title: Developing gerontological competency: a curriculum approach.
abstract: This study describes a competency-based educational approach to course development, implementation, and evaluation. The course model is presented, including its philosophical base. The authors hypothesized that student participation in a competency-based graduate gerontology course would increase their perceived competency level. Results indicate that students (N = 74 students; 2008-2011) rated their competency skill level as higher at posttest than at the pretest (paired t-tests, p < .01), as measured by the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale II. In addition, pretest/posttest results on the Myths of Aging checklist and Expectations Regarding Aging survey supported increases of perceived knowledge of older adults at posttest (p < .01). This project illustrates the benefits of organizing and implementing competency-based curriculum so that students are better prepared to work with older adults when they graduate.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. galambosc@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galambos
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016730:Program Development; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*