North Carolina State University

Specialized Structure: Graduate Certificate

As part of the Spec Gero Program, the North Carolina State University Department of Social Work has two major products it is working on. The first product we are creating is an online Graduate Certificate in Aging. The certificate will include three courses: Policies, Services, and Legislative Initiatives for Older Adults; Social Work with Older Adults; and Capstone Course in Aging, which includes a research project or grant writing project conducted in consultation with a faculty member and/or practitioner. In addition, a 10 hour per week internship in an agency/organization serving older adults will be required.

The second product, as part of the Graduate Certificate, is creating Social Work with Older Adults as an online course. The course is cross-listed and available to both undergraduates and graduates. The goal was to increase interest in social work practice with older adults at the same time that we made the course accessible to students anywhere in the world; the course was offered in Summer and Fall, 2010 and will be offered in Spring and Summer, 2011.