Continuing Education
Web-based Courses
Advanced Concepts in Gerontology
January 12 - April 30, 2009
Cost: $750
Contact hours: 45
Faculty: ptwigg [at] iupui [dot] edu (Prudence Twigg) , PhD(c), APRN-BC, Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Visitng Lecturer, Indiana University School of Nursing.
Prerequisites: None
Learn how to synthesize theoretical and practice concepts from different disciplines to meet the primary health care needs of the elderly client and his or her family. This course is designed for health care professionals who want to learn more about interdisciplinary care for older adults.
You will:
- Critique psychosocial, developmental, and biological aging theories to determine their relevance for nursing, social work, and other disciplines.
- Analyze the direct and indirect effects of public policy on the health and welfare of the aging individual.
- Critique research findings related to the effects of ethnicity and gender of the individual's experience of aging.
- Analyze ethical issues inherent in public and private policies that affect elderly people.
- Evaluate the response of nursing, social work, and health care systems to the elderly client and his/her family.
- Formulate empirically based strategies for assisting the client to maintain health and/or adjust to illness and loss.
- Synthesize theoretical perspectives and research findings in order to identify variables that influence the client's response to the aging process.
Academic Information
This course may be taken for three hours of academic credit (the academic course number is Y512) rather than to receive a contact hour record. Whether the course is taken for contact hours or academic credit the course requirements are the same. Those who successfully complete the course will receive either a contact hour record or a grade on their transcript.
To register for academic credit, please contact the Center for Academic Affairs, (317) 274-2806 or send e-mail to Janet Moon, Graduate Academic Advisor, oesgrads [at] iupui [dot] edu for current costs and procedures.
Units of Study
- Introduction to Gerontology
- Advanced Roles in Gerontological Practice
- Physical Aging
- Cognitive Aging
- Disability Concepts and Measurement in Aging
- Social Aspects of Aging
- Communication and Teaching with Older Adults and Their Families
- Health Promotion and Aging
- Geriatric Syndromes
- Retirement and Financial Security in Aging
- Politics and Policy of Aging
- End of Life Planning and Care
Each unit will have associated readings and activities. You will be expected to submit written work online and respond online to others' written work, as well as participate in online discussions on course content. The richness of online learning is dependant upon the qualitative participation of all course participants, so you should plan to logon several times each week. As with any Web course, you should plan on spending about one hour a week for each course credit per number of weeks in the semester as well as three to nine hours a week per course credit in reading, preparing assignments to post to the discussion forum, and reading your classmates' postings. For this course, that totals approximately 135 hours.
Required Computer Skills and Software
You should have basic computing skills including word processing, use of PowerPoint, and navigating the Web. For additional information, see the basic computer and software requirements.
Required Textbook and Readings
Wilmoth, J. M., & Ferraro, K. F. (Eds.). (2007). Gerontology: Perspectives and issues (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.
Additional reading assignments will be made from articles available online through the library.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You must enter and participate in the course no later than five days after the course begins.
Written assignments for units (12): 60 percent
Final examination (online): 25 percent
Online participation: 15 percent
To receive contact hours or academic credit all course requirements must be successfully completed within the timeframe of the course. The course is asynchronous and fully online.
Credit Transfer to Another School of Nursing
Most schools of nursing have policies to transfer in six to twelve credits from another school of nursing or allow you to submit a portfolio that can be reviewed for academic credits. You should check with your school of nursing about specific policies.
Costs and Fees
Indiana University School of Nursing alumni qualify for a 10 percent discount registration. To receive this discount, contact the Office of Lifelong Learning at (317) 274-7779 or by e-mail at censg [at] iupui [dot] edu.
For group discounts information, contact the Office of Lifelong Learning at (317) 274-7779 or by e-mail at censg [at] iupui [dot] edu.
Only one discount will apply.
Refund Policy
- 100 percent refundable through the last day of the first full week of the course minus the $60 administrative fee.
- 75 percent refundable through the last day of the second full week of the course minus the $60 administrative fee.
- 50 percent refundable through the last day of the third full week of the course minus the $60 administrative fee.
- 25 percent refundable through the last day of the fourth full week of the course minus the $60 administrative fee
Transfer Fee
Fee applies to those taking the course for continuing nursing education. Other fees may apply if taking the course for academic credit. A $75 transfer fee will be charged when a request to transfer from the currently scheduled course to the next scheduled course is received and approved.
The refund policy will still apply if participant later decides to drop the course. The transfer fee and refund policies apply to individuals and groups taking the course for continuing nursing education.
The Indiana University School of Nursing Office of Lifelong Learning is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission of Accreditation.
