Gerontology - Aging Services Professional

Group of residents in an assisted living facility sitting around a table and chatting over coffee

Gerontology - Aging Services Professional

Unique in the State

Associate Degree

61 Credits | 2 Years

Multiple Start Dates | Financial Aid-Eligible

Ashland*,  New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*

Outreach Centers: Balsam Lake*, Hayward*, Ladysmith*

*Combination of Online and Your Choice instruction.

Career Cluster: Health Sciences

The Gerontology-Aging Services Professional program is designed to meet the emerging and rapidly growing demand for service providers needed to work with the aging population. It is ideal for people entering the job market or choosing to enhance their current careers in service delivery or leadership roles within the gerontology field. 


 

The Gerontology-Aging Services Professional program is now the second associate degree program in the United States to achieve national accreditation through the Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council. (AGEC)


 

Program Overview

You will acquire comprehensive and interdisciplinary training to prepare you to work with older adults in a variety of positions and in diverse settings such as community, non-profit, and government agencies, counseling centers, adult care, memory care, senior centers, home health care, assisted living, long-term care, nursing homes, group homes, hospitals, hospice, and business and industry. This innovative and flexible program blends online and experiential learning with community-based fieldwork (135 hours) and is designed to fit into busy life schedules. You can choose part-time or full-time program options and mix and match coursework.

Program Outcomes

Gerontology - Aging Services Professional graduates will be able to:

  • Evaluate the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of aging throughout the lifespan
  • Exhibit ethical and legal practice consistent with a gerontology professional
  • Distinguish the role of the gerontology professional in the coordination of service delivery
  • Cultivate an age-friendly community

This program blends online and live experiential learning and community-based fieldwork, ideal for pursuing or enhancing your career. Choose part-time or full-time program options. Mix and match coursework. Take one course, earn a short-term credential or the full associate degree.

Senior couple laughing

High-future demand. 

Mom and Daughter hugging and smiling

Flexible and innovative. 

Aging adult playing with dogs

Designed to fit a busy life. 


Academics

This program nationally trains and prepares the up-and-coming and existing workforce for the expanding population of older adults.

 

Enhance your education and marketability by double-majoring in any of the following programs: Nursing – Associate Degree, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Paramedic Technician, EMT-Paramedic, Nursing Assistant, Human Services Associate, Human Resource Management, and other business programs. Now offering a career pathway from nursing assistant to the associate degree in gerontology.

 

Gerontology – Aging Services Professional classes are offered fully online, at all four campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior), and the three outreach centers (Balsam Lake, Hayward, Ladysmith).

Flexible Learning Options

Accelerated, 8-week evening courses offered through convenient virtual and in-person options. Maintain a work/life balance with part-time and full-time schedule options.

Cutting Edge & Interactive

Simulation equipment builds empathy through virtual aging experiences such as dementia, vision/hearing loss, and mobility impairments.

Stackable, Career-Enhancing Credentials

Start or enhance your career through embedded credentials in Dementia Care and Gerontology for Professionals. Single courses and pathways certificates are eligible for Start College Now.


Required Courses

Coursework addresses physical, social, psychological, legal, emotional, ethical and spiritual aspects of aging throughout the lifespan. Program specific subjects explore the wide spectrum of services available and how to work with older adults and caregivers in your community. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Gerontology - Aging Services Professional Courses

10544105
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Examine the signs, symptoms and stages of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and how these diseases affect physiology and brain function. This course focuses on the principles of communicating and providing care to individuals with memory loss and confusion while learning the best practices for dealing with behavior changes, challenges with the activities of daily living, and strategies to assist caregivers.
10544107
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Explore societal, cultural, and personal views of death, dying, and bereavement. Examine losses experienced during the course of aging beyond the physical and emotional process of death and dying. Determine strategies for healthy transitions in coping with loss.
10544112
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Examine the scope, values, and principles of the gerontology profession. Coursework introduces the typical roles and duties of aging services professionals. Students assess their own motivations, attitudes, and interests. In addition to the regular classroom hours, observation and fieldwork in a community-based setting working with older adults is required. Students must complete or have on file current, valid Background Information Disclosure (BID) and Caregiver Background Check (Wisconsin and/or Minnesota) forms, as part of this course. PREREQUISITE: 10544108 Developing the Gerontology Professional, 10544112 Ethics in Human Services and COREQUISITES: Successful completion or co-enrollment in all other core program courses.

Gerontology - Aging Services Professional is Part of a Career Pathway

As a Gerontology - Aging Services Professional student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way! 

You could take this first and get a credential.

Pathway Certificate
12 Credits / 2 semesters
Potential Careers
Hospitals, Hospice, Home Health Care and Assisted Living, Long Term Care, Nursing Homes and Group Homes, Adult Care, Senior Centers, Community, Non- Profit and Government Agencies, Counseling Centers, Business and Industry
Arrow pointing down

Pathway Certificate
12 Credits / 2 Semesters
Potential Careers
Hospitals, Hospice, Home Health Care and Assisted Living, Long Term Care, Nursing Homes and Group Homes, Adult Care, Senior Centers, Community, Non- Profit and Government Agencies, Counseling Centers, Business and Industry
Arrow pointing down

This is the program you’re looking at.

Associate Degree
61 Credits / 2 Years Full Time; Part Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Aging Services Provider, Advocacy Specialist, Geriatric Care Specialist, Dementia Care Specialist/Provider, Benefits Coordinator, Client Navigation Specialist, Activity/Recreation Coordinator, Housing/ Transportation Specialist, Program Planner
Arrow pointing down

Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree.


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Gerontology - Aging Services Professional

61 Credits | 2 Years

$9,869


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Gerontology - Aging Services Professional Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn certificates in Dementia Care and Gerontology for Healthcare Professionals, and an associate degree in Gerontology - Aging Services Professional. 

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Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education

The Northwood Tech Gerontology - Aging Services Professional program is a member of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education. The purpose of the AGHE is to foster the commitment of higher education to the field of aging through education, research and public service. 

Learn More

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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