Alumni Perspectives of a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Program

Abstract

Gerontological educators have had a long-standing interest in student outcomes, surveying alumni of educational programs about the usefulness of their training for aging-related employment. This article describes a study of Graduate Certificate in Gerontology alumni from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. A survey found that graduates reported their certificate training in gerontology was useful, but would have liked more training in practical and applied aspects of working on behalf of older adults, and more assistance with locating jobs. Graduates used networking, newspaper advertisements, internships, faculty and mentors to obtain jobs. Employment activities varied, as did reasons for not being employed in an aging-related job. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworthpressinc.com]

Evaluating the Curricula for Entry-Level Care Professionals in Aging-Related Fields

“…The main instrument used to collect data was a self-administered questionnaire, which was developed based on the concepts of practice competencies and the question styles used in previous studies (Bennett & Sneed, 1999;Henderson et al, 1998;Roberto et al, 1997;Usita et al, 1998), and on the feedback of nine alumni who represented the fields of medicine, nursing, and social work. The finalized questionnaire contained six sections including sociodemographic background, education and training, current employment, perceived importance of practice competency, perceived adequacy of training, and suggestions for improvement.…”

Importance and Adequacy of Practice Competencies for Care Professionals in Aging-Related Fields

“…The alumni of gerontology programs want to acquire more knowledge and skills in management, communication, policy issues, and various dimensions of the aging process (Association for Gerontology in High Education, 1994;Peterson, 1995;Usita, Blisezner, & Roberto, 1998). They consider interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinary opportunities for learning, and practicum experience to be the most valuable components of a gerontology program (Euster & Reaves, 1995;Usita et al, 1998).…”

Employment Outcomes of Gerontology Certificate Graduates

“…Numerous studies have confirmed that a majority of graduates are able to secure aging-related employment after completing their gerontological studies (Euster & Reaves, 1995;Filinson, 1993;Roberto et al, 1997;Usita et al, 1998). Students with prior experience in gerontology and geriatrics work have been found to fare better in securing aging-related employment after certificate completion than their less experienced counterparts (Rueb, Weber, & Hesser, 1994).…”

“…Because of the varied needs of older adults, students interested in teaching, administration, planning, advocacy, research, and direct services can benefit from the specialized preparation of a certificate program. The development of marketable skills and knowledge along with practical assistance with job placement are reported benefits of a gerontology credential (Roberto et al, 1997;Usita et al, 1998).…”

“…Some students pursue it for personal reasons such as self-improvement and to better care for older relatives (Filinson, 1993). For others, the knowledge and skills gained from the program are being used but not in an aging-related capacity (Usita et al, 1998). Even when not working in the field, most certificate holders favorably rate their experiences (Clubok, 2001).…”