Undergraduate Minor Description & Requirements
Description
A gerontology minor is a practical addition to many undergraduate majors. With the burgeoning older population that our society is experiencing now and well into the future, there will be a need for people in many sectors who understand the aging process from a broad multidisciplinary perspective. Although just about any degree program can work with the gerontology minor, some of the majors that have recently been combined with it include:
- Liberal Arts
- Sociology
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Chemistry
- Nursing
Requirements
The curriculum requires you to take 18 credits--3 credits from each of the 3 core areas, 6 credits of electives, and a 3-credit practicum. These are described below in more detail.
Core courses
- Sociology (choose one)
- Soc.Sci.411P--Aging in American Society: Past and Present
- Soc. 410R--Aging in Contemporary Society
- Psychology (choose one)
- Psych. 441--Adult Development and Aging
- Psych. 440--Psychology of Aging
- Health/Biology (choose one)
- Nat. Sci. 430PC--Biological and Ethical Issues in Aging
- Nursing 430--Experience of Health in Aging
Elective Courses (3 credit)
- Soc. 316-Sociology of Death and Dying
- Soc. 318--Sociology of the Aging Woman
- Soc. 416/417--Aging and Developmental Disabilities (with optional practicum)
- Pol. Sci. 343--Politics of Social Security
- Phil. 401PC--Biological and Ethical Issues in Aging
Elective Courses (1 Credit) -- recently offered
- A&S 490--ST: Literature and Aging
- A&S 490D--ST: The Creativity that Comes with Age
- Psych. 450--ST: Psychology of the Aging Family
- Soc. 300CG--ST: Family Caregiving and Social Policy: Is Everything Old New Again?
- Soc. 300CF--ST: The Changing Face of Aging in America: Best Practices in Elder Care
- Soc. 300RJ--ST: Dementia: Societal and Experiential Dimensions
- Soc. 300RG/--ST: Age, Gender and Culture in Current U.S. Society
- Soc. 300NA--ST: Intimacy and Aging
- Soc. 300RH--ST: Forgotten Warriors--America's Aging Veterans
- Soc. 300AC--ST: Aging in the Community
- Soc. 300GF--ST: Grandfamilies: Raising the Children of High Risk Parents
Practicum
A&S 492--Field Practicum in Aging
Advisement
Dr. Linda Breytspraak is the advisor for the Gerontology minor. Students should contact her to declare gerontology as a minor and for advice about which classes to enroll in each term. She will help students arrange a practicum experience, but this process must begin approximately 10-12 weeks ahead of the term in which the practicum will begin.
Declaration of Minor
Students wishing to declare gerontology as a minor should complete the Declaration of Major form (bottom portion), and submit it to Dr. Breytspraak for signature. In addition, students should complete the Gerontology Enrollment Form and submit it to Dr. Breytspraak.