The Gerontology Programs

Interested in gerontological social work? Smart choice - Social workers with passion and skills focused on aging are in demand! The National Institute on Aging projects that by 2020, approximately 70,000 social workers with expertise in aging will be needed to serve the growing older adult population. That means nearly doubling the current pool of social workers with expertise in aging.

Although gerontological social work is considered a specialty, the field is actually quite broad, as older adults are oftentimes involved in the lives of individuals of all ages and that, of course, everybody is aging!

Gerontological social work encompasses many other subspecialties of social work, including mental health, medical social work, and families. Gerontological social workers also practice across diverse settings - from public healthcare organizations to government offices to private industry.

Gerontological social workers are uniquely positioned to enhance the quality of life among adults who are experiencing significant aging-related challenges, such as deteriorating heath, decreased mobility, or increased need for social supports and service delivery systems. Gerontological social workers often mobilize strengths within individuals, families, groups, and communities to address such challenges; accordingly, gerontological social work demands both micro- and macro- practice.

Rutgers School of Social Work is committed to growing the workforce of gerontological social workers for the state of New Jersey and beyond. The School aims not only to increase the number of professional social workers with expertise in aging, but to develop a gerontological workforce that is prepared to provide leadership and demonstrate excellence in meeting the challenges and maximizing the strengths of an aging population.

 

Overview of this Website

This website provides information about Rutgers University's Gerontology Program, including:
  • MSW training programs
  • Continuing Education certificates in gerontology
  • Rutgers School of Social Work research on aging.

The site also includes information regarding the community partners who support the School's Gerontology Program, as well as announcements for gerontological social work professionals across the state of New Jersey.


Contact Us

For questions regarding Rutgers School of Social Work's Gerontology Program, please contact the Gerontology Program Coordinator, Dr. Emily Greenfield, by email at egreenf@ssw.rutgers.edu or by telephone at 732-932-7520, ext. 122.

For maps and directions to the main building for the School of Social Work in New Brunswick, click here.