Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Gerontology Advocacy, Career Pathway certificate

Why choose the Gerontology Advocacy Career Pathway certificate at PCC?

The 39-credit advocacy certificate is designed to advance the knowledge and develop the skills of those working with older persons to support them in navigating health, care, aging services, and other systems, and in finding and utilizing the resources and services they need to thrive. The certificate is also appropriate for any professional working on policy and program development in aging, disability, and related services to enhance their ability to advocate effectively, to collaborate with other professionals and diverse stakeholders, and to ensure accessibility, equity, and inclusion for the clients with whom they work.

The courses in this Career Pathway certificate are wholly contained within the state-approved Gerontology AAS degree and are financial aid and veterans benefits eligible.

Salary

• Social or Human Services Assistants: $13.75 to $19.53 per hour or $40,622 per year
• Case Managers or Social Services Coordinators: $422.49 to $30.65 per hour or $63,752 per year

Award information

Awards with a icon can be earned completely online, or you can choose a mix of online and on-campus classes.

Learn more about Gerontology and all 6 awards available »

What will you learn?

Students completing this certificate will be able to:

• Use Gerontological research and theories to plan, implement, and contribute to programs, policies, and social change strategies for and with older persons in professional, institutional, and community settings.
• Communicate, collaborate, and access appropriate resources and services while working with other professionals and diverse stakeholders to advocate with and on behalf of older persons.
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards appropriate to one’s Gerontological areas of specialty while managing one’s career and taking advantage of continuing learning opportunities.

Courses

Course listing for the 2020-2021 catalog year.

What will you do?

Depending on their prior experience and education, Gerontology Advocacy certificate graduates assume positions in aging services, long-term care, and healthcare with job titles like the following:

• Aging Life Manager
• Care Manager
• Care and Service Coordinator
• Community and Social Service Specialist (or Manager)
• Healthcare Navigator
• Personal Advocate
• Social and Human Services Assistant
• Social Services Coordinator
• Social Services Navigator