Dr. Deborah Altus, Coordinator

Description

This minor is constructed around the premise that a broader understanding of Gerontology is critical to meet the needs of an aging society. The minor is also based on the premise that Gerontology is, by its nature, an interdisciplinary course of study requiring education in bio-psycho-social issues. Expanded career opportunities in gerontology are forecast in many areas, including healthcare, the helping professions, public policy and more. As a result, this minor is open to all undergraduate students across the university and includes courses from a variety of disciplines. This minor will prepare students to meet increasing workforce needs of an aging society and/or to pursue graduate study in Gerontology or related fields.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students minoring in Gerontology, upon graduation, will be able to:

• Describe biological, psychological, and social changes that occur as the result of aging.
• Describe societal changes that are associated with an aging population.
• Describe ways in which aging is intersected by race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and other important social variables.
• Use evidence-based information, effective logic and accurate vocabulary to communicate about Gerontology.

Study Plan

To obtain the optional minor students will complete at least 18 credit hours of coursework. In addition to nine credit hours of required coursework, students must complete at least nine credit hours of elective courses. At least six hours must be upper division coursework. Some elective courses require completion of prerequisites. The list of electives may be modified as new courses with Gerontology content become available. The coordinator will provide advising, review requests for substitutions with a petition from the student, and will serve in the role of department chair to certify that a student has successfully met the requirements for this optional minor. Students wishing to obtain elective credit for a directed study or internship course must obtain prior approval from the coordinator.

Minor Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
HS 378	Issues in Aging	3
PY 212	Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 1	3
BI 260	Biology of Aging (or pre-approved substitution if the course is not offered)	3
Elective courses		9
Total Hours		18

¹

Prerequisite: PY 100

Elective Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
AL 101	Foundations of Healthcare	3
AL 366	Legal & Regulatory Issues for the Health Care Professional	3
AL 420	Current Issues in Health Care	3
AN 312	Medical Anthropology 1	3
AR 291/391	Art Therapy	3
CN 306	Health Communication 2	3
CN 351	Interpersonal Communication 2	3
HS 131	Human Development	3
HS 301	Working with Trauma	3
HS 371	Mental Health and Aging	3
HS 372/NU 335	Death & Dying	3
HS 390	Special Topics (Strategies in Lifespan Resilience)	1-6
HS 390	Special Topics (Disability Studies)	1-6
HS 411	Family Issues	3
LG 220	Wills & Estate Administration 3	3
LG 320	Elder Law 3	3
KN 248	Wellness Concepts and Applications	3
NU 335	Special Topics/Nursing ( Interdisciplinary Community Health)	3
NU 335	Special Topics/Nursing (Palliative Care)	3
PO 305	Public Policy	3
PY 326	Health Psychology 4	3
SO 326	Aging and Society 5	3
SW 360	Geriatric Social Work Practice	3
An internship or practicum in a setting approved by the coordinator		0-3
A directed study course approved by the coordinator		0-3

¹

Prerequisite: AN 112

²

Prerequisite: CN 101

³

Prerequisite: LG 100 or LG 200 or consent

⁴

Prerequisite: PY 100

⁵

Prerequisite: SO 100

⁶

Prerequisite: SW 100, SW 250 or consent