Gerontology B.A.
Gerontology Major
The B.A. Gerontology major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
It is suggested students take PSYCH 1001, SW 1041, and SOC 1000 as their Human Condition Domestic and Global area of UNIFI/General Education, as these are prerequisites for several of the required courses in this major.
This interdisciplinary program is offered jointly by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Wilson College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. It is administered through the Department of Family, Aging & Counseling and under the supervision of the Gerontology Advisory Committee.
Social Sciences Track
| Required - all of the following: | ||
| FAM SERV 1020 | Family Relationships | 3 |
| FAM SERV 3150/5150 | Families, Aging, and Wellbeing | 3 |
| FAM SERV/GERO 3161 | Families, Alzheimer's, and Related Dementias | 3 |
| GERO 4195 | Internship in Gerontology | 3 |
| PSYCH 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3204/5204 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| Research Methods Course - choose one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Research Methods in Family Science | ||
or PSYCH 3002 | Research Methods | |
or SOC 2010 | Research Methods | |
| Development Course - choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Lifespan Development | ||
or PSYCH 2202 | Developmental Psychology | |
| Community and Wellbeing Course - choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Aging and Health | ||
| Social Gerontology | ||
| Gerontology Electives - choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Understanding Communication Disorders | ||
| Long Term Care Administration | ||
| Families and End of Life Issues | ||
| Professional Practice in Family Services | ||
| Total Hours | 33-34 | |
Long Term Care Administration Track
| Required - all of the following: | ||
| ACCT 2120 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| FAM SERV 3161/5161 | Families, Alzheimer's, and Related Dementias | 3 |
| or GERO 3161/5161 | Families, Alzheimer's, and Related Dementias | |
| GERO 4170/5170 | Long Term Care Administration | 3 |
| GERO 4195 | Internship in Gerontology (9 credit hours) | 9 |
| PH 2160 | Medical Terminology, Short Course | 2 |
| PSYCH 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3204/5204 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| SOC 1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 3035/5035 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| Business Electives - choose three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Principles of Managerial Accounting | ||
| Legal and Social Environment of Business | ||
| Business Law | ||
| Organizational Management | ||
| Employment and Labor Law | ||
| Staffing and Employee Development | ||
| Gerontology Electives - choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Family Relationships | ||
| Lifespan Development | ||
| Families, Aging, and Wellbeing | ||
| Families and End of Life Issues | ||
| Public Health Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Note: NHA Iowa requirements - 12 hours health care administration, 6 hours gerontology, 10 hours business plus internship.
Four-Year Plan
Gerontology: Social Sciences, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 15 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 15 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Group I - IV | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Gerontology Core Courses | 3 | |
| Group I - IV | 6 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Gerontology Core Courses | 6 | |
| Group I - IV | 6 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Group I - IV | 6 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 8 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Group I - IV | 3 | |
| Choice of GERO 4195 | 3 | |
| GERO 4193 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Gerontology: Long Term Care, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| PSYCH 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| FAM SERV 1020 | Family Relationships | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT 2120 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| PH 2160 | Medical Terminology, Short Course | 2 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 10 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FAM SERV 1055 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 3035/5035 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| Business Elective | 3 | |
| Gerontology Elective | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Business Elective | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| FAM SERV 3161/5161 | Families, Alzheimer's, and Related Dementias | 3 |
| PSYCH 3204/5204 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| Business Elective | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GERO 4170/5170 | Long Term Care Administration | 3 |
| GERO 4195 | Internship in Gerontology | 0 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
Gerontology B.A.
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Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of behavior and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice.
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Students will be able to critically evaluate and apply theories of development and aging from interdisciplinary perspectives.
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Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively through their written work.
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Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to communicate orally.
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Students will be able to analyze appropriate evidence and use it to test hypotheses.
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Students will show an understanding of aging and diversity.