University of Maryland Graduate School

In the midst of a demographic shift that will soon see older adults (age 65+) representing more than 20% of the American population, the number of professionals qualified to care for older patients, their caregivers, and families is decreasing. Our graduate certificate in Aging & Applied Thanatology will provide you with the knowledge and skillset to support the bereaved on their grief journeys and to improve the dying process for individuals managing chronic illness in rapidly growing fields experiencing urgent demands for specialized care including:

• Nursing home care

• Hospice and hospital care

• Psychology

• Emergency services

• Social work

• Spiritual guidance

• Patient care

• Bereavement Counseling

Maximum Flexibility

Aging and Applied Thanatology is a 12-credit, four-course graduate certificate program offered in an asynchronous, 100% online environment. This means that we offer maximum flexibility to meet the needs of working professionals. There are no online meetings or set times when you'll need to log in; just submit your coursework before the posted deadline, and check back in for feedback from your instructors and classmates. 

As a student in this program, you will acquire expertise in the study of aging and applied thanatology. Your classmates will most likely be practicing professionals with a health, science, or academic background who are employed or seeking employment in positions requiring this specialization. 

Is an Online Course Right for You?

Program Completion Timeline

• All four courses will be offered at least once each year to enable you to complete the program within one year.

• Participants can start the program at the start of any term.

• Although most students complete the program within one year, you will be allowed up to three years to complete the program.

The Aging and Applied Thanatology certificate is a stackable credential that can be applied toward a Master of Science in Health Sciences or a Master of Science in Health and Social Innovation. 

The 30-credit MS Health Science program is available entirely online and can be completed by a working professional is as little as 18 months. Upon the successful completion of the certificate, all 12 of the credits are completely transferrable to the MS Health Science program and the GRE requirement is waived. This means that when you finish your certificate, you'll be 18 credits away from a Master's degree! Want to know more about the 18 credits? See the core curriculum

The 36-42 credit MS Gerontology program is available as an online program can be completed by a working professional in as little as 24 months. Upon the successful completion of the certificate, all 12 of the credits are completely transferrable to the MS Gerontology.  This means that when you finish your certificate, if you choose you'll be 24-30 credits away from a Master's degree! Check out the curriculum for the MS in Gerontology.

If you prefer to complete the Master’s and certificate coursework concurrently, please submit your application for the Master’s program. In this case, the GRE requirement will not be waived.