Students may be eligible for a practicum waiver (equivalent to one semester hour) for previous but recent aging-related experience. Please note that the previous experience being used for the waiver may be paid or volunteer. All waivers are subject to the approval of the Practicum Coordinator.
In order to apply for a practicum waiver, the student must obtain a letter from the agency or organization where the experience occurred that includes the following:
- Dates of employment or volunteer work.
- Average hours per week.
- Brief job description and/or title.
- A statement that the experience was aging-related or gerontological in focus.
- That the student performed satisfactorily in the position.
If the waiver is approved, a Certificate student only needs to register for and complete those two practicum hours that are not waived. This will also reduce the total number of credit hours required for the Gerontology Certificate. In other words, the student does not have to register for another class to make up for the waived practicum credit.
Students in the Gerontology M.S. Program, however, must be aware that the Graduate School requires a minimum of 30 credit hours for graduation. This limit may be higher within specific tracks of the Gerontology Masters Program.
Practicum Requirement Exemption
The practicum is considered an integral and valuable component of the student's program of study and overall professional development in gerontology. Most undergraduate certificate students come into the program with little or no practical experience in an aging setting whereas more of those in the graduate certificate program do, often working in such a setting as they are pursing their certificate. Therefore, for this reason, the practicum requirement is more rigidly applied within the undergraduate certificate as opposed to the requirements for the graduate certificate. In the latter case, after completing the 6001 Introduction to Gerontology class, the graduate certificate student chooses two out of the following three classes to satisfy the balance of the core requirements:
- GERON 6002 (Services and Programs)
- GERON 6370 (Health and Optimal Aging)
or - GERON 6990 (Practicum)
Recently however, we have had a few students in the undergraduate certificate program who are working full time in the aging network. These are often students who have positions requiring a higher level of skill, experience, and responsibility.
Therefore, for this reason, the Center faculty voted to offer an "Undergraduate Practicum Exemption" to those certificate students who might fit this situation (effective immediately). It is important to note that merely working full time in an aging or gerontological setting does NOT automatically guarantee being qualified for an exemption but the position must meet an appropriate level of skill and responsibility.
Exemption from Practicum Requirements-For Undergraduate Certificate
The practicum is considered an essential component of the student's professional development in gerontology. However, it is understood that is some cases, there are students who are currently employed full time in an aging setting. Assuming their current paid position is one where the skill level, experience and responsibility are equivalent to what one would normally receive through a practicum experience, the student may apply for a "Practicum Requirement Exemption."
In order to apply for this exemption, the student must provide an official letter from their immediate supervisor or cognizant administrator indicating the student's job title, responsibilities or duties, evidence of at least 75% FTE, and the length of time they have been employed in that position.
The Practicum Requirement Exemption potentially also could apply to a student's previous work experience (up to within the prior 36 months) provided that experience meets the aforementioned criteria and is similarly documented. All exemptions are subject to the approval of the Practicum Coordinator or the Coordinator of the Certificate Program.
If it is approved, the student is then required to take additional 3 credit hours of coursework, typically GERON 5370 (Health and Optimal Aging) or another course that is consistent with his or her professional goals approved by the Coordinator of Certificate Program. If a student is considering applying for the exemption they are strongly encouraged to discuss their intentions with the Practicum Coordinator in order to determine if they would be eligible and if the exemption would be in the best interest of the student's professional or career goals.
For similar reasons, this policy also applies to those Gerontology MS students who are currently employed full time in an aging or gerontological stetting using the same criteria. Again, it is important to note that merely working full time in an aging or gerontological setting does NOT automatically guarantee being qualified for an exemption but the position must meet an appropriate level of skill and responsibility.
Exemption from Practicum Exemption-MS Students
The practicum is considered an essential component of the student's professional development in gerontology. However, it is understood that in some cases, there are students who are currently employed full time in an aging setting. Assuming their current paid position is one where the skill level, experience and responsibility are equivalent to what one would normally receive through a practicum experience, the student may apply for a "Practicum Requirement Exemption."
In order to apply for this exemption, the student must provide an official letter from their immediate supervisor or cognizant administrator indicating the student's job title, responsibilities or duties, evidence of at least 75% FTE, and the length of time they have been employed in that position.
The Practicum Requirement Exemption potentially also could apply to a student's previous work experience (up to within the prior 36 months) provided that experience meets the aforementioned criteria and is similarly documented. All exemptions are subject to the approval of the student's supervisory committee or the Associate Director for Graduate Studies.
If it is approved, the student is then required to take an additional 3 credit hours of coursework that is consistent with his or her program of study and professional goals. If a student is considering applying for the exemption they are strongly encouraged to discuss their intentions with their supervisory committee or the Associate Director in order to determine if they would be eligible and if the exemption would be in the best interest of the student's professional or career goals.
If you need further information contact:
Dr. Michael Caserta, Practicum Coordinator
591 College of Nursing, 581-3572
michael.caserta@nurs.utah.edu
