Aging studies

Undergraduate Certificate
Online
delivery
$409 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms

Aging can change individuals, families and communities physically, socially and psychologically — and those shifts require effective responses. When you earn your Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies online from Oregon State University, you’ll learn to serve and support people who are aging while enhancing your employability in an increasingly important field.

This program will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to apply gerontology theories and research into practice. Study aging’s ecological contexts and public policy impacts and learn the methods by which public health professionals identify potential causes of population health issues later in life.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online aging studies certificate program

As a student in Oregon State’s online aging studies certificate program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world experience in the field.

  • Healthcare systems
  • Epidemiology
  • Chronic disease
  • Evidence-based management
  • Psychological assessment
A gray haired man sits holding a guitar next to a gray haired woman who is singing along
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2026 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

Study the process of aging and how it impacts individuals and their communities in this interdisciplinary certificate program. Electives in subjects such as nutrition, ethics, sociology and healthcare management let you tailor your experience to meet your career goals. Put your lessons to work through field study and research projects.

The online aging studies certificate program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Health.

Certificate requirements

A total of 27 quarter credits are required to earn your aging studies certificate. Curriculum details and certificate requirements are available on Oregon State’s academic catalog.

Additional program features

While earning your aging studies undergraduate certificate, you will complete 3-6 credits of a field study or a project, which will enable you to use and practice the skills you learn in the online classroom in a hands-on setting. You’ll work one-on-one with the program’s advisor to identify an opportunity that meets your learning goals and career aspirations.

Depending on your educational background, you may need to complete additional coursework prior to enrolling in this program and taking the required certificate courses. We recommend that you evaluate this prior to applying for admission.

Once you complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies, you can apply the credits you earn directly toward Oregon State’s bachelor’s degrees in human development and family sciences or in public health.

If you plan to apply these credits toward a full degree, we encourage you to first contact the certificate program to learn about the degree requirements. Please note that acceptance into a certificate program does not guarantee acceptance into a full degree program.

Applying credits like this, an approach known as stacking, can help you build credentials over time and advance your career. It's also a great way to test a field of study through a series of courses before committing to a full degree program. For students like Ali Lanenga, stacking can make a journey to a degree feel more manageable.

The U.S. Department of Education has approved this certificate for federal financial aid when included in a full degree program. Approval for federal aid for the standalone certificate is currently pending. In the meantime, alternate funding sources (such as private loans or scholarships) may be needed.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a microcredential online from Oregon State. Choose from a large and growing collection of these short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.