Gerontology

As the elderly population in the United States continues to grow, there is a corresponding increase in the need to prepare a workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and values.

Some students are preparing for careers that will bring them in direct contact with older adults in health and human services, government, business, or education. Others may have less direct contact, but because older adults represent a large and growing segment of the population, students in every major will benefit from an understanding of the interests, abilities and needs of older adults.

Students completing the Bachelor of Arts degree take three required courses and seven electives. The required courses are

• GRN 100: Introduction to Gerontology,
• GRN 403: Supervised Research, 
• GRN 493: Internship.
• The electives represent three disciplinary perspectives: biological, psychological and sociocultural.

Depending on their interests and career plans, students select between one and five courses from each of the disciplinary perspectives.   

Graduates of the Niagara University gerontology program are well positioned to enter the workforce or continue their studies in professional or graduate programs. The gerontology major provides every student with a broad knowledge base, as well as research and applied experience.

The program’s flexibility allows students to select electives, minors, and double majors that support their interests and career goals. Students also have a choice of research topics and placement sites.