The interdisciplinary minor in Gerontology is designed to help undergraduate students cultivate an understanding of the many facets of the aging process, including the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging.
As the United States elderly population is projected to dramatically increase, this coursework helps prepare students to work with not only geriatric clients within the community but also with staff of varying disciplines. Being cognizant that there are other aspects of gerontology aside from the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects, we offer elective courses from multiple disciplines which will supplement required learning related to aging. Most, if not all, of the courses can be completed online.
The curriculum covers the competency statements published in 2014 by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Forty-five service learning (clinical) hours in the community are required in the final practicum course.
This minor would be useful for a number of different majors, and HHP, NURS, PSY, SOC, and SOCW may have a specific interest. Also, students who are interested in professional school in the health professions may also find the minor useful in their chosen career field.
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