2009-2010 FSU Graduate Bulletin
Certificate Program in the Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy
College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Director and Rod and Hope Brim Eminent Scholar in Economics: David MacPherson (Economics); Mildred and Claude Pepper Eminent Scholar Chair: Quadagno (Sociology); Professors: Barrilleaux (Political Science), Brummel-Smith (Medicine), Charness (Psychology), Fournier (Economics), Weissert (Political Science); Associate Professors: Barrett (Sociology), Reynolds (Sociology); Assistant Professors: Barabas (Political Science), Bokhari (Economics), Rohlinger (Sociology), Taylor (Sociology); Affiliates: Boot, Brooks, Cowart, Ebener, Ferris, Hinterlong, Kelley, LaPointe, Lloyd D., Lloyd J., Miles, Munn, Ohlin, Ouimet, Panton, Pomidor, Ralston, Sachs-Ericsson, Taylor, Vinton
The Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy serves as a focal point for aging research and education on the campus of Florida State University. Resources are devoted to supporting individual and collaborative faculty research projects and funding graduate student education. Research activities include health policy; access to health care and health care financing; aging and social change; income security, work and retirement; social welfare and social security reform; end-of-life issues; Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers; and successful aging. Faculty associates and affiliates from many other colleges are also involved in research activities in cognitive aging, elder abuse, the delivery of social services to older clients, the role of nutrition and exercise in improving the functioning of older people and technology and aging.
The Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy offers special public lectures and conferences as well as an exceptional education outreach program for older adults, The Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Florida State University. Through public education and outreach, the Pepper Institute seeks to teach each new generation the importance of life-long learning and the value of service to others. The Pepper Institute is located in the Pepper Center, which houses state-of-the-art research facilities, a computer lab, conference rooms, and faculty offices.
Certificate in Aging Studies
The Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy administers a graduate Certificate in Aging Studies on behalf of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. The certificate offers opportunities for interdisciplinary education in aging studies and provides an educational credential that documents the additional training and experience that the student has received in the field of aging. This is recorded on the student's official university transcript. To earn the graduate Certificate in Aging Studies, students must complete a total of twelve (12) semester hours and satisfy the requirements in both course work and a practicum in aging studies.
- Students should complete nine (9) semester hours of course work selected from a list of approved aging studies courses. No more than two courses may be taken in the student's major area of study; at least one course must be taken through another department. Approved courses offered for the upcoming semester are listed on the Pepper Institute Web site at http://www.pepperinstitute.org. Select the "Certificate Program" link to view the current semester's approved course listing.
- To complete the internship, students should enroll in ISS 5945, Internship. Graduate students may work in a setting that is associated with service to the elderly. The field experience can include providing direct services to elders or assistance to community organizations involved in planning, research, or policy development related to aging. Alternatively, students may enroll in ISS 5945 and work on a sponsored research project with a sponsoring faculty member in an area related to aging studies.
Selected Course Offerings
ADE 5193 Education and Training in Gerontology (3)
ISS 5945 Internship (3–6)
ISS 5930r Special Topics in Social Science (1–3)
MHS 6938r Special Topics in Counseling Psychology (3)
NGR 5255 Dynamics of Aging (3)
PSY 6919r Seminar in Current Research Topics (1–3)
SOW 5156 Social and Emotional Aspects of Illness (3)
SOW 5646 Aging and Old Age: Social Work with the Aged (3)
SYP 5735 Sociology of Aging (3)
SYP 5737 The Dynamics of Aging and Social Change (3)
URP 5520 The US Health Care System (3)
URP 5522 Regulatory Aspects of Health Care (3)
SYA 6933 Selected Topics in Sociology (3)
Other opportunities for graduate education in the field of aging are available through cooperative programs with various academic departments. For further information, see the appropriate chapter in this Graduate Bulletin. For information, contact gkittendorf@fsu.edu or (850) 644-8829.