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

• Aging
• Aging & Mental Health
• Geriatric Care Management 

A Certificate from the Brookdale Center is a professional credential recognized by practitioners in the gerontological field. Coursework ensures that those entering or in the field have the necessary education and appropriate skills to meet the requirements of practice in a variety of service settings.  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.

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)

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 Complex Care for Geriatric 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)

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 Complex Care for Geriatric Mental Illness (4 units)

Other Electives (16 units)

The remaining 16 units may be taken from the full range of course offerings.

Certificate in Geriatric Care Management (46 units)

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 & 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. To earn this Certificate, students must complete the following required courses:

Aging Foundation Courses (16 units):

• #905 Introduction to Gerontology & Normative Aging (5 units)
• #500 Complex Care for Geriatric Mental Illness(4 units)
• #916 Legal Issues in Aging (5 units)
• #400 Benefits for older adults (2 units)

Business Development Courses (8 units)

Taken in any order. GCM students only.

• #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. GCM students only.

• #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 4 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.

Note: Brookdale Certificate courses are only offered in the Fall and the Spring semesters.

All classes are held at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity of Hunter College. 425 East 25th Street @ 1st avenue unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Fall 2009 Courses Offerings

#905 Introduction to Gerontology & Normative Aging

This course reviews social and psychological factors as they contribute to physical and mental wellness and illness in old age. Students will hone their clinical skills by detailing relationships between diagnosis and treatment. Case material for study and discussion will be provided by the class (5 units). This class is required for all students. Dates and Times: Thursdays, October 8 – November 5, 6:00 – 8:30

Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity,Training Room, 425 East 25^th Street, 13^th Floor North. Price: $450

 #500 MH Clients with Mental Illness

Professionals from diverse disciplines may encounter elderly clients with mental health disorders, discovering complex challenges that require skillful attention. In this course, participants will explore practical issues related to geriatric mental health. Group discussion will be emphasized (4 units).

Dates and Times: Mondays, October 5,19,26 and November 2, 16 and 23, 6:00 – 8:00

Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Training Room, 425 East 25^th Street, 13^th Floor North. Price: $360

 #AN1  Home Care

This course will address the components of home care and its important role in geriatric care management. Through class discussions, course materials and assignments, students will learn how to conduct an assessment and safety assessment in the client’s home setting; how to provide realistic and specific recommendations to a family member or client; how to establish a meaningful dialogue with family members, clients, and/or the referring source; and how to work as a member of multidisciplinary team. Dates and Times:  Tuesdays, December 1, 8 and 15, 5:30 – 8:30

Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Training Room, 425 East 25^th Street, 13^th Floor North. Price: $270

 #422 Advanced Directives

This course introduces students to types of advance directives such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, powers of attorneys, health care proxies and living wills. Students learn how to fill out forms, how to advise clients as to when forms may be appropriate and when to seek legal assistance in completing the forms. The new Power of Attorney Forms and rules will be discuss (1 unit) Dates and Times:  Monday, December 7  5:30 – 8:30

Location:  Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Training Room, 425 East 25^th Street, 13^th Floor North. Price: $90

 #1010 Recognizing Medicaid Planning Opportunities

With increasing longevity, the likelihood that most people will require medical intervention and supportive care at some point in the future has increased along with the potential for enormous medical bills and intense service needs. Financing these requires forethought and careful planning, including planning for Medicaid eligibility. This course provides information needed to raise these issues with clients and guidance on when to refer clients to an attorney specializing in elder law for sophisticated Medicaid planning.  Medicaid planning strategies such as transfer of assets, spousal protections, home preservation, the use of trusts and avoiding liens and estate recoveries are discussed Dates and Times: Tuesdays, November 10 and 17 and December 1 and 8, 4:30 – 7:30

Location: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Training Room, 425 East 25^th Street, 13^th Floor North. Price: $360