Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health
Certificate Program ONLINE
Online Certificate Program
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The growing population of older adults presents a unique opportunity for mental health professionals to expand clinical practice and experience deeply meaningful clinical work. The E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, in partnership with CATCH-ON, the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program based at Rush, and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging has developed an online educational program that provides basic knowledge that every mental health clinician needs to work effectively with older adults.
This 14-hour self-paced certificate program can serve as a first step in developing competency in older adult mental health. Using the Pikes Peak geropsychology competencies as a foundation, experts in geriatric psychiatry, geropsychology, neuropsychology, and clinical social work contributed to the development of this program to ensure that the evidence-based content reflects the knowledge required by a broad range of mental health clinicians. Each module includes didactic content, videos of geriatric mental health experts, case vignettes, learning checks, and resources to enhance clinical practice with older adults. Completion of all modules will earn learners a certificate of completion from the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs.
The ideal learner for this program is a licensed mental health clinician, though this content may benefit a very wide variety of health disciplines and learning levels. These modules will be available to all learners without cost as long as grant funding allows. The cost for continuing education for the full 14 hour certificate program is $175; individual course CE credits are $15 (non-CE is free). Group discounts available – please contact aging@rush.edu for details. Current pricing reflects our program launch discount. Program rate pricing is subject to change.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Identify and challenge systemic and personal stereotypes to promote positive attitudes toward aging
- Conceptualize later life as part of a developmental process, with unique challenges and life issues that may impact mental health
- Recognize unique risk factors for mental health problems in older adults and identify barriers to diagnosis and treatment
- Characterize unique presentations of mental health disorders in older adults and employ evidence-based assessments and treatments
- Distinguish normal cognitive aging from abnormal cognitive aging and differentiate Alzheimer’s disease presentation from other causes of cognitive decline
Continuing Education FAQ
Does the certificate program offer continuing education credits?
The Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Certificate ONLINE Program offers up to 14 hours of CE, CNE, or CME for a fee ($175 for the full program, $15 per course – group discounts available). Continuing education credits for the in-person program are free. Please see below for the full accreditation statement from Rush University Medical Center.
What disciplines can receive credit?
- Audiologists
- Advance practice nurses
- Dietitians
- Nutritionists
- Occupational therapists
- Physicians
- Physician assistants
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
- Registered nurses
- Respiratory therapists
- Social workers
Does the certificate program offer APA credits?
Our joint accreditation allows us to provide APA credit, but the APA is not the accreditor.
Is the certificate program accredited by NASW?
Currently, social work credit falls under the State of Illinois and a reciprocal agreement (state by state). We plan to offer credit through the NASW in the future.
What if I am licensed in the State of New York?
Rush is not accredited by the State of New York, so clinicians who have a license in the State of New York may not be able to utilize CEUs toward their state licensure requirements. Please confirm with your licensing body to confirm before purchasing.
Further questions?
Please consult with your licensing body to confirm these credits apply to your license before purchasing. The certificate program with no continuing education is available for free.
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In support of improving patient care, Rush University Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Rush University Medical Center designates this internet enduring material activity for a maximum of One (1) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Rush University Medical Center designates this internet enduring material activity for a maximum of One (1) nursing contact hour(s).
This activity is being presented without bias and without commercial support.
Rush University is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000272), occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, social work (159.001203), nutrition, and speech-audiology by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.
Rush University designates this live activity for One (1) Continuing Education credit(s).
Rush University Medical Center designates this activity for One (1) CE credits in psychology.
