Leadership for an Aging Society

Certificate Overview

The online Graduate Certificate in Leadership for an Aging Society is designed to teach students the fundamentals of the aging process and the leadership skills needed to manage an organization that serves older adults both ethically and effectively. Students will learn how to develop, implement, and assess organizational policy and lead teams that provide support services for older adults.

The online program also covers a variety of topics related to serving in a leadership role in the elder care industry, such as the biological, psychological, and sociological impact of aging; ethical issues surrounding older adults and their families living in community or facility settings, including those of for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations; and public policy development and approval processes at the local, state, and national levels.

This online certificate will principally serve two broad audiences:

Current professionals whose organizations specialize in assisting/caring for older adults in public or private settings; and
Graduate students enrolled in a degree program related to aging (such as sociology, engineering, agriculture, nutrition, public administration, or human development).

Certificate recipients will be well prepared to lead and manage organizations that serve older adults in range of settings and levels.

Why Choose This Online Program?

The Graduate Certificate in Leadership for an Aging Society is a university-approved program of advanced study offered by the Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology.
The Graduate Certificate in Leadership for an Aging Society distinguishes you as a knowledgeable, skilled, and committed professional in the field of aging. Numerous employment opportunities in teaching, service, administration, and research that focus on older adults’ needs and interests can be found in government programs and agencies; public and private institutions that provide health, education, and social services; research centers; special interest groups and associations; colleges and universities; and corporate human resources divisions.

Our online program enables students to get individualized attention with award-winning and research-active faculty.
The Center for Gerontology is designated a Collaborating Centre by the International Association for Gerontology and Geriatrics, signifying that the center meets the association’s criteria for excellence, including being a sustainable university-level research center, offering a gerontology training program, engaging in research resulting in peer-reviewed publications, and having multiple research affiliates.

What You’ll Study

The certificate in leadership for an aging soceity requires total 12 core credit hours.

Core Courses – 12 credits

Core Courses – 12 credits

LAHS 5004: Organizational Leadership for an Aging Society (3 credits)
LAHS 5014: Ethics for an Aging Society (3 credits)
LAHS 5024: Public Policy for an Aging Society (3 credits)
LAHS 5034: Gerontology Leadership Capstone Project (3 credits)

Curriculum Requirements

Students will be required to complete coursework to develop knowledge and skills related to organizational leadership, ethical principles, and public policy for the aging services industry. Students will also be required to apply organizational leadership skills in a capstone project to develop, execute, and/or assess an elder care policy or program. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental competencies needed to lead aging services organizations and manage teams that develop and implement policies and practices that address the care needs of older adults and their families.

Time to Completion

Students may enroll in the certificate program either full-time or part-time. Degree-seeking students may take courses in conjunction with their regular course load. Those attending full-time can complete the certificate in a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of four academic years; those attending part-time can complete the certificate in approximately two academic years and a maximum of four academic years.

Non-degree seeking, full-time students can complete the certificate in a minimum of one academic year (two semesters). Non-degree-seeking, part-time students taking one course per semester can complete the certificate in two academic years (four semesters).

Admission Requirements

_{Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)}
_{TOEFL/IELTS score (if applicable)}

_{Learn more}

Tuition and Fees

^{Tuition and Fee Rates}Bursar's Office - Tuition and Fees: Current and Upcoming Terms
_{For Online Certificate Look Under Graduate Program-Specific Tuition Section

- Online Graduate Certificate in Leadership for an Aging Society (ASCC)}

Funding Opportunities

_{Loans and other funding opportunities are available to graduate students; visit Virginia Tech’s Financial Aid website to learn more.

Limited amount of small scholarships are available directly through the Center. Contact our Program Specialist for more information on how to apply.}

How to Apply?

_{Visit the Application Checklist page for information on how to apply, including requirements and deadlines. The Graduate Certificate Application for degree-seeking applicants is available here; the Center for Gerontology Certificate Application is available here.}

_.

Application Deadlines

New to Virginia Tech (Certificate Applicants Only):

_{Domestic Application Deadlines:}

_{Fall: August 1st}
_{Spring: January 1st}

_{International Application Deadlines:}

_{Fall: April 1st}
_{Spring: September 1st}

Visit Campus

_{Visit Campus / Attend an Open House}

Program Director

_{Pamela Teaster

Program Director

Center for Gerontology

203 Grove Lane

Blacksburg, VA 24061

540-231-8958

pteaster@vt.edu}

Program Assistant Director

_{Carlisle Shealy

Assistant Director

Center for Gerontology

230 Grove Lane

Blacksburg, VA 24061

ecs@vt.edu}

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Faculty in Gerontology

Featured Faculty Member

Robert Blancato, MPA

Robert Blancato, executive director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, will teach “Public Policy for an Aging Society” (LAHS 5024), the inaugural course of the Graduate Certificate in Leadership for an Aging Society. The course will focus on public policy development at local, state, and national levels.