Dec 09, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 University Catalog

Gerontology, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Location(s): West Lafayette


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About the Program


As the number of Americans over the age of 65 grows, the opportunities for careers in fields related to aging also continue to grow. A background in gerontology will be a valuable asset whether students pursue pharmacy, nursing, fitness, nutrition, finance, or a host of other disciplines related to aging populations. By enrolling in this program, students will receive several benefits: increased gerontology expertise, participation in our professional and student organizations, the “Aging Exchange” newsletter of the Gerontology Program, and opportunities to participate in university and national gerontology conferences and seminars.

Students are eligible to enroll if they have a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study and are interested in studying aging. The Certificate is designed for non-degree seeking students who would like to learn more about the aging process or who work with older adults. Graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree should enroll in the gerontology minor or dual-title PhD.

Program Website

Program Requirements


12 Credits Required

Required Courses (6 credits)


Selectives (0-6 credits)


Choose courses from the suggested list below to fulfill remaining credit requirements. Students can also choose courses from the Alternative Selectives list.

Alternative Selectives (0-6 credits)


The following courses are also approved for the Gerontology Program, contingent on instruction by a CALC Faculty Associate and/or substantive aging content or flexibility to individualize major project/paper on a topic in gerontology.

Graduate Programs Disclaimer


  • The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
  • Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary. 
  • Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
  • Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
  • Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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