Andrew Campbell
- Associate Professor of Counseling
- Core Faculty, Master's in Counseling (Clinical and School)
About this Program
The thanatology certificate is one of the few and best in the United States. Coursework specifically prepares individuals to work with the terminally ill and the bereaved, as well as provide death education.
Program Overview
A Thoughtful Exploration of Life and Death
Hood’s unique interdisciplinary approach affords a combination of theory, research and practical skills that can be used in a broad range of occupations and organizations. Students examine the interplay among the physical, psychological, interpersonal and spiritual needs of the living and the dying across the lifespan.
Expansion and Enrichment
The certificate increases understanding and proficiency for those working in the funeral industry, hospice, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care environments. It appeals to graduate students embarking on new careers and to psychologists, social workers, counselors and teachers who want to expand into this area. Content conforms to Association for Death Education and Counseling benchmarks for certification, a credential that can further validate career professionalism and commitment.
Certificate
The 12-credit certificate program is for professionals in the thanatology field and those already licensed or certified in human service fields, as well as those looking for personal enrichment. Evening and weekend classes accommodate working professionals, while our fully online format offers convenience and flexibility.
Please note that graduate certificate programs are now eligible for loans.
Degrees Offered
- Certificate
Related Graduate Programs
Are you ready to go further?
Program Requirements and Course Listings
Students applying to the certificate in thanatology program are required to:
- Submit the online application (no essay required).
- Request that a copy of the official electronic transcript be submitted from the institution where the highest degree was conferred.
| THAN 521/COUN 521 | Grief, Mourning and Bereavement | 3.0 |
| THAN 523/COUN 523 | Principles of Thanatology | 3.0 |
| THAN 528/COUN 528 | Developmental Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
| THAN 529 | Historical and Multicultural Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
Successful completion of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The certificate in thanatology program is designed to conform to the education requirements of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) for those persons interested in becoming certified as thanatologists.
Program Contact
Program Director
Phone
301-696-3760
Email
Director of Graduate Admission
Phone
Office: 301-696-3603
Email
Shannon Kundey
- Professor of Psychology, Department Chair
- Co-Director, Hood Honors Program
Diane R. Graves
- Associate Professor of Psychology
- Program Director, Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Behavior
Brenda Schildknecht-Hargett
- Program Director, Thanatology Certificate
- Lecturer of Thanatology
Graduate Alumna Spotlight | Kaili Van Waveren, M.A. Thanatology
Kaili Van Waveren, M.A. Thanatology Alumni
Graduate School
Graduate Student
"The thanatology program at Hood allowed me to switch careers and to redirect my time, energy, and self into something that felt meaningful"
- Academics
- Health Sciences
Meet Alumnus Keith Midberry | Thanatology M.A.'16
Keith Midberry Alumni
Graduate School
Graduate Student
Military
"My thanatology degree coupled with my military background prepared me well to hit the ground running in my position as the first Veteran Liaison for Frederick Health Hospice"
- Academics
- Alumni Relations
From Thanatology to Counseling and Beyond
Elsie Weinstein Alumni
Elsie Weinstein earned her thanatology degree from Hood and came back a few years later for her counseling degree.