Minor in Gerontology / Specialist in Aging Certificate
Growth in the population of elderly persons is a trend whose effect will be increasingly felt throughout the United States, and the world. In 1900, only 4 percent of the population was over 65. As we begin the 21st century, those over 65 comprise nearly 13 percent of the population. Among those, the fastest growing segment of the population includes persons 85 and older. These trends challenge institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for students to learn about the personal, political and social implications of an aging society. To meet this challenge, the Health Sciences and Administration Department (HSA),offers a concentration in gerontology.
The Gerontology Program prepares individuals to:
1) understand the nature, depth, and scope of the explosive growth of the older adult population and,
2) address the impact of that growth on health and health care.
Students with formal training in gerontology may work in a broad range of settings. Examples include: local, state, federal and private agencies providing services to older adult, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, health promotion programs, recreational and leisure activity programs.
This interdisciplinary selection of courses is designed to: 1) provide a minor in conjunction with any major within UM-Flint and2) provide a transcript designation in Gerontology to professionals and practitioners who have already graduated and are involved or interested in the field of aging. Course work requirements will differ for students with undergraduate degrees.
In addition to the Gerontology minor, the department also offers a Specialist Certificate in Aging for students not enrolled in a UM-Flint degree program. Upon completion of program requirements, students taking either the minor or the certificate program will be awarded a Specialist Certificate in Aging.
Minor/Certificate Requirements
A minimum of 19 credits, as follows:
A. Sociology. (3 credits)
1. AGE 202
B. Health. (6 credits)
1. AGE 350, 352
C. Psychology. (3 credits)
1. PSY/AGE 347
4. Policy and Administration. (3 credits)
1. AGE 306 or HCR 378
5. Social Work. (3 credits)
1. SWK/AGE 320 or SWR/AGE 338
6. Practicum/Internship or Independent Research (1-3 credits, depending on experience): HCR 390 or HCR 388
See the University Catalog for course descriptions