Health Sciences, Gerontology Concentration, B.S.

The Health Sciences major, with a concentration in Gerontology, equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with older adult populations. As an interdisciplinary social science, this concentration provides a strong foundation in statistics and research methods, which are essential to the field. Designed for students pursuing careers focused on aging populations, the Gerontology concentration offers specialized expertise in the physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging. It prepares students for roles in long-term care, senior wellness programs, community health, public health, and other aging-related healthcare fields. Additionally, it serves as a solid foundation of knowledge, prior to students pursuing graduate studies in gerontology or healthcare administration.

Health Sciences Core Requirements (15 Credits)

All Health Science students must complete the following core courses with a grade of B or higher:

HESC 0101 - Introduction to the Health Care Practice Credits: 3
HESC 0201 - Human Assessment Credits: 3
HESC 0250 - Medical Ethics Credits: 3
HESC 0350 - Research Methods in Evidence Based Practice Credits: 3
HESC 0380 - Public Health Intervention Credits: 3

Gerontology Concentration (25-26 Credits)

Students completing the Gerontology concentration must take the following courses and earn a grade of C or higher.

Gerontology Required Courses

GERO 0100 - Gerontology Lab Credits: 1
GERO 0101 - Introduction to Gerontology Credits: 3
GERO 0201 - Health & Physical Aging Credits: 3 *
MATH 0108 - Elementary Statistics Credits: 3
PSYC 0208 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3
SOCI 0321 - Sociology of Aging Credits: 3
*Students can complete both BIOL 0237 and BIOL 0239 as a substitute for GERO 0201 .
Students must choose any one research course from the following:
CRJU 0231 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
GPS 0246 - Quantitative Methods for Social and Physical Science Credits: 3
SOCI 0251 - Research Methods II: Quantitative Methods Credits: 3

Gerontology Elective Courses

Students must choose any two electives from the following:

BIOL 0203 - Genetics Credits: 4
GERO 0300 - Caregiving and Carework Credits: 3
GPS 0204 - Housing in America Credits: 3
MOVP 0202 - Introduction to Motor Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 0207 - Lifespan Development Credits: 3
SOCI 0201 - The Family Credits: 3
SOCI 0312 - Population Studies in Sociology Credits: 3
SOCI 0318 - Sociology of Medical Care Credits: 3
SOCI 0328 - Women and Aging Credits: 3
SOCI 0337 - Death and Dying Credits: 3
SOCI 0338 - Families and Aging Credits: 3
SOCW 0243 - Social Welfare Policy Analysis Credits: 3

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .

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