Program Requirements

A minor is possible but not required for the gerontology degree. With careful planning, you can use your electives toward a minor.

Check with your advisor to determine which option is best for you.

Gerontology (Comprehensive)

Bachelor of Science

Major requirements (57-58 hours):

  1. Prerequisite courses: BIO 121(3) or BMS 110(3) and 111(1); PSY 121(3), SOC 150(3). Hours will double count toward General Education requirements.
  2. Core Courses: a grade of C or better is required in each course before enrolling in practicum and seminar: GER 375 or SOC 375(3); GER 351 or PSY 350(3); BMS 260(3); GER 470 or SWK 470(3); GER 480(3).
  3. One statistics course from: AGR 330(3), MTH 340(3), PSY 200(3), QBA 237(3), REC 328(3), SOC 220(3), or another course approved by advisor.
  4. One research methods course from: PSY 203(3), PSY 302(3), SOC 301(3), or another course approved by advisor.
  5. One communication skills course from: COM 325(3), 332(3), 336(3), 390(3), 405(3), 410(3), or another course approved by advisor.
  6. One health related course from: BMS 310(3), COM 407(3), DTN 130(3), DTN 240(3), SOC 341(3), SOC 456(3), or another course approved by advisor.
  7. GER 598(9) Supervised Practicum in Gerontology; and GER 599(3) Seminar in Gerontology.
  8. Nine additional hours of Gerontology-related electives from: GER 300(1-3); GER 309 or PSY 309(3); GER 354 or PSY 354(3); GER 363 or PSY 363(3); GER 366 or PSY 366(3); GER 370 or PSY 370(3); GER 396(3); GER 397(1-3); GER 492(1-4). Other courses may be accepted as electives but must be approved by advisor.
  9. Public Affairs Capstone Experience will be fulfilled by completion of GER 598(9) and GER 599(3).
  10. Electives to complete a total of 120 hours for the degree. Students are encouraged to use these hours to complete another major or minor.

University level requirements:

  1. General Education Program and Requirements
  2. General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Gerontology electives

These are all of the pre-approved courses that count toward the nine (9) hours of gerontology electives.

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

  • GER 309 or PSY 309 - Identity and Aging in Literature and Film (three credit hours)
  • GER 354 or PSY 354 - Gender and Sexuality in Later Life (three credit hours)
  • GER 363 or PSY 363 - Death and Human Behavior (three credit hours)
  • GER 366 or PSY 366 - Families in Later Life (three credit hours)
  • GER 370 or PSY 370 - Mental Health and Aging (three credit hours)
  • GER 397 - Special Topics in Gerontology (one-to-three credit hours)
  • GER 300 - Service Learning Curricular Component (one credit hour)
  • GER 492 - Directed Research (one-to-four credit hours)

Resources