School of Undergraduate Studies

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Gerontology

Minor in Gerontology

A rapidly expanding aging population has created an enormous demand for qualified professionals with knowledge of gerontology. Complement your education by obtaining valuable skills regarding this important and growing segment of our society.

Objectives

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

Demonstrate the ability to apply—in an integrated, interdisciplinary way—biological, sociological, psychological, and health concepts to work with older adults.
Evaluate important historical trends in the field of aging and their effect on understanding the aging process for different generations.
Analyze the impact of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on the experience of aging from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Analyze current family and intergenerational issues related to aging from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Articulate the social, political, legal, health, and policy implications of a rapidly expanding aging population for society.
Analyze important cross-cultural issues in aging and gerontology.
Use information technology skills to access and retrieve information on aging and gerontology.

Requirements for the Gerontology Minor

A minor in gerontology requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework in gerontology. Courses appropriate for the major in gerontology apply. Students are recommended to take GERO 100 and 220 (or PSYC 357) as the first courses in the minor (if they have not already applied the courses toward other degree requirements). Courses may not duplicate those used to satisfy requirements for the major. At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Prerequisites apply for all courses.