Missouri State University

Program Requirements

Mapping the major

Students pursuing a degree in gerontology must meet the requirements listed below to be eligible for graduation, complete a total of 125 hours including general education courses, and fulfill the General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

Gerontology (Comprehensive)

Bachelor of Science

  1. General Education Requirements - see General Education Program and Requirements section of catalog
    The following prerequisite courses will meet General Education requirements: COM 115(3); PLS 101(3); PSY 121(3); BIO 102(4) or BMS 100(4) or 105(4) or 110(4)

  2. Major Requirements

    1. Prerequisite for required courses for Gerontology major: none

    2. Core courses for Gerontology major:

      1. Substantive Aging Courses: GER 310/SOC 375(3); GER 380(3); GER 470/SWK470(3); PSY 365(3), 451(3)

      2. Research Methods Course: PSY 203(3) or PSY 302(3) or SOC 301(3) or another course approved by advisor

      3. Communication Skills Course: COM 332(3) or 390(3) or 405(3) or another course approved by advisor

      4. Statistics Course: AGR 330(3) or MTH 340(3) or PSY 200(3) or QBA 237(3) or REC 328(3) or SOC 302(3) or another course approved by advisor

      5. Health Sciences Course: BMS 130(3) or 240(3) or 310(3) or COM 507(3) or another course focusing on issues of physical health and wellness selected by the student with advisor approval

    3. Other required courses: GER 598(3-12), Supervised Practicum in Gerontology and GER 599(3), Seminar in Gerontology

    4. Electives to complete comprehensive major: 6 hours of GER or PSY designated courses related to aging issues with another 3 hours selected by the student with advisor approval

  3. Electives to complete 125 hours. Students are encouraged to use these hours to complete another major or minor.

  4. General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements - see General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements section of catalog

Electives in the gerontology major

  • PSY 309 - Identity and Aging in Literature and Film (3)
  • GER 320/PSY 354 - Gender Issues in Later Life (3)
  • PSY 363 - Death and Human Behavior (3)
  • GER 365/PSY 366 - Families in Later Life (3)
  • GER 397 - Special Topics in Gerontology  (1-3 Variable topic courses)
  • GER 300 - Service Learning Curricular Component (1)
  • GER 597 - Impact of Aging in the 21st Century (1-3)

Note: Other courses may be accepted as electives for the gerontology major but must be approved by a gerontology advisor.