (typically offered onsite in 3rd term) | 3 |
| PH.380.604 | Life Course Perspectives on Health (typically offered virtually in 1st term and online in 2nd term) | 4 |
| PH.380.603 | Demographic Methods for Public Health (typically offered onsite in 2nd term and online in 3rd term) | 4 |
Students interested in aging may learn about other aging-related training opportunities at Johns Hopkins University's Center on Aging and Health.