Program Director
Dr. Daniel Van Dussen (330) 941-1683 djvandussen@ysu.edu
Overview
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. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or SS 1500 | Strong Start Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| Mathematics requirement (met with MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Some courses are categorized in more than one knowledge domain. Courses can only be used once with the GE model. | ||
| Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) (6-7 s.h.) | 7 | |
| Social Science (6 s.h.) | ||
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Social and Personal Awareness (6 s.h.) | ||
| GERO 3703 | Aging and Society | 3 |
| GERO 3745 | Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare | 3 |
| Required Courses (47 s.h.): | ||
| GERO 1501 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| GERO 3703 | Aging and Society | 3 |
| GERO 3755 | Theories of Gerontology | 3 |
| GERO 3759 | Physical Change and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 4821 | Internship in Gerontology | 7 |
| GERO 4850 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GERO 4851 | Capstone in Gerontology | 3 |
| FNUT 3720 | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| PSYC 3758 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOC 3701 | Social Statistics | 4 |
| SOC 4801 | Later Life Issues | 3 |
| Select one from the following policy courses: | 3 | |
| Aging and Social Policy | ||
| Health Care Policy | ||
| Social Services and the Aged | ||
| Diversity, Ethnicity, Inclusion Select a minimum of 9 s.h. from the following: | 9 | |
| University Approved Study Abroad | ||
| Aging and Ethnicity | ||
| Aging in Cross-Cultural Perspective | ||
| FNLG 1550 | Elementary Foreign Language | 4 |
| FNLG 2600 | Intermediate Foreign Language | 4 |
| Select a minimum of 9 s.h. from the following program elective courses: | 9 | |
| Economics of Aging | ||
| Nutrition and Aging | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare | ||
| Aging and Social Policy | ||
| Long-Term Care | ||
| Family, Health, and Aging | ||
| Exercise and Aging for Health Professions | ||
| Health and Disease | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Health Care Policy | ||
| Adult Development | ||
| Biopsychological Aspects of Health and Aging | ||
| Social Services and the Aged | ||
| Sociology of Dementia | ||
| Sociology of Death and Dying | ||
| GERO 3761 | Elder Crimes - Elder Justice | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours in the Major: 59 s.h. | ||
| Elective hours to complete the degree: | 12 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Intro to Honors or Strong Start Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| GERO 1501 or PSYC 1560 | Introduction to Gerontology or General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| FNLG 1550 | Elementary Foreign Language | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 1560 or GERO 1501 | General Psychology or Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| MATH 2623 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| GERO 3703 | Aging and Society | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GE Arts and Humanities elective | 3 | |
| General Education Natural Science elective | 3 | |
| DEI Elective | 3 | |
| DEI Elective | 3 | |
| FNLG 1550 | Elementary Foreign Language | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FNUT 3720 | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| GE Arts and Humanities elective | 3 | |
| GE Natural Science Elective and Lab | 4 | |
| DEI Elective | 3 | |
| GERO Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC 3758 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| GERO 3759 | Physical Change and Aging | 3 |
| Policy Elective | 3 | |
| GERO Elective | 3 | |
| GERO 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 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 4801 | Later Life Issues | 3 |
| GERO 4851 | Capstone in Gerontology | 3 |
| GERO 4821 | Internship in Gerontology | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
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.