The Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity of Hunter College offers several Certificates in the aging field:

• Aging
• Aging & Mental Health
• Geriatric Care Management 

Each certificate program is designed to be completed in approximately 2 years, though there are no time constraints to completion. Individuals may take select courses without pursuing a certificate. All classes are held in the evening to accommodate working professionals.

To download full details regarding the program, including the Spring 2012 Course offerings, click here.

The Brookdale Center is the oldest and largest Gerontology Center in the New York metropolitan area, and has been training professionals since 1976. Program faculty are leaders and practitioners in the gerontological field who draw upon first hand clinical experience with older adults and their families.

Admission Educational Requirements

For Certificates in Aging and Aging & Mental Health:
A Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field of study. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree will be considered non-matriculated until they successfully complete our Introduction to Gerontology course. This course must also be completed before 15 units have been accumulated and is a prerequisite for courses designated as advanced.

For the Certificate in Geriatric Care Management:
A Bachelor’s degree in any field of study with four years of paid experience in human services; OR Master’s degree in any field of study with two years of paid experience in human services.

Unit Designation and Grades

Brookdale Center Certificate Program units are NOT college credits. Students should retain all course syllabi and transcripts if they plan to apply for credit at other schools.

Brookdale Center Certificate Programs have a pass/fail grading system. Faculty award “units” based on class participation, attendance and the completion of any faculty assignments. Transcripts are available upon request.

Non-Certificate Students

Students who do not intend to pursue a Certificate may enroll in classes on a space available basis.

Attendance Requirements:

• One Class Course 100% Attendance
• Two Class Course 100% Attendance
• Three Class Course 2 out of 3 classes
• Four Class Course 3 out to 4 classes
• Five or more 80% Attendance

It is the student’s responsibility to approach faculty regarding a possible “make-up” for missed classes but it is the faculty’s decision whether or not a make up will be possible.

Certificate in Aging (30 units)

A payment plan is available; please contact (212) 650-3850.

A Certificate in Aging provides the opportunity for health practitioners and clinicians to engage in a wide spectrum of courses in order to broaden their knowledge and skills in the field of gerontology and become better able to provide services and support for the geriatric population. Target audience: health practitioners and clinicians holding a bachelor’s degree or higher who are interested in or working in the field of aging. To earn this Certificate, students must take:

Required courses (14 units):

• #905 Introduction to Gerontology & Normative Aging (5 units)
• #910A Social and Psychopathologies of Aging (5 units)
• #500MH Clients With Mental Illness (4 units)

Electives (16 units):

• The remaining 16 units are taken as electives from the entire range of course offerings.

Certificate in Aging & Mental Health (30 units)

A payment plan is available; please contact (212) 650-3850.

Prepares mental health practitioners and clinicians for specialized practice with older clients and their families. Course work examines the assessment and treatment of mental illnesses and conditions as they manifest themselves in an aging population. Students develop the knowledge and skills for working with older adults and their families using the most current mental health assessment protocols and mental health interventions. Target audience: human service professionals/clinicians with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. To earn this Certificate, students must take:

Required courses (14 units):

• #905 Introduction to Gerontology & Normative Aging (5 units)
• #910A Social and Psychopathologies of Aging (5 units)
• #500 Clients With Mental Illness (4 units)

Other Electives (16 units):

• The remaining 16 units may be taken from the full range of course offerings. A minimum of 6 elective units should be Mental Health (MH) labeled courses.

Certificate in Geriatric Care Management (46 units)

A payment plan is available; please contact (212) 650-3850

Geriatric Care Managers are highly qualified professionals trained to assess, plan, coordinate, and monitor services for older adults and their families. Graduates of this program are prepared for a career as a geriatric care manager in the private for-profit and public not-for-profit sectors of service delivery. The courses offered in this program provide students with a solid knowledge of gerontology and clinical care management skills, as well as practical information to enable individuals to set up and successfully run a geriatric care management practice. Interested individuals must first apply and be accepted into this particular program. Target audience: professionals with a Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of paid experience in human services OR professionals with a Master’s degree and 2 years of paid experience in human services. Interested individuals should email their resume to Raquel Romanick at raquel.romanick@hunter.cuny.edu. To earn this Certificate, students must complete the following required courses:

Aging Foundation Courses (14 units):

• #905 Introduction to Gerontology & Normative Aging (5 units)
• #500 Clients With Mental Illness (4 units)
• #910A Social and Psychopathologies of Aging (5 units)
  

Business Development Courses (8 units, taken in any order, GCM students only; non-GCM students may take courses with permission):

• #BD1 The Fundamentals of Starting a GCM Business (2 units)
• #BD2 Marketing Strategies and Practices (2 units)
• #BD3 Complexities of Working with Other Professionals (2 units)
• #BD4 Best Practices (2 units)

Aging Network (18 units, taken in any order):

• #AN1 Home Care (3 units)
• #AN2 Institutional Care (3 units)
• #AN3 Working in Family Systems (3 units)
• #AN4 End-of-Life Issues (3 units)
• #AN5 Housing (3 units)
• #AN6 Effective Communication Practices (3 units)

The remaining 6 units can be taken from any of our course offerings.

* Elective courses offered vary by semester. You may search the Course Browser or our Catalog to find the current elective offerings.

Spring Semester

BD2 Marketing Strategies and Practices
This course presents the student with an overview of the essentials related to developing and growing a Geriatric Care Management practice. Students are helped to understand the importance of visibility as the primary channel through which to start a practice. Various approaches to this goal are discussed including: press releases, community presentations, media relations and the use of the internet. Students also become familiar with the issues facing the beginning practitioner. (2 units)
Dates and Times: Thursdays May 17 and May 24, 6:00-9:00pm
Location: TBA
Faculty: Miriam Zucker, ACSW
Price: $180

#501 MH Dementia
This course provides an overview of dementia, which is the loss of brain function that occurs with many later life illnesses. Participants will develop an understanding of brain changes and related symptoms of dementia, the impact of dementia on family and caregivers, and evidence-based treatment for affected individuals and their caregivers. Emphasis will be placed on exploring practical issues and developing intervention skills related to dementia. (4 units)
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 6:00 – 9:00
Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, 2180 Third Avenue
Faculty:  Lydia Ogden, MSW
Price: $360

#910A Social and Psychopathologies of Aging
This course provides a holistic examination of the dynamic interaction of psycho-social, cultural and biological factors that influence psychological wellness during aging. Older adults are viewed within the context of families, communities and the broader society. Preventive, diagnostic and intervention strategies of selected health alterations are discussed relevant to the practice of a broad range of professionals working with older adults. (5 units). This class is required for all students.
Dates and Times: Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 5:30 – 8:30pm
Location:  Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, 2180 Third Avenue
Instructor: Alex Carter, LMSW, CCM, QDCOP
Price: $450

#509MH Understanding the Dimensions of Elder Abuse: Research, Policy & Practice
Utilizing the strengths perspective, this course will provide students with an overview of the research, policy and practice implications around elder abuse. In addition, students will learn about the prevalence of elder abuse as well as new service developments in New York City. This course will be highly interactive and students will be asked to think about the crucial role of diversity and cultural competency while also reflecting on their feelings and attitudes around aging (4 units)
Dates and Times: Thursdays, April 19, 26, May 3 & May 10, 6:00 – 9:00
Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, 2180 Third Avenue
Instructor:  Cara Kenien, MSW, MPA
Price: $360

#505 MH Working Effectively with Compulsive Hoarders
Working Effectively with Compulsive Hoarders, examines  the various causes of a puzzling behavior which has serious safety and public health consequences for both the hoarder and his or her neighbors. Focus includes an examination of the different psychiatric conditions which are linked with hoarding, the clinical features of the syndrome, techniques that engage the client, and interventions which are most effective in gaining the client’s participation and cooperation. Compulsive hoarding creates difficult case management considerations; addressing the unsafe environment created by chaotic and often unsanitary living spaces while protecting the hoarder’s fragile sense of self from decompensation. We will explore ways in which we can better comprehend both the world and world view of the hoarder, bringing compassionate engagement throughout the process of de-cluttering (3 units)
Date and Times: Wednesdays, March 28, April 4 and April 11 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, 2180 Third Avenue
Instructor: Patrice LaMariana
Price: $270

#AN6  Effective Communication
This 3 week course offers will help students develop skills and strategies for discussing tough topics with the older adult and their families and caregivers. Lecture, class discussion and role play will be used. (3 units)
Dates and Times: Thursdays, June 14, 21, and 28 6:00-9:00pm
Location: TBA   
Faculty:  Miriam Zucker, ACSW
Price: $270

Price: Want to be the first to know about new course listings, exciting Brookdale conferences and events and important news in the field?

Join our email lists! Just send an email with your name to info@brookdale.org.