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Is gerontology ready for accreditation?
William E Haley1, Kenneth F Ferraro, Rhonda J V Montgomery
1School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA. whaley@usf.edu
Gerontology & Geriatrics Education
|February 1, 2012
Summary
Gerontology currently lacks key elements for professional accreditation, unlike fields such as clinical psychology. Future accreditation may suit applied gerontology programs, but other options exist to boost graduate employability.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Higher Education
- Professional Accreditation
Background:
- Widely accepted criteria for program accreditation are reviewed.
- Gerontology is compared with established accredited fields like clinical psychology and social work.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current suitability of professional accreditation for gerontology programs.
- To identify challenges and potential future pathways for gerontology accreditation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of accreditation criteria.
- Review of essential elements for professional credentialing.
Main Results:
- Gerontology currently lacks a defined scope of practice, applied curriculum, qualified faculty, and necessary resources for accreditation.
- Weak accreditation requirements risk being dismissed as "vanity" accreditation.
- Strict requirements may be unattainable for resource-limited programs.
Conclusions:
- Professional accreditation is not currently feasible for gerontology due to missing foundational elements.
- Future accreditation might be appropriate for applied or professional gerontology programs (Bachelor's/Master's).
- Alternative strategies should be explored to enhance gerontology graduate skills and employability.
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