Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging Graduate Certificate
Aging is natural. Help older populations maintain their quality of life by learning to support them through life’s changes.
- Offered 100% Online.
- 1 year
- 15 credit hours
- No thesis required
- No foreign language credits required
Advocate for Seniors
As people age, their needs change, and someday, they may lose the ability to advocate for themselves. Take your skills to the next level with our Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging graduate certificate. As you earn your graduate certificate, you’ll learn about physical, cognitive and social issues experienced in older adulthood in order to help seniors retain their dignity through the aging process.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
Our graduate certificate can help empower you to pursue several rewarding careers.
Career possibilities
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Curriculum
This fully online, 15-hour program is designed to enhance the skills of professionals working with older adults in business, medical or social settings. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the physical, psychological and developmental impacts of aging, along with ethical principles pertinent to this potentially vulnerable population.
To earn this certificate, you must complete the following courses:
- PSY 545: Developmental Psychology or COUN 545: Developmental Issues/Strategy in Counseling
- PSY 582: Cognitive Aging
- PSY 593: Health Psychology
- PSY 594: Ethical Issues in Organization
- PSY 598: Psychology of Gerontology
You can pursue this certificate as a stand-alone program or alongside earning a master’s or doctoral degree. For more information, please contact Dr. Lacy Krueger.
Taking Classes
Our 15-credit-hour Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging graduate certificate program is designed to build on your previous education to prepare you for leadership roles in aging services and gerontological psychology.
Fully Online
Study at your own pace, wherever you may be. Designed for both current professionals and those seeking to advance their knowledge, our graduate certificate offers a flexible, fully online format. For up-to-date details on course offerings, please refer to the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.
Adding Value with Certificates
Boost your expertise. Earning additional certificates in aging services, mental health or leadership can help you hone the skills to stand out in your career.
Talent Development Graduate Certificate
This certificate prepares you to train employees to be leaders in the workplace. With this certificate you will be able to find careers in and related to human resource development.
Instructional Design Graduate Certificate
This certificate program prepares you to create top-notch curricula. Once you complete this certificate, you’ll be eligible to begin your career as an instructional designer, training coach or other related path.
Teaching Psychology Graduate Certificate
The Teaching of Psychology graduate certificate will help you prepare to teach undergraduate psychology courses, particularly at community colleges where a master's degree or doctorate is not required.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Lacy Krueger, Ph.D.
Faculty
Maria Carlson, Ph.D.
Faculty
Karin Tochkov, Ph.D.
Faculty
Student Organizations
Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.
As a Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging graduate certificate program student, you can connect with peers through online networks, attend webinars and conferences and take on leadership roles. You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate on research projects, expanding your knowledge and professional network in the field.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Once admitted, you must:
- Submit a Completion of Certificate Request while taking your final graduate certificate courses.
- Earn a 3.0 GPA on all required coursework (No course substitutions may be applied to graduate certificates)
Admission Process
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.complete a thesis prior to doctoral candidacy (empirical thesis can be completed in our program en route to the dissertation and doctoral candidacy).
If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Note: International students interested in graduate certificates must do so in conjunction with a graduate degree.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator or more information.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Psychology and Special Education
- 903-886-5940
- [email protected]