Occupational Therapy Doctorate/Certificate in Aging Studies
The dual degree Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Certificate in Aging Studies program allows current OTD students to earn an occupational therapy doctorate degree with a Graduate Certificate of Aging Studies with a minimum of 116 credits rather than the 119 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately.
Student Learning Outcomes
Connect Gerontological Theory to Practice: Students will demonstrate a holistic theoretical understanding of adult development and elderhood from a biological, psychological, social and spiritual perspective and the ability to apply this knowledge to aging, using a strengths-based lifespan orientation.
Integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Gerontological Practice: Students will demonstrate knowledge of how discrimination, oppression and marginalization based on age and intersectional identities impacts health and longevity. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to shape positive attitudes about aging and elderhood.
Develop Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving using gerontological research to evaluate best-practice approaches and the effectiveness of policies and services that support elders, their family members and the community.
Uphold Professional and Ethical Standards: Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in an on-going self-reflective process of their professional gerontological practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to uphold professional standards through individually and collaboratively applying ethical decision making processes.
Identify and Respond to Community Need: Students will demonstrate knowledge of Older Adult Services and will be able to make contributions to community identified needs through the successful delivery of services and effective communication with elders, their families, the community and the public. Community engagement will take the form of field work, research, grant writing, experiential learning opportunities, education and training.
Among the many benefits of participating in the dual degree program are the opportunities to:
- Enhance OTD graduates’ knowledge and skills in caring for older adults, an increasingly significant population in occupational therapy practice
- Increase OTD graduates’ competitiveness in the job market
- Support career advancement by enabling OTD students to specialize in geriatrics
How we do it
- Students are first accepted into the OTD program, and can apply to the dual-degree program in the fall of their first year of the OTD program. Applications are due November 1.
- Students accepted into the dual OTD/Aging certificate program would complete all of the OTD courses in the order and sequence of their cohort.
- Accepted students would complete an additional 4 gerontology courses (one each semester) and complete their capstone on an aging-related topic. Since the Certificate of Aging courses are online, the majority of the “extra” coursework would be completed online during times that are convenient to the student.
How to apply
Students in the first year of the OTD program apply in the fall semester. Applications are due November 1. Existing OTD students can use transcripts from their OTCAS application and request a fee waiver from the Department of Gerontology. A new personal statement is needed. See the Application Process on the Gerontology website.
For more information about this program, please contact:
Jennifer Pryor, Program Director
Department of Gerontology
pryorjm@vcu.edu
Kerry Mader, Assistant Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
maderka@vcu.edu