Gerontology Minor and Certificate

A minor and/or certificate in Gerontology may be obtained through the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Offered by the Gerontology Center, this program provides students and practitioners with knowledge and skills necessary for work in the aging field. The minor in Gerontology may be pursued by students enrolled in any undergraduate program. The certificate will be awarded to those who complete the minor requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Students will gain an understanding of the age structures of diverse populations and the impact of demography on the individual life course, family structures, and social structures
Students will be able to identify and analyze changes in psychological, social, and biological domains that occur with increased frequency in later life in order to discriminate between those that are caused by aging and those that are merely correlated with aging
Students will be able to analyze the life context of older adults (e.g., health, housing and social services) and identify relevant resources for specific needs
Students will be able to conduct an interview and analyze the life story of an older adult in the context of historical, developmental and contextual influences on later life
Students will demonstrate a realistic appreciation for older adults, appreciating their contributions but not idealizing them in a stereotypical manner
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to synthesize the impact of biological, psychological and social factors of aging

General Requirements for the Minor/Certificate

Successful completion of at least 18 credit hours of required and elective courses
A grade point average of at least 2.0 (C) is required; all courses applied to the minor must be completed with a grade of C- or better
An individually planned field experience (GRNT 4980)

This experience will be under the direct supervision of experienced personnel in an approved agency or institution dealing with the special concerns of older persons.

Course Requirements

Required Core Courses

GRNT 3000 - Introduction to Gerontology
HSCI 2800 - Biomedical Aging: Myths and Realities (Also may be taken as GRNT 2040)
GRNT 4630 - Psychology of Aging (Also may be taken as PSY 3510)
GRNT 4620 - Sociology of Aging (Also may be taken as SOC 4620)
GRNT 4980 - Professional Field Experience in Gerontology (3 hours minimum)

Elective Courses

Select at least one course from the following:

Note:

Other courses that focus on aging may be approved by the Center Director.