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Course Information

Certificate Course Descriptions

Certificate Course Descriptions is also available as a downloadable PDF.

GERN G231 Introduction to Gerontology
This course is a survey of the field of gerontology, including basic theoretical, methodological, and factual content drawn from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Background material on the demographic, health, physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging is provided. Structured opportunities for practical field observation and experience with the aged are included.

GERN G399 Independent Study in Gerontology 
P:G231 and consent of instructor. This course provides an opportunity for students to independently pursue a gerontological problem or issue. With guidance from an instructor, students identify a topic they would like to study in-depth. This course is especially appropriate for gerontological interests that span more than one discipline.

GERN G494 Gerontology Practicum 
P:G231 and consent of instructor. Field experience in a setting involving adults 60 years or older, according to the interests and objectives of each student. Work will be supervised by the instructor and setting personnel. Provides an opportunity to apply gerontological theory and findings in a practical context.

GERN G499 Topics in Gerontology Cr. 1-6
P:G231. Specific topics announced each semester the course is offered. Examples of course content include legal and economic aspects of aging; health issues in aging; and business and marketing issues and older adults. May be repeated once for credit.

ANTH E421 The Anthropology of Aging
This course explores age and the aging process cross-culturally by looking at the specific cultural context in which individuals age and by analyzing similarities and differences across cultures.

AUS 430 Speech-Language Disorders in Healthcare Settings
P: 5 semester credits in speech pathology or consent of instructor. Presents speech-language disorders across the lifespan encountered in a variety of healthcare settings. Discusses the etiology, evaluation, and management of these disorders. Addresses administrative structures, team approaches, and reimbursement issues in healthcare settings.

AUS 549 Clinical Practice in Speech/Language Pathology I Cr. 1-8
P: 420, 449, 521 or equivalents, with a grade of B or better in each course. R: 430 or equivalent and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit. The second in a series of practicum courses designed to provide instruction and practical experience in fundamental diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to speech and language disorders.

BIOL 327 Biology of Aging
This course presents a basic understanding of how the human body ages from the biological standpoint. The student will gain an understanding of biological and physiological changes associated with aging in various organ systems. Discussions of potential intervention strategies and ways to extend the quality of life during aging will be presented. The course is primarily geared toward the student interested in obtaining a certificate in gerontology. Cannot be used as a group A or B elective for biology majors.

COM 490 Internship in Communication Cr. 1-3
P: 114, first course in area, and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit. Experiential, supervised training in public relations, journalism, telecommunication, oral interpretation, speech education, organizational communication, or public communication. Usually taken in junior or senior year.

FNN 302 Nutrition Education
Basic nutrition and its application to current trends and controversies. Emphases placed on teaching techniques and communicating sound nutritional concepts to the lay audience. For nonscience majors.

FNN 303 Essentials of Nutrition
Credit not given for both FNN 303 and 315. Basic nutrition and its application in meeting nutritional needs of all ages.

HSRV 351 Human Services for the Elderly
[Proposed] This course will provide: skills needed to navigate the service delivery system for elders, an understanding of the social, biological, psychological, legal, financial and health related issues affecting elders and the barriers to accessing services. Methods: reading, visiting social service agencies, interaction with elders, students, faculty and guest speakers.

HSRV 400 Internship I Cr. 1-4
P: 315, 320; P or C: 401. This course will provide experiential learning related to human service agencies. Students will be assigned to a human service agency and work with an agency supervisor to apply knowledge of case management skills including intake, client assessment, and development and implementation of intervention plans. Course is limited to students admitted to the B.S. in human services program.

HSRV 401 Internship Seminar I Cr. 1
C: HSRV 400. This course will focus on professionalism, ethical issues, and social welfare policy as applied with human service clients and agencies. Course is limited to students admitted to the B.S. in human services program.

HSRV 450 Internship II Cr. 2-4
P: 400, 401; C: 451. This course will provide advanced experiential learning related to human service agencies. Students will be assigned to a human service agency and work with an agency supervisor to apply knowledge of program evaluation, legal implications related to human service practice, and management issues related to directing human service programs. Course is limited to students admitted to the B.S. in human services program.

HSRV 451 Internship Seminar II Cr. 1
P: 400, 401; C: 450. This course will provide a forum for discussion of advanced theories and skills applicable to developing, assessing, and managing human service agencies. Topics will include program evaluation, legal implications related to human service practice, and management issues related to implementing human service programs. Course is limited to students admitted to the B.S. in human services program.

HTM 301 Hospitality and Tourism Industry Practicum Cr. 1
P: 6 credits in HTM or consent of program coordinator. Training and practical experience at the entry level, totaling at least 300 hours in an approved hospitality or tourism operation.

HTM 302 Hospitality and Tourism Industry Internship Cr. 1-2
Supervised and structured industry practical experience. Requires signed learning agreement between student and employer prior to initiating internship; a minimum of 400 work hours for each credit hour. Maximum number of credit hours given for a summer experience is one. Maximum number of credits given in a semester experience is two. 

MUS L340 Music Therapy in Healthcare Settings
P: X296, X298, or permission of director of Gerontology Program or director of Music Therapy Program. Study of music therapy methods and materials commonly used in assessment and treatment of children, adults, and the elderly in healthcare settings, with emphasis on stress management, relaxation, rehabilitation, and pain management. (spring, even years)

MUS L353 Music Therapy Practicum II Cr. 1
P: L254, X296, C298. Students provide services to elderly/geriatric individuals or groups focusing on the development of treatment interventions and plans. Involves clinical hours and attendance at weekly seminar. Liability insurance required. (fall)

MUS L423 Advanced Music Therapy Practicum Cr. 1-3
P: L340, L421, permission of music therapy director. An advanced, intensive field work course where students provide two or three hours of clinical music therapy services in a community agency. May involve program planning, techniques development, and/or a research project. Development of a learning contract is required. Liability insurance required. (fall, spring)

MUS L424 Music Therapy Internship Cr. 1-2
P: All degree-required course work must be successfully completed prior to registration. Acceptance to internship program required prior to registration. A six-month internship completed under the supervision of a professional and credentialed music therapist at an AMTA approved clinical site. Course must be completed within two years of the completion of all course work. Internship must be completed before conferring of the degree. Liability insurance required. (fall, spring, summer)

MUS U410 Creative Arts, Health, and Wellness
P: Sophomore standing and completion of one course in artistic expression or the equivalent. Overview of the use of creative arts and action-oriented experiences throughout the lifespan. Involves the study of creativity and applications designed to facilitate healthy living practices, wellness, and personal growth from a humanistic perspective. Students will create, design, and lead creative arts experiences by the semester’s end. No artistic performances are required. (fall, odd years)

NUR 399 Special Topics: Gerontological Nursing Cr. 1-6
Hours, credit, and subject matter to be arranged by staff. Repeatable up to 9 credits.

NUR 490 Nursing Practicum Cr. 1-3
Provides the student an opportunity to develop an individualized practicum experience in the specialty of geriatrics. Based on the student’s goals, sites are selected through faculty and student collaboration. One credit hour requires 45 hours of clinical practicum.

PHIL 312 Medical Ethics
A critical examination of various issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, the healthcare system, and experimentation on humans. Topics will be dealt with from medical, ethical, religious, and legal perspectives.

PHIL 480 Practicum in Applied Ethics
P: junior class standing and consent of instructor. Students will be assigned a definite task relevant to their educational interests in applied ethics. Students may be placed in appropriate cooperating local social-service agencies, educational institutions, legal services offices, businesses, or medical facilities. Work will be supervised by the department and the agency. Research and written reports will be required.

POLS Y398 Internship in Urban Institutions Cr. 1-6
P: consent of instructor. This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to observe or participate directly in the policymaking process of those urban institutions requesting the assistance of paraprofessionals. Research and written reports are required. Evaluations will be made by both the agency and the instructor. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students working in city and county institutions may repeat the course. (fall, spring, summer)

POLS Y482 Practicum Cr. 1-6 
P: consent of instructor. Faculty-directed study of aspects of the political process based upon field experience. Directed readings, field research, research papers. May be repeated for credit. (fall, spring, summer)

PSY 367 Adult Development and Aging
P: Sophomore class standing; PSY 235 or PSY 369; R: ENG W233. Theory and research on adult development from young adulthood through the elderly years. Course covers biological, cognitive, personality, and social issues. Topics include vocational choice, marriage, parenthood, the empty nest, menopause, memory and aging, retirement, widowhood, longevity, death and dying.

PSY 371 Death and Dying
P: Junior class standing; PSY 120 (or equivalent); R: ENG W233. A multidisciplinary, empirically-based consideration of emotions, behaviors, and cognitions related to death and the process of dying. Topics include cultural and historical differences in concepts of dying, grief, and bereavement; individual differences related to preparation, adjustment, and coping, as well as discussion of special topics (e.g., hospice care, physician-assisted suicide, media coverage of death and dying).

PSY 480 Field Experience in Psychology
P: consent of instructor. Supervised volunteer field work experiences in a setting appropriate to students’ interests and goals. Intended as an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. (May be repeated once for credit with permission of instructor.)

SOC S314 Social Aspects of Health and Medicine
P: SOC S161; either ENG W233 or SOC S260 (or equivalent); or consent of instructor. Group characteristics in the causation, amelioration, and prevention of mental and physical illness, and the social influences in medical education, medical practice, and hospital administration.

SOC S331 Sociology of Aging
P: SOC S161; either ENG W233 or SOC S260 (or equivalent); or consent of instructor. Social aspects of aging and older adulthood. Topics include myths about aging; the process of aging, sexual behavior, social relationships, family relationships, religious activities, and leisure of the elderly.

SOC S494 Field Experience in Sociology
P: SOC S161; either ENG W233 or SOC S260 (or equivalent). Class restricted to sociology majors with senior class standing. Faculty-directed study of aspects of sociology based on field experience in conjunction with directed readings and writing. Students are trained in using their sociology understanding and skills in working at diagnosing and developing research projects and/or social change interventions for social organizations in the community.

SPEA H411 Chronic and Long-Term Care Administration
Administering programs across the continuum of care including nursing homes, hospice, home health, and assisted living; Medicare and Medicaid financing; quality improvement; care management; and needs of special populations, particularly, vulnerable elders.

SPEA V380 Internship in Public Affairs Cr. 1-6
P: permission of instructor. Open to interested students upon approval of the faculty. Students are placed with public agencies or governmental units for assignment to a defined task relevant to their educational interests in public affairs. Tasks may involve staff work or research. Full-time participants may earn up to 6 credits. May be repeated for credit. Course is graded S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory).

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