Program Description
The gerontology program is an Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Program of Merit. Gerontology is the multi-disciplinary study of the aging processes (biological, psychological, and sociological), and of individuals as they age from middle adulthood through later adulthood. It includes the study of mental, physical and social changes in older adults as they age, and the impact of social programs and social policies on their well-being. Since older adults, especially those 85 years of age and above, constitute the fastest growing segment of the population; the focus of gerontologists has been on the acquisition of specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding population.
Program Goals
The gerontology program is a multidisciplinary, four-year curriculum designated as a Program of Merit by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. The program focuses on teaching students to think analytically, use resources, and make informed decisions about aging issues. Human service skills, an integral part of the program, are intended to assist the student in obtaining jobs in a variety of aging-related settings. The purpose of the gerontology program is two-fold. First, it offers educational opportunities to students throughout the university to gain information, knowledge and skills relevant to living and working in an aging society. Second, the program offers a broad-based, multidisciplinary course of study that prepares students for beginning careers in the field of aging and for graduate study in aging-related fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the gerontology program, the students should possess the following:
- An understanding of the societal issues, concerns, and challenges brought about by an aging society;
- Knowledge of the social and cultural contexts in which aging occurs;
- An understanding of the physical, psychological, and social process of aging;
- An understanding of the characteristics of older persons and the issues and concerns associated with differing experiences of aging;
- The ability to identify and utilize community resources and support systems for older persons and their families; and
- Skills in planning and implementing aging programs and services.
Major Requirements
The major requires 61 semester hours (SH) of courses and 13 SH in pre-requisite courses. Of these, 61 SHs are in upper division (3000/4000 level) courses; 30 SHs in gerontology courses which include a nine-hour internship; 18 SHs in aging related or supportive courses from other disciplines; and 12 SHs of electives taken from among a list of pre-determined courses in the student’s area of focus.
Gerontology majors are strongly encouraged to take electives, which will enhance their knowledge of gerontology and prepare them for employment and graduate study. Students must have at least 60 documented contact hours of volunteer experiences with older persons prior to the junior year; a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall for admission to the program; and a grade of C or better in all required upper division courses.
Pre-Requisite Courses (16 semester hours)
SOC 2301 – General Sociology (GE)
GER 2301 General Gerontology: The Ups and Downs of Aging
GER 2326 or PSY 2326 or SOC 2326 Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences (Develop as GE with Quantitative Literacy Theme)
GER 2101 – General Gerontology Practicum
POS 2311 – American Government (GE)
PSY 2301 - General Psychology (GE)
SOC 2301 - General Sociology (GE)
GER 2301 - General Gerontology
GER 2401 - The Aging Experience or (GER 2301 (GE) and GER 2101 taken concurrently)
Major Courses
Gerontology (30 semester hours)
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GER 3301 - Aspects of Aging in Diverse Groups
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GER 3302 - Principles and Practices of Gerontology
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GER 3303 - Health-Related Functional Aspects of Gerontology
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GER 3304 - Public Policy of Aging
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GER 4301 - Research Methods and Evaluation in Gerontology
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GER 4302 - Dying, Death, and Bereavement
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GER 4303 - Senior Capstone Seminar
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GER 4901 - Internship in Gerontology
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Related/Support Required Courses (18 semester hours)
BIO 3310 - Biology of Aging
POS 3310 - Legal, Political and Economic Aspects of Aging
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PSY 3303 - Psychology of Aging
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PSY 3336- Develop. Psychology
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SOC 3304 - Social Gerontology
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TRC 3301 - Leisure and Aging
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Recommended Focus Area Courses (12 semester hours)
MGT 1304 - Introduction to Business
ACC 2316 - Principles of Financial Accounting
ACC 2317 - Principles of Managerial Accounting
ECO 2311 - Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 2312 - Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 3317 - Health Care Economics
TRC 2312 - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
TRC 2313 - Environmental Issues, Education, and Ethics
TRC 3240 - Terminology and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation
PED 2322 - Aging of the Movement Systems
PED 4319 - Physical Assessment and Exercise Programming for Older Adults
PSY 3308 - The Psychology of Cognition
PSY 3306 - Abnormal Psychology
NUR 2302 - Pharmacological Aspects of Nursing
NUR 3203 - Gerontological Nursing
SOC 2356 - Sociology of the Family
SOC 3307 - Social Psychology
SOC 3315 - Medical Sociology
SOC 4324 - Social Organization
SOW 3363 - Introduction to Social Work
Minor Requirements
A minor in gerontology consists of the courses listed below.
- GER 2301 General Gerontology: The Ups and Downs of Aging 3
- GER 2101 General Gerontology Practicum 1
- SOC 3304 Social Gerontology 3
- PSY 3303 Psychology of Aging 3
- BIO 3310 Biology of Aging or
- GER 3303 Health Related Functional Aspects of Gerontology 3
- Selected Electives 6
- GER* 4304 Gerontology Practicum for Minors 3 Total Required Semester Hours 22
*The practicum will have a gerontology focus or it will be in the student’s major discipline or a related, approved internship course.
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