Georgia Southwestern State University

Caregiving Specialist Certificate

Description:

The Caregiving Specialist Certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for continued study, specialized work or a career in a caregiving field. This Certificate is the only one of its kind in the state and represents a unique commitment of Georgia Southwestern State University to prepare leaders in the field of Caregiving

Objectives and Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of this certificate program students will:

1. Understand the societal challenges of caregiving including challenges to our health care system, the economy and communities.
2. Be knowledgeable of the stresses and rewards of caregiving and the potential health impact for the individual caregiver.
3. Be knowledgeable of evidence-based approaches to supporting both family and professional caregivers, and
4. Be prepared to pursue advanced training or a career in the caregiving field.

Prerequisite(s):

Admission prerequisites include admission to a program of undergraduate study at Georgia Southwestern State University and a minimum GPA of 3.0

Certificate outline/content:

The Caregiving Specialist program includes 18 credits taken while working on a bachelor’s degree or after earning a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree within the student’s discipline must be completed before the certificate is awarded. The Core consists of three required courses. Three additional courses must be selected from an approved list of electives, with at least one of those courses being outside the student’s major.

The Caregiving Specialist Program requires students to take 9 credits of core courses (PSYC 2000, PSYC 4395 and NURS 4910 Caregiving Practicum), and 9 additional credits of electives related to the Core (see below). The electives allow students to specialize in a particular area of practice or research, as well as in a particular type of caregiving (e.g. aging, chronic illness, disability, adults, etc.). At least six credits must differ from the course requirements of the undergraduate degree being pursued concurrently. Course substitution may be allowed for the electives with permission of the Program Coordinator.

All course work must be completed within three years of admission to the program including the practicum in a setting approved by the Program Coordinator. Earning the certificate requires completion of the Bachelor’s degree in the student’s discipline.

Core Courses

The program is built around a core of interdisciplinary courses and a practicum, which are required of all students pursuing the certificate. The following courses provide the foundation for the students’ learning:

PSYC 2000. Interdisciplinary Applications in Caregiving. A multidisciplinary approach to caregiving is utilized to provide the student with information regarding caregivers and the vital role(s) they play in providing health care. This course seeks to educate current and potential professional caregivers to better meet the needs of the rapidly rising family and community caregiver populations. (3-0-3)

PSYC 4395. Theo-Research in Caregiving. A research-based discussion of key issues in the study of caregiving, including similarities and differences among caregiving populations, cultural influences on caregiving, and the interplay between professional and family caregivers. (3-0-3)

NURS 4910. Caregiving Practicum: This course will be within the Nursing curriculum and require supervised field work in an appropriate placement related to caregiving. (2-1-3)

Electives:

In addition to the 9 Credits in the Core, Students must take an additional 9 credits from among the following elective courses. One of these courses (3 credits at least) must be outside the student’s major. Course substitutions may be allowed, but must be approved in advance by the Program Coordinator.

NURSING

NURS 3000. Health Promotion. This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to provide health promotion and disease prevention interventions, essential components of comprehensive health care. The course includes content on health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention strategies across the life span, with emphasis on application to rural clients; health behavior models and theories; change theories; health education principles, theories, and strategies. (2-0-2)

NURS 3600. Transcultural Health Care. An introduction to transcultural health care. The study of health care in a variety of cultural settings is accomplished through comparative analysis from a nursing perspective. Historical, political, and religious factors which impact health care beliefs of the caregiver and the client are studied within the framework of cultural health care theory. An elective course. (3-0-3)

NURS 3770. Issues in Adolescence. An exploration of the contemporary health, health care, and related issues of concern to professionals who work with adolescent populations. This course is an elective course. (3-0-3)

NURS 3850. Gerontological Nursing. An exploration of the physiological and psychological changes that are common to the aging adult. Content include theories of aging, issues related to healthy aging, illness, pharmacology, nutrition, sexuality, ethical/legal situations and sociocultural influences. Prerequisites: NURS 3100, NURS 3200, NURS 3000, NURS 3630. (3-0-3)

PSYCHOLOGY / SOCIOLOGY

PSYC / SOCI 3308. Psycho Aspects of Aging. A thorough discussion of human aging, focusing on the physiological and psychosocial aspects of aging, as well as a historical and contemporary examination of the various psychological and sociological aspects of death and dying. (3-0-3)

SOCI 2293. Sociology of Family. An in-depth analysis of the American family with cross-cultural and historical comparisons. Emphasis is placed on the various changes occurring within the American family. (3-0-3)

PSYC 3350. Health Psychology. A survey course dealing with how environmental, social, and behavioral events influence bodily systems. Socio-psychological factors correlated with health problems and risks will also be covered. (3-0-3)

PSYC 4402. Prin of Behavior Modification. A survey of learning theory and principles applicable to the modification of human maladaptive behavior. (3-0-3)

PSYC 4403. Soc and Psy Aspects of Addict. This course presents current scientific thinking concerning addiction to legal and illegal drugs. The student will also be exposed to a variety of treatment techniques and observe the treatment process in several therapeutic settings. (3-0-3)

PSYC 4405. Theo and Tech of Counseling. A general introduction to various theories and techniques of counseling and their applicability to various kinds of clientele. (3-0-3)

SOCI 3325. Introduction to Social Work. A survey of the field of social work. Content includes an examination of social work concepts, values, and ideology; origin and history; methods of practice; practice settings; and current issues in the delivery of social services. (3-0-3)

SPECIAL EDUCATION

EDSP 2130. Teaching Ind w Severe-Prof Dis. A study of the characteristics, nature, and education of individuals with severe/profound disabilities. Course includes materials and methods for teaching intellectually disabled, emotionally disturbed, physically disabled, and multi-disabled individuals. Field experience required. (2-2-3)

EDSP 3000 - The Exceptional Student. A study of the identification, characteristics, and educational needs of exceptional learners from preschool to adulthood. The course includes appropriate learning environments and current best practices for the education of all learners. Field experience required. (2-1-3)

EDSP 4110. Nature of Intellectual Disabil. Social, emotional, and cognitive characteristics and education of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Field experience required. (2-2-3)

EDSP 4210. Nature of Behavior Disorders. Social, emotional and cognitive characteristics of individuals with behavior disorders. Field experience required. (2-2-3)

EDSP 4310. Nature of Learning Disabilities. Social, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of individuals with specific learning disabilities. Field experience required. (2-2-3)

EDSP 4550. Assistive Technology. Survey of current assistive technology available for use to improve the physical, social, communication, and learning abilities of individuals with disabilities. Techniques for the effective use of technology to provide effective individualization, evaluation, scheduling, and inclusion of pupils with disabilities. Field experience required. (2-2-3)

EDSP 4620 - Classroom-Beh Mgt for Disabili
Classroom and behavior management procedures and techniques based on principles of applied behavior analysis. Emphasis on strategies that promote effective learning, increase achievement, and improve pro-social behavior. Field experience required. (2-1-3)

HEALTH, PE, AND RECREATION

HPER 3100 - Community Health
Present day philosophy of the health care system including current needs and priorities in delivery of health services, intelligent consumer health selection, specific community health problems and solutions, and safety education. (3-0-3)

Methods of instruction:

The method of instruction will be directed by the various course instructors and determined by her/his expertise. In addition to professorial lecture and class discussion, students will be involved in supervised field work as part of their course of study.

Evaluation procedures:

Evaluation procedures will differ by course. A student’s overall progress in the Certificate will be marked by review of their progress in meeting the course requirements for the certificate as well as overall progress in their regular course work.

Texts:

Determined by the instructors.

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