The Geriatric Care Assistant Technical Certificate provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to qualify employment as a nurse aide in nursing homes, elder personal care homes, and home healthcare agencies. The certificate emphasizes geriatric patients care, CPR, and first aid. Students successfully completing the certificate are eligible to be placed on the State Registry for nurse aides.
Employment Opportunities
Gerontology is the physical, mental, and sociological study of aging. It includes the study of changes in adults as they age, how society changes with an aging population, and how we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults. A degree in gerontology prepares the student for careers working with older adults or as advocates for the elderly. Gerontology is a diverse field with career opportunities in human services, government agencies, retirement communities, nursing homes, health care, and long-term institutional care. Gerontologists serve as social workers, nursing aides, social scientists, and healthcare managers. Careers for gerontologists are numerous because they include almost any profession in which an older person is cared for and assisted.
Admissions Criteria
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 16 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
55 |
60 |
34 |
NA |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
224 |
236 |
229 |
NA |
| Compass |
70 |
32 |
26 |
NA |
| SAT |
16 |
15 |
18 |
NA |
| SAT |
270 |
280 |
310 |
NA |
| ACT |
14 |
13 |
14 |
NA |
| ASSET |
37 |
38 |
32 |
NA |
| PSAT |
16 |
15 |
18 |
NA |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
145 |
NA |
| TABE |
461 |
NA |
442 |
NA |
Curriculum
This certificate will require 6 classes for a total of 15 credit hours.
Program Courses
Occupational Courses (15 Credit Hours)
Select ALHS 1040 or ALHS 1060
| ALHS 1040 | Introduction to Health Care | 3 |
| Or | |
| ALHS 1060 | Diet and Nutrition for Allied Health Sciences | 2 |
| ALHS 1090 | Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences | 2 |
| GERT 1000 | Understanding the Geronotological Client | 2 |
| GERT 1020 | Behavioral Aspects of Aging | 2 |
| GERT 1030 | Gerontological Nutrition | 1 |
Nurse Aide Course Selection (Select 1)
Program Costs
Tuition: ($100 per credit hour) $1,500
Fees: ($385 per semester) $770
Books/Supplies: $350
Liability Insurance: Liability Insurance (click to find your program)
Course Supply Fees: Health Care (click to find individual course fees)
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)