School of Social Work

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School of Social Work Aging Initiatives

Certificate in Gerontology

Since 1980, the School of Social Work has offered a Gerontology Certificate to all interested MSW students.  For the certificate, a student must complete the four required courses and at least one field placement serving the geriatric population.  Courses for the certificate are:

• Human Behavior: Adult Development and Aging
• Direct Practice with the Elderly
• Social Policy in Gerontology
• One of these electives

• Death and Dying
• Introduction to Psychopharmacology and Social Work Practice

Please note that many students elect to take both of these electives or ask for permission to take courses in gerontology from the wider University as a free elective.  Students should speak to their advisor if interested in pursuing the Certificate or they can contact Dr. Rafael Engel, Gerontology Certificate Chairperson, at rengel@pitt.edu.

Geriatric Teaching Materials

In 2002, the School of Social Work received a GeroRich grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation to infuse aging content throughout the BASW and MSW curricula.  The original grant resulted in an increase in master’s students seeking gerontology field placements, faculty training, infusion of aging content across the curriculum, and purchase of books and media resources for teaching.  Faculty, field instructors and students may use the materials in teaching and project development.  You may download the following file to view resources.  Please contact Beth Mulvaney, HPPAE Program Coordinator, for more information or to gain access to materials (412-624-0036 or eam65@pitt.edu).

Geriatric Resources for Loan.doc

Ongoing Professional Development

The School of Social Work remains committed to the ongoing development of current geriatric social work practitioners.  As such, each semester through its continuing education program, a workshop focusing upon gerontology is offered.  Please go to the Continuing Education web page to download information on all programs (http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/alumni/continuing-education/ ).

Additionally, the same competencies used to train students may be used to work with current professionals.  If your organization would like to discuss opportunities to use these competencies to design professional development, Please contact Beth Mulvaney, HPPAE Program Coordinator, for more information (412-624-0036 or eam65@pitt.edu).