Applied Gerontology

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology is an 18-unit program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.The course articulates with the Graduate Diploma in Applied Gerontology and Master of Applied Gerontology.

The sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards.Students who complete the Graduate Certificate normally receive credit for up to 18 units of topics should they wish to proceed with the Graduate Diploma or Master of Applied Gerontology.The program is multi-disciplinary in nature and is taught entirely by web-based delivery.

Students must have proficiency in basic computer and internet skills as this course is taught externally.

Students must also have access to modern IT equipment.

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology, a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Not all topics may be available in a given year.

Except with permission of the Dean (Education):

• the course must be completed within six consecutive semesters;
• no topic may be attempted more than twice.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in three or more topics, or the award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion, may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Core - Year 1 topics

AGES8020 Introduction to Social Gerontology (4.5 units) AGES8021 Introduction to Clinical Gerontology (4.5 units) AGES8022 Psychological Dimensions of Ageing (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Select 4.5 units from the following topics

AGES8023 Healthy Ageing (Mental Health) (4.5 units) AGES8024 Medication and Ageing (4.5 units) AGES8025 Best Practice in Dementia Care (4.5 units) AGES8028 Leadership to Support Person-centred Dementia Care (4.5 units) HACM9200 Health and Aged Care Systems (4.5 units) PALL8432 Understanding Literature for Evidence-Based Practice (4.5 units) PALL8436 Palliative Care in Aged Care Settings (4.5 units) REMH8025 Recognising and Responding to Dementia in Indigenous Communities (4.5 units)

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification in a cognate field from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

At the completion of the course students are expected to have the ability to:

• recognise the interdisciplinary nature of gerontology for understanding ageing and informing policy and practice that supports living well in later life;
• describe and discuss key concepts in gerontology (eg life course perspective, ageism, personhood, ageing in place, quality of life) and their implications for professional practice;
• differentiate between the different dimensions of ageing and discuss the significance to clinical practice, the social context of ageing and psychological wellbeing in later life;
• illustrate an understanding of cultural responsiveness as fundamental to approaching research, advocacy, support and care of older people;
• identify and critically analyse contemporary debates in the research literature in relation to ageing and aged care; from a local, national and global perspective;
• demonstrate the capacity to take an evidence-based approach to policy, practice and service development to support older people to maximise quality of life.