Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary 
Majors and Minors

Interdisciplinary
Gerontology Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degrees

Gerontology is the holistic study of aging. It is a useful complement to numerous majors including those preparing students for work in human service settings, recreation and leisure, marketing, policy and planning, and in the design of environments, products, and attire. Students seeking applied settings are encouraged to intern or work in aging services to enhance their courses. The minor can also be used to prepare for graduate studies; with this intent, students are encouraged to participate in research with older adults. This minor has 12 required hours and 12 hours of electives, which allow the student to tailor the minor to fit special interests and needs. Advisors for this minor are located in Human Environmental Studies.

Required Courses (12 hours):
GRN 247 (3) Introduction to Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach
HSC 390 (3) Health and Aging
PSY 325 (3) Psychology of Aging
SOC 320 (3) The Sociology of Aging and Retirement 
OR HEV 418 (3) Family Development in Late Life

Elective Courses (12 hours):
RPL 345 (3) Therapeutic Recreation: Gerontology
RPL 346 (3) Recreation for Senior Citizens
CDO 544 (3) Communication Disorders in the Aged
HSC 517 (2) Drugs and the Elderly
REL 334 (3) Death and Dying 
OR HSC 519 (3) Death Education and Suicide Prevention
GRN/HEV 575 (3) Geriatric Nutrition
GRN 535 (3) Dementia Care:  Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
GRN 590 (1-4) Independent Study
GRN 597 (1-4) Special Topics
Other courses as approved by program advisor.

Total: 24 semester hours

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