This certificate offers an applied foundation in aging-related care, public health, and advocacy.
occupational endorsement certificate in gerontology
As Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s population continues to age, so does the demand for professionals trained to support the health, dignity, and well-being of older adults. The Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) in Gerontology prepares students to meet the public health challenges of an aging society, including providing competent care in medical settings and connecting older adults and their families with essential community resources and end-of-life support.
Whether you're currently working in health care, social services, or a community-based role, or just beginning your educational journey, this certificate offers an applied foundation in aging-related care, public health, and advocacy. Students will explore social and environmental factors affecting aging outcomes, learn to recognize and address ageism, and develop skills in person-centered and end-of-life care models.
This OEC is ideal for those interested in contributing to Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s senior care workforce across nonprofit, tribal, and public sectors. It also introduces students to pathways in gerontology research. Courses in the certificate may be applied as elective credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences or other approved programs.
WHY CHOOSE gerontology AT UAA?
Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s population is aging faster than most states, while the working-age population continues to decline. This demographic shift is driving strong and growing demand for professionals trained to support older adults across healthcare and social service settings.
Learn from highly-skilled faculty. Their specialties include public health education, gerontology, maternal and child wellness, disability studies, adolescent health, and more.
Participate in service-learning projects while earning course credit. Many of UAA’s health science classes incorporate activities that facilitate engagement with community partners.
NEWS & Stories
DPHS Public Health Professor Philippe Amstislavski leads research using spruce and fungi to create biodegradable alternatives to plastic, addressing Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s pollution challenges.
Associate Professor Micah Hahn joins the host to discuss the health effects and epidemiology of wildfire smoke, its impact on communities and ways to protect public health.
DPHS student Ky R. Martin is passionate about empowering the community through HIV prevention, education and inclusive public health outreach.
DPHS faculty Jennifer Meyer’s research links Juneau’s end of water fluoridation to increased tooth decay and higher dental costs for young children.
Over the course of 18 months, Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar and public health practice alumna Mariah Seater will be traveling to Iceland to research family justice centers in the Arctic with the hopes of applying her findings to Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ communities.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Contact Us
Phone: (907) 786-6545
Email: dphs@alaska.edu
UAA Div. of Population Health Sciences
UAA Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Dr., Suite 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
Mailing Address
UAA Div. of Population Health Sciences
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
