Patient Counseling, Master of Science (M.S.) accelerated chaplain certification concentration/Aging Studies, Certificate in (Graduate certificate) [dual degree and certificate]

Advanced study in patient counseling and aging studies is available through a dual degree and certificate program co-sponsored by the Department of Patient Counseling and the Department of Gerontology in the College of Health Professions.

The program allows students to earn a Master of Science in Patient Counseling with the accelerated chaplain certification concentration and a Certificate in Aging Studies with a minimum of 42 credits rather than the 45 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.

Program goals

The objectives of this dual degree and certificate program are to:

• Prepare graduates to address the complex needs of a diverse aging population using holistic knowledge of the biopsychosocial aging process
• Provide graduates with an understanding of empirically and theoretically based components contributing to optimal aging using evidence-based, best-practice approaches
• Prepare graduates to demonstrate ability to provide care with sensitivity and respect in a diverse population of older people  
• Prepare graduates to work with interprofessional teams in organizations and institutions to benefit and support older people and caregivers

Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree and certificate program are the following:

• Students holding these degrees will be more competitive in both hospital and long-term care institutions. This is especially notable as the aging population in the U.S. increases.

The diplomas for this dual degree and certificate program may be awarded sequentially. However, students must complete a separate graduation check out for each program.

Student learning outcomes

See the individual program pages for student learning outcomes.

Other information

Advising

The student is assigned an adviser from each program to develop a plan of study. Advisers from each program will provide guidance on course requirements for their respective programs.

Admission requirements

Students must meet the admission requirements for each program. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into the other.

The Certificate in Aging Studies program is open to qualified students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent and who have met all general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School

The admission requirements for the Master of Science in Patient Counseling can be found on the program page.

Application procedure

Applicants may apply any time after acceptance into the Master of Science in Patient Counseling program.

Students may contact VCU Graduate Admissions to have their transcripts and letters of recommendation from the Ph.D. application attached to their certificate application. A new personal statement is required.

Dual degree and certificate requirements

As standalone programs, the M.S. comprises 30 credits while the certificate requires 15 credits. The dual degree and certificate program allows students to share two credits, therefore decreasing total credits to completion from 45 to 43.

Based on the equivalent knowledge acquired by successfully completing PATC 635 in the master’s program, GRTY 606 is satisfied in the certificate curriculum. Three credits of this course satisfy the requirements of the certificate, and two credits satisfy the requirements for the M.S. 

Curriculum requirements

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree and certificate program is 43.

Sample plan of study

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree and certificate program is 43.

Contact
Jennifer Pryor
Program director, Department of Gerontology
pryorjm@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1565

Additional contacts
Angela Flack, M.Div.
Program director, Department of Patient Counseling
aflack@vcu.edu
(804) 623-3623