The average 65 year-old American today can expect to live to about 85. As a result, one would be hard pressed to find a job in the service sector which would not involve dealing at least in part with the elderly and for which one would not be better qualified with at least some level of education in elder law.

In response to this demand, the Legal Specialties Program in the College of Human Service Professions at the University of Toledo, in cooperation with UT’s Center for Successful Aging in the College of Medicine is proud to offer the Online Graduate Certificate in Elder Law.

Recognizing that individuals are continually attempting to balance personal and professional responsibilities, the entire program, as the name indicates, is offered online and consists of five classes, all of which can be completed in just two semesters. Courses are accessible 24/7 through distance education methods over the Internet.

Three legal classes, Legal Issues for the Elderly, Elder Health Law and Ethical Issues and a Guided Study in Elder Law Topics are offered in the summer session. Legal Issues for the Elderly covers wills, trusts, estate administration, powers of attorney, guardianships, advance directives (health care powers of attorney, etc.), Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent’s rights and legal issues involved in late-in-life marriages.

Elder Health Care Law focuses on the ethical issues involved in legal practice with elderly clients, age discrimination in employment, health care and long term care for the elderly, income maintenance, and elder abuse.

The Guided Study in Elder Law is a vehicle for exploration of elder law topics chosen by the students, with the approval of the faculty, which may not have been covered in significant depth in the other courses. Examples have included a comparison of the laws of various states on such issues as end-of-life decision making and elder abuse. Students are given the opportunity to create a project that explores their interests and suits their particular needs and/or reasons for enrolling in the Elder Law Certificate Program.

The other two classes, Health and Aging and Issues in Contemporary Gerontological Practice are offered each fall semester. Health and Aging is designed to investigate health related issues in older adults, including the psychosocial aspects of disability and disease. Practical application of the material is emphasized. Issues in Contemporary Gerontological Practice explore introductory issues in older adults. Biological, psychological and sociological perspectives of aging are addressed.

Watch a short video regarding this exciting new program:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWf0VX6kWe4

For more information contact Assoc. Prof. Michael J. Spiros, Esq. at mspiros@utoledo.edu or Debra O’Connell at Debra.OConnell@utoledo.edu or call 419-530-5421.

Tags: College of Medicine and Life Sciences