School of Public Health and Health Systems

The Diploma in Gerontology program is available to students who would like some training in gerontology but are not able to complete all the requirements of a School of Public Health and Health Systems undergraduate degree.

Diploma Admission Requirements

The following are considered minimum admission requirements. Students will be considered on an individual basis to determine admissibility to the program.

    1. Completion of a minimum of 2 years (4 semesters) of university study prior to beginning the diploma program.
    2. BIOL 130 or equivalent, or HLTH 103 or equivalent, within the past five years.

Degree Requirements for the Diploma

    1. A cumulative overall average of 67% in the course requirements. 
    2. Successful completion of all course requirements. 
    3. A maximum of five years to successfully complete the program from the time the student first enters the
        program.
    4. Successful completion of 5.0 units from the following requirements: 

             o Required courses (1.0 unit): 
                GERON 201/HLTH 201 (normally should be taken before List A or List B courses) 
                GERON 400/HLTH 400 
             o Restricted elective courses (List A plus List B must total 4.0 units):

• List A (a minimum of 2.0 units) from the following:
  GERON 245/HLTH 245
  GERON 255/SCI 255
  GERON 352/HLTH 352/KIN 352/REC 362/SOC 352
  GERON 355/BIOL 355
  HLTH 253/SOC 253
  HLTH 451
  KIN 406
  KIN 418
  REC 361
  SOCWK 367R                                                                            

• List B (remaining units to a total of 4.0 units) from the following:
  GERON 210/HLTH 210/KIN 210
  GERON 218/HLTH 218/PSYCH 218
  GERON 220/HLTH 220
  HLTH 407/KIN 407
  HLTH 420/GEOG 432/PLAN 432
  KIN 422
  KIN 429
  KIN 456
  PHIL 226
  PSYCH 398
  SOC 248
  SOCWK 240R
  An approved course in statistics (a list of approved courses is available from the School of Public Health and Health Systems Undergraduate Office).                           

Notes:

1. GERON 201/ HLTH 201 should normally be taken before or concurrently with List A or List B courses.
2. The Diploma in Gerontology is not open to students currently enrolled in a degree program at the University of Waterloo. Current students will enroll in the Minor in Gerontology.
3. This program is awaiting Ministry approval for funding. Currently Canadian students registered in this program are not eligible for financial aid through OSAP.      

Further Information

For more information about the Diploma in Gerontology, please contact:

School of Public Health and Health Systems
B.C. Matthews Hall
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
519-885-4567 ext. 36341