Caring for older adults, people with serious illness, and their family caregivers are among the most challenging issues facing clergy and mental health professionals today. This program is designed for clergy, social workers, chaplains, graduate and seminary students, spiritual leaders, mental health professionals, and nurses. Students who enroll in this fully online program will develop skills that will prepare them to address the needs of and enhance life for those facing aging and serious illness.
Ministering to older adults, people with serious illness, and their family caregivers are among the most challenging issues facing clergy today.
Virtual Open Houses:
RSVP at yu.edu/agingopenhouse
The Interprofessional Aging and Palliative Care Certificate program addresses a growing need for well-trained clergy, social workers, and mental health professionals who can deliver sensitive, informed care and compassionate guidance for those facing the many complexities of aging and serious illness care, while maintaining a quality of life. This 18-credit advanced certificate can be earned separately, or can be applied to Wurzweiler’s top-ranked MSW program, enabling them to be eligible for licensure as a social worker. Students may take two asynchronous online courses each semester over a period of nine months (three terms) or they may choose to complete the certificate in two years. The certificate provides flexible solutions to meet the demands of professionals’ multiple obligations.
We use a holistic social work lens to address the biopsychosocial and spiritual needs for individuals, families, and communities facing concerns related to the aging process, serious illness, difficult conversations about advanced care planning, end-of-life decisions, and bereavement.
Clergy and mental health professionals who enroll in this program will develop skills and knowledge that will enable them to address the complex needs of their congregants, clients, and communities. They will be better prepared for positions with the older adults in diverse long-term, community, hospice, and palliative care settings.
What our participants are saying:
“The knowledge acquired has proven invaluable and has given me greater confidence in addressing the emotional and practical needs of my congregants.” Rabbi Shmuel Burnstein
“The program helped me in the job market, much more so IN THE JOB. I am now working five days a week in my hospital.” Ellen Cohn, PhD
“Our curriculum examines the major demographic changes taking place with our communities. We focus on the spiritual, bioethical, and caregiving implications for our congregations and agencies.” Rabbi Dr. Richard Address (faculty member)
Application Fee Waiver code: yufeewaiver
Full Program Breakdown
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The Interprofessional Aging and Palliative Care Certificate program addresses a growing need for well-trained clergy, social workers, and mental health professionals who can deliver sensitive, informed care and compassionate guidance for those facing the many complexities of aging and serious illness care, while maintaining a quality of life. This 18-credit advanced certificate can be earned separately, or can be applied to Wurzweiler’s top-ranked MSW program, enabling them to be eligible for licensure as a social worker. Students may take two asynchronous online courses each semester over a period of nine months (three terms) or they may choose to complete the certificate in two years. The certificate provides flexible solutions to meet the demands of professionals’ multiple obligations.
We use a holistic social work lens to address the biopsychosocial and spiritual needs for individuals, families, and communities facing concerns related to the aging process, serious illness, difficult conversations about advanced care planning, end-of-life decisions, and bereavement.
Clergy and mental health professionals who enroll in this program will develop skills and knowledge that will enable them to address the complex needs of their congregants, clients, and communities. They will be better prepared for positions with the older adults in diverse long-term, community, hospice, and palliative care settings.
What our participants are saying:
“The knowledge acquired has proven invaluable and has given me greater confidence in addressing the emotional and practical needs of my congregants.” Rabbi Shmuel Burnstein
“The program helped me in the job market, much more so IN THE JOB. I am now working five days a week in my hospital.” Ellen Cohn, PhD
“Our curriculum examines the major demographic changes taking place with our communities. We focus on the spiritual, bioethical, and caregiving implications for our congregations and agencies.” Rabbi Dr. Richard Address (faculty member)
Application Fee Waiver code: yufeewaiver
Approved by the New York State Department of Education
Build your expertise through 6 online classes
Take 1 or 2 classes during three 8-week semesters
Earned credits may be applied towards MSW degree
Learn from professional social workers and clergy contributing to the fields of aging and palliative care
Applications accepted for fall, winter, and spring terms
Program Plans: Road Maps
Policy Manual: Interprofessional Aging & Pall. Care Certificate Policy Manual
Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis for classes that begin in late October, late January, and mid-April.
Interprofessional Certificate Academic Materials:
Academic Calendar 2025-2026
Monthy Calendar - Fall 2025
Monthy Calendar - Spring I & II 2026
_________________________________
Academic Calendar 2024-2025
Monthly Calendar - Spring (1 & II) 2025
Online Registration Instructions
Canvas Instructions
Contacts:
Rabbi Liz Rolle, Program Coordinator
liz.rolle@yu.edu
Gary Stein, JD, MSW, Director
glstein@yu.edu
Lynn Levy, PhD, Assistant Director
llevy1@yu.edu
Program Plans: Road Maps
Policy Manual: Interprofessional Aging & Pall. Care Certificate Policy Manual
Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis for classes that begin in late October, late January, and mid-April.
Interprofessional Certificate Academic Materials:
Academic Calendar 2025-2026
Monthy Calendar - Fall 2025
Monthy Calendar - Spring I & II 2026
_________________________________
Academic Calendar 2024-2025
Monthly Calendar - Spring (1 & II) 2025
Online Registration Instructions
Canvas Instructions
Contacts:
Rabbi Liz Rolle, Program Coordinator
liz.rolle@yu.edu
Gary Stein, JD, MSW, Director
glstein@yu.edu
Lynn Levy, PhD, Assistant Director
llevy1@yu.edu
