Gerontology is the interdisciplinary study of aging and is a rapidly growing field. The gerontology major prepares the students for a career in the field of aging. Since aging is a multifaceted, complex phenomenon, an interdisciplinary training in gerontology will give students an edge in working with the aging population.
The field of aging provides diverse occupational opportunities in health professions, non-profit organizations, recreation and leisure, for-profit businesses, education, research, government, and service providers. Settings include community, human service and religious organizations, government agencies, health and long-term care facilities, retirement communities, academic and research settings, business, industry, legal, and professional organizations.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Core Competencies | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| MATH 2623 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 8 | |
1550 Language | ||
2600 Language | ||
| GEN ED Knowledge Domains: | ||
| Some courses are categorized in more than one knowledge domain. Courses can only be used once with the GE model. | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses - one must include a lab) | 7 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Gerontology | ||
| Social and Personal Awareness | 6 | |
| Aging and Society | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare | ||
| General Education Elective | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| GERO 1501 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| SOC 3701 | Social Statistics | 4 |
| GERO 3703 | Aging and Society | 3 |
| FNUT 3720 | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 3755 | Theories of Gerontology | 3 |
| PSYC 3756 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 4801 | Later Life Issues | 3 |
| GERO 4821 | Internship in Gerontology | 3-15 |
| GERO 4850 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GERO 3759 | Physical Change and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 4851 | Capstone in Gerontology | 3 |
| Choose 3 s.h. from the following courses: | ||
| GERO 3757 | Aging and Social Policy | 3 |
| POL 3717 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| SCWK 3730 | Social Services and the Aged | 3 |
| Choose a minimum of 12 s.h. from the following courses: | ||
| GERO 3745 | Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare | 3 |
| GERO 3756 | Aging and Ethnicity | 3 |
| GERO 3758 | Long-Term Care | 3 |
| SOC 3759 | Sociology of Dementia | 3 |
| SOC 3760 | Sociology of Death and Dying | 3 |
| GERO 3790 | Aging in Cross-Cultural Perspective | 3 |
| GERO 4804 | Family, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 3757 | Aging and Social Policy | 3 |
| PHLT 3757 | Health and Disease | 4 |
| PHLT 4828 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| KSS 4870 | Exercise and Aging for Health Professions | 3 |
| FNUT 4873 | Nutrition and Aging | 2 |
| POL 3717 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| PSYC 4857 | Biopsychological Aspects of Health and Aging | 3 |
| PSYC 3757 | Adult Development | 3 |
| ECON 1504 | Economics of Aging | 3 |
| SCWK 3730 | Social Services and the Aged | 3 |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 1 | 3 |
| GERO 1501 or PSYC 1560 | Introduction to Gerontology or General Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Natural Science elective | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 1550 1 | 4 | |
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 1560 or GERO 1501 | General Psychology or Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| Foreign Language 2600 1 | 4 | |
| MATH 2623 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GERO 3703 or SOC 3703 | Aging and Society (cross-listed) or Aging and Society | 3 |
| General Education Arts and Humanities elective | 3 | |
| General Education Natural Science elective with lab | 4 | |
| GERO 37XX Gerontology Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FNUT 3720 | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| General Education Arts and Humanities elective | 3 | |
| Gerontology Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC 3758 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| GERO 3759 | Physical Change and Aging | 3 |
| Policy Elective | 3 | |
| Gerontology Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 3701 | Social Statistics | 4 |
| GERO 3755 | Theories of Gerontology | 3 |
| GERO 3745 or SOC 3745 | Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare (cross-listed) or Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GERO 4850 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GERO 4821 | Internship in Gerontology | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 4801 | Later Life Issues | 3 |
| GERO 4851 | Capstone in Gerontology | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Placement test in English, math, and foreign languages required before registration for classes. |
Learning Outcomes
- Students can demonstrate understanding of the discipline of gerontology and its interdisciplinary approach to aging and society (Disciplinary Knowledge).
- Students can explain the diversity and complexity of aging in our society.
- Students can dispel ageist stereotypes about aging and older adults.
- Students can explain theories, fundamental principles, theories, and core concepts of gerontology.
- Students can assess the scientific process including various qualitative and quantitative methods. Students can synthesize theory and methods by completing an original empirical research project.