Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program, have a strong overall academic record with a "B" average or better in the basic courses prerequisite to gerontology. Applications should be submitted online. Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

• an application for graduate admission
• official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
• an essay on the applicant’s goals in pursuing the certificate
• three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields

In addition to the above, students must satisfy the following additional requirements:

• an interview with the Gerontology Student Admissions Committee
• complete the following undergraduate prerequisites

1. Introductory course in gerontology or aging. For students who have not had such a course, it is available at UNCW and should be taken prior to enrolling in any graduate level gerontology courses.
2. Introduction to Sociology
3. Introduction to Psychology
4. Statistics and Research Methodology
5. Principles of Biology