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Psychology 

Major Requirements

Requirements for a B.S. in Gerontology (Comprehensive)
Major Requirements: (must total 46 hours)

Prerequisite Courses that also meet General Education Requirements

Additional Required Courses for the Gerontology Major

Core Courses Required for the Gerontology Major

Electives in the Gerontology Major

Prerequisite Courses That Also Meet General Education Requirements

  • Fundamentals of Public Speaking (COM 115)
  • American Government I: Organization and Function (PLS 101)
  • Introductory Psychology (PSY 121)
  • Biological Concepts (BIO 101) or Principles of Biological Sciences (BIO 102) or Concepts and Laboratory in the Life Sciences (BMS 105) or Concepts in the BioMedical Sciences (BMS 110)
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHM 105) or Fundamental of Chemistry (CHM 106) or Chemistry for the Citizen (CHM 107) or General Chemistry (CHM 160)

*Transfer students may discuss alternative courses that also meet University General Education requirements.

Additional Required Courses For The Gerontology Major

  • Aging and Adulthood PSY 350 or another course approved by the Director of Gerontology

Core Courses Required For The Gerontology Major

Substantive Aging Courses:

  • Biology of Aging (BMS 260)
  • Aging and Adjustment (PSY 365)
  • Social Forces and Aging (GER 310)
  • Seniors Citizens: Policies and Politics (GER 380)
  • Community Resources for Older Adults (GER 470)

Research Methods Courses:

  • Research Methodology (SOC 201) or Experimental Psychology (PSY 201) or Introduction to Research (PSY 203)
(A comparable course approved by the advisor may also be accepted)

Statistics Course:

  • Statistical Applications in Agriculture (AGR 330) or Basic Statistics for Economists (ECO 308) or Statistical Methods (MTH 340) or Psychological Statistical Methods (PSY 200) or Basic Business Statistics (QBA 237) or Statistical Applications in Leisure Service(REC 331) or Statistics for Social Research (SOC 302)

Communication Skills Courses:

  • Communication and Aging (COM 390) or Effective Listening (COM 326) or Small Group Communication (COM 332) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 405)
(A comparable course approved by the advisor may also be accepted)

Health Sciences Course:

  • Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging (BMS 310)
(A comparable course approved by the advisor may also be accepted)

Required Practicum and Seminar in Gerontology:

  • Supervised Practicum in Gerontology (GER 498)
  • Seminar in Gerontology (GER 499)

Electives in the Gerontology Major

  • Gender Issues in Later Life (GER 320)
  • Ethnic Diversity and Aging (GER 330)
  • Death, Bereavement and the Elderly (GER 350)
  • Families in Later Life (GER 365)
  • Special Topics in Gerontology (GER 397) (Variable topic courses)
  • The Elderly and the Media (GER 301) - an intersession course
    Successful Aging and Identity Issues in Later Life (GER 302) - an intersession course
  • Service Learning Curricular Component (GER 300)
NOTE: Other courses may be accepted as electives for the Gerontology Major but must be approved by a Gerontology advisor.
Please see the Missouri State undergraduate catalog or the gerontology courses website for detailed course descriptions

For more information on the Gerontology Major or required courses
contact Dr. Mary C Newman or Dr. Carol Gosselink at 836-6530, 836-6859 or
by Email at mcn738f@missouristate.edu, cag464f@missouristate.edu