Geriatric Care Manager Professional Certificate

For information contact David Hage, MSW

The geriatric care manager (GCM) certificate program enables students to gain the knowledge and professional skills needed to establish a geriatric care management practice committed to assuring the provision of quality care and to maintaining the best possible quality of life for the elderly. Participants will learn to professionally assess, coordinate, and monitor the health and human services needs of elderly clients and their families, and to understand the impact of the aging process on the individual, the family, the community, and the health care delivery system. Misericordia University’s values of mercy, service, justice and hospitality are embedded throughout the curriculum. Graduates of the program will be prepared to provide leadership to communities in this currently evolving field of practice. The curriculum assures that graduates deliver their professional services in an ethical manner and with respect for cultural and other diversities in the aging population.

A minimum of 15 credits is necessary for the professional certificate and a comprehensive certification test must be passed with a grade of 80% or higher before certification is awarded. Students seeking a professional certificate in geriatric care management must complete an application for admission. The student must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Completion of Social Gerontology (GER 241 ) and Alzheimer’s Disease (GER 365 ) or equivalent is required. Experience will be evaluated in order to meet prerequisite course work.

With the permission of their advisor and the Director of the GCM program, undergraduate students in good academic standing with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in gerontology courses may earn up to six graduate GCM credits while completing the undergraduate gerontology certificate program. Courses are offered to eligible undergraduate students on a space available basis. The graduate credits earned and applied to the undergraduate certificate cannot be applied to the professional GCM certificate. The student would need to complete 15 credits in the GCM program after acquiring a Bachelor’s degree.

Program Goals

1. To ensure a sufficient supply of Professional Geriatric Care Managers who have a holistic view of the geriatric individual and a comprehensive care process.
2. To ensure that the rapidly expanding populations of elderly will be provided with ethical, cultural diverse and professional care reflecting Misericordia University’s values of mercy, justice and hospitality.
3. To prepare practitioners who are capable of developing a business plan and clinical portfolio.
4. To meet the impending global aging crisis by providing timely educational opportunities that will combat the shortfall of professionals in the field of Geriatric Care Management.