UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Gerontology

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in gerontology.

Major in Gerontology

The major in gerontology prepares students to implement and manage health and human service programs in gerontology. It combines a foundation in the psychosocial and psychological aspects of aging with an understanding of programs, services and policies related to aging and older adults. Graduates are prepared for careers such as gerontological services or program manager, program and policy analyst, services developer and housing or facilities manager.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in gerontology will be able to

  • Describe and analyze the biological and psychosocial processes of aging.
  • Analyze the impact of sociological and cultural factors such as race, ethnicity, gender and social class on the aging process.
  • Articulate and analyze the development of policies related to aging and their impact on programs for older adults, both locally and nationally.
  • Demonstrate the ability to access, interpret and apply research findings in gerontology.
  • Apply interdisciplinary gerontological knowledge to work with older adults in one’s chosen area of practice.
  • Identify and apply the principles and ethical standards necessary for work with older adults.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in gerontology requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Gerontology Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in gerontology, includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in Gerontology. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • ‡ GERO 100 Introduction to Gerontology (3)
  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • ‡ GERO 220 Psychological Aspects of Aging (3) or PSYC 357 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
  • ‡ STAT 225 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology or other allowable STAT course for the major
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • ‡ GERO 302 Health and Aging (3) or BIOL 307 The Biology of Aging

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or SPCH 482 Intercultural Communications (recommended elective)
  • ‡ GERO 301 Service/Program Management (3) or BMGT 361 Health Management
  • ‡ GERO 306 Programs, Services and Policies (3)
  • WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
  • ‡ GERO 338 Health Promotion in Older Adults (3) or other health-related course for the major
  • ‡ GERO 311 Women and Aging (3) or GERO 410 Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Aging or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ GERO 327 Ethnicity and Aging (3) or other supplemental major course

Internship for Major (to be taken in the last 30 credits)

  • ‡ GERO 486A Internship in Gerontology Through Co-op (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken within the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (43)

Total credits for BS in gerontology: 120