Innovations in Aging
Graduate Certificate
Quick Facts
Age-Friendly
University
- Age-Friendly University Global Network, 2024
Top 1%
of all Higher-Ed
Institutions
- Center for World University Rankings, 2025
The fully online Graduate Certificate in Innovations in Aging prepares students and working professionals from a variety of disciplines to address the opportunities and challenges of an aging population. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, students develop foundational knowledge to promote age inclusivity and improve the well-being of individuals across the life course within today’s social, economic, and health care systems. The certificate requires 13 graduate credits and can typically be completed in one year.
Students may complete the certificate as a standalone credential or alongside a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree. All certificate credits apply directly toward the Master of Science in Innovations in Aging, providing a seamless pathway for students who choose to continue their education.
The curriculum aligns with standards established by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), preparing students with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue professional certification through the National Association of Professional Gerontologists (NAPG).
The certificate is one of 20 Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) approved by the Arizona Board of Regents, bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines to support innovative teaching, research, and collaboration.
The program is affiliated with the Arizona Center on Aging, which advances the quality of life for older adults through research, education, clinical care, and community engagement.
Prospective students must have at least either a bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in any discipline or graduate status (e.g. PharmD students).
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
Courses
The graduate certificate program consists of 13 units of graduate credit, offered in a series of one-credit, 5-week online courses over the span of two semesters – or spread out over time to accommodate your busy schedule. The following are examples of courses:
This introductory course sets the stage for a human and experiential understanding of aging and the life experience of older adults. Learning will take a practical, theoretical and humanistic look with emphasis on ageism, life course, person/environment interaction, autonomy, self-determination, inter-dependence, and inter-vulnerability.
This course will provide a high-level review of everyday ethics along with special attention to issues related to aging and older adults such as elder protection. Emphasis will be placed on professional standards, so students are able to distinguish between and communicate around ethical issues while working with older adults and their families.
The focus of this course is on understanding aging as a biological and psychological phenomenon. Students will explore biological explanations for how and why aging occurs and normal versus abnormal aging changes as well as biological and psychological phenomena. Finally, psychological perspectives will be considered including stages of growth and development.
This course is designed to assist students in exploring aging as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Sociological theories of aging will be explored. Life-course theory and ethnogerontological theory will be used to frame aging from the perspective of human diversity. Students will explore ways in which aging and the experience of aging differs based on gender, race, socio-economic status, and culture.
This course looks at aging as it is portrayed and communicated through cultural and artistic artifacts such as movies, books, art, theatre and music. Students will be challenged to reflect on their own experience with such artifacts as well as integrating this experience with other perspectives on aging.
The goal of this course is to provide students with a beginning understanding of research strategies used with older adults so students are able to evaluate new information on aging and its sources (popular media and research publications) and to determine the appropriateness and applicability of research evidence.
This course provides an opportunity for students to synthesize biological, psychological, sociological and humanistic perspectives of aging and apply it in real-world and relevant scenarios. Additionally, new theoretical models and tools will be introduced to aid students in thinking about and reflecting on the aging process.
Students will learn about terminology and common derogatory communication patterns that present in discussions with or about older adults. Students will also learn how to apply the skills necessary to find, engage and participate in interdisciplinary and community collaboration in the areas of research, policy, provision of support, services and other opportunities.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Graduate Certificate in Innovations in Aging will build core skills, including:
- Aging-related challenges & opportunities
- Biological, psychological, social, cultural, theoretical, humanistic and ethical understandings of aging
- Community engagement
- Technology and innovations in an aging world
- Models of care and community-based support resources
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Interprofessional communication
- Problem solving
Potential Career Paths
Graduates of the Innovations in Aging Graduate Certificate program will be prepared to pursue careers in the following fields:
