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Study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging
The Gerontology Minor/Certificate Program provides students with a strong foundation in gerontology, preparing them to work with and advocate for older adults. The program is structured so students are able to individualize their courses of study to fit their career needs.
Typically, degree-seeking students choose the minor and non-degree-seeking students choose the certificate. The requirements for both the minor and the certificate are the same - the equivalent of 20 credits. There are two core courses (4 credits each), a 4-credit fieldwork project, and 8 credits of elective courses required.
Preparing students for the future
Because the population of the United States is aging, gerontology has become a popular topic in the past several years . The number of adults over 65 years of age is expected to increase dramatically in the near future. In fact, by 2030, it's estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 65 years.
Given this dramatic increase, those with preparation in gerontology will be best prepared to meet the demands of our aging population. This is especially true in the fields of nursing, social work, psychology, medicine, occupational and physical therapy, exercise physiology, economics and management. Thus, the study of aging complements many majors.
Program Outcomes
Specifically, graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate:
- Mastery of the biopsychosocial content area of gerontology
- Ability to communicate about gerontological matters, demonstrating appropriate application of terms and content.
- Competency in accessing gerontological research findings and integrating these findings with other scholarly information and personal observations.
Formats and Locations
The minor in gerontology is offered in a traditional, on-campus format at our main Duluth campus. Some elective courses are available in an accelerated format online.
Application to the program (traditional undergraduates only)
Traditional undergraduate students must first be accepted to St. Scholastica. Visit our traditional undergraduate admissions section for more information. All students pursuing the minor or certificate must contact the program director to register for the program.
