Our diploma helps you to expand you knowledge and employment opportunities within the gerontology field. Graduates are to find entry-level jobs in settings such as:

• nursing homes
• personal care/assisted living communities
• home health care
• senior centers and hospice care

We also offer the opportunity for you to continue your education and earn a certificate  or associate degree in gerontology. Or, pursue further study in related areas, such as:

• Allied health
• Management
• Marketing
• Nursing
• Social work

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From our leading professors, you will explore the skills needed for caring for our aging population. As part of this diploma, you will complete 20 hours of volunteering and gain knowledge in the areas of:

• Allied health
• Gerontology
• Mental health
• Social service

By completing our diploma, you will:

• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
• Utilize current technologies, tools and applications
• Discuss the basic demographics of aging
• Apply basic principles of gerontology to social and health issues
• Recognize differences between normal aging and disease-related aging
• Summarize the physical, mental, social and psychological aspects of aging
• Articulate skills and perspectives necessary to develop an empathetic relationship with an older person
• Identify the need for teamwork to provide optimal care for the aging population

• View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.

• Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.

Yes! Although this program is designed to lead you directly into the workforce, your coursework can transfer into our certificate or associate degree in gerontology.

All the courses within this 17-credit diploma roll into the 30-credit Gerontology certificate. Similarly, all the courses in the 30-credit certificate roll into the 61-credit Gerontology AAS. At each degree completion, you may apply to graduate from that degree. As a result, when you graduate from HACC with an AAS in gerontology, you will also have two other degrees gerontology from HACC!

Saint Francis University - Francis Worldwide:

Gerontology (A.A.S.) (pdf)

Our diploma may be completed entirely online through virtual learning.

Yes! Through the HACC Foundation, there are approximately 200 scholarships available. Please visit hacc.edu/scholarships for details and deadlines.

You can enroll anytime for classes in the spring, summer and fall. Visit our website and submit your application using the specific program code 0231. This code ensures you apply for the correct program.

Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.

Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.