Learn to Enhance and Support the Needs of Older Adults
The Certificate in Elder Care Foundations is designed to prepare healthcare professionals, career changers, and community members to understand and support the needs of older adults. The program integrates cultural, social, economic, health, and ethical perspectives on aging with practical caregiving and advocacy skills. Students will gain the ability to recognize the cultural, social, political, spiritual, health, and economic components of aging; provide basic care for elder clients; and advocate effectively for older adults and their families
Certificate Requirements
To earn a professional certificate in Elder Care Foundations, participants must:
- Complete four courses - (8.0 graduate level extension credits)
- Complete all coursework with a final grade of C or better
- Submit a one-time certificate fee of $75
Learn more about the University of San Diego's Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Benefits and Policies.
Schedule and Fees
Our Online Self-Paced courses are open year round.
| Complete the following four courses: | Instructional Method / Duration | Open 2026 | Open 2027 | Open 2028 |
Fee* |
|
HLTH-X823 The Aging Experience: Cultural, Social, and Economic Perspectives |
Online Self-Paced, Up to 180 days to complete |
Enroll Anytime |
Enroll Anytime |
Enroll Anytime |
$399 |
|
HLTH-X824 Health and Wellness in Older Adults |
Online Self-Paced, Up to 180 days to complete |
Enroll After 9/1/26 |
Enroll Anytime |
Enroll Anytime |
$399 |
|
HLTH-X825 Fundamentals of Elder Care and Support |
Online Self-Paced, Up to 180 days to complete |
X | Enroll Anytime |
Enroll Anytime |
$399 |
|
HLTH-X826 Advocacy and Ethics in Elder Care |
Online Self-Paced, |
X |
Enroll After 5/1/27 |
Enroll Anytime |
$399 |
Learning Method Information
Online Self-Paced
Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.
How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
- Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
- Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
- Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
- Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
- Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.
Curriculum
Materials will be specifically created solely for these courses - all original.
Learner Outcomes
- Understand and support the needs of older adults
- Learn practical caregiving and advocacy skills
- Recognize the cultural, social, political, spiritual, health, and economic components of aging
- Learn to advocate effectively for older adults and their families
Who Should Attend
The program is intended for healthcare professionals (such as nurses, social workers, case managers, therapists) seeking additional knowledge; professionals transitioning into healthcare careers; and community members or family caregivers seeking to understand elder care options while developing caregiving and advocacy skills.
Benefits
With the rapid growth of the aging population, there is significant demand for professionals and community members who understand the complexities of elder care. Healthcare professionals require refresher training in geriatrics, while career changers and new entrants seek accessible entry points into the field. Families and community caregivers also need practical skills and advocacy knowledge to support aging loved ones. This program fills a critical gap by providing interdisciplinary training that is both professional and community-facing.