Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology
Program Contact: Catherine Richards Solomon 203-582-5264
Quinnipiac is one of the few universities to offer an undergraduate major that anticipates one of the growing realities in our society: the rise in the number of older Americans. Every aspect of our society will be affected by the rapidly growing number of people over age 65. Gerontology prepares students to have careers that can address these societal changes. Jobs related to gerontology are among the fastest growing in the U.S. right now, and can be found in a range of professions, from health and business to policy and social programs. Nearly every profession entails working with clients over 65. Our curriculum is unique in that it provides students with a broad understanding of the various issues older individuals and their families face in later life: how our families and social networks changes as we age, the effects of aging on our minds and bodies, and which social programs and policies exist to help older people and families. Because the effects of an aging population are so far-reaching, the program is based on interdisciplinary studies, including courses from sociology, psychology, biology, philosophy and law.
Gerontology majors also complete two semester-long internships in public or private agencies involved directly with the elderly, such as senior centers, retirement complexes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, community aging services, case management agencies and nursing homes. Students are prepared to continue their education or assume careers in aging-related areas such as social work, law, public health, medicine, health administration and public policy.
Gerontology Curriculum
Students majoring in gerontology must meet the following requirements for graduation:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum 2 | 21-24 | |
| Gerontology Core Requirements | ||
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology 3 | 3 |
| PS 101 | Introduction to Psychology 3 | 3 |
| GT 205 | From College to Career (SO/CJ 205) | 1 |
| GT 263 | Sociology of Aging (SO 263) | 3 |
| PS 234 | Adult Development & Aging (GT 234) | 3 |
| GT 290 | Research Methods (SO 290) | 3 |
| BMS 200 | Biology and Experience of Human Aging 3 | 3 |
| GT 382 | Studying Social Issues with Statistics (SO 382) | 3 |
| GT 385 | Senior Seminar (SO 385) | 3 |
| Two internships in the community: | ||
| GT 392 | Internship in the Community (SO 392) | 3 |
| GT 394 | Advanced Internship in the Community | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 3 | ||
| Social Stratification 3 | ||
| Sociology of Families (WS 255) 3 | ||
| Social Welfare Institutions | ||
| Population and Society 3 | ||
| Illness and Disability 3 | ||
| Death, Grief and Bereavement (GT 305) | ||
| Ethics and Human Values 3 | ||
| Philosophies of Health, Healing and Medicine 3 | ||
| Philosophy of Death and Dying | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
Any PT or OT course | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Program Planning and Administration (SO 270) | ||
| Death, Grief and Bereavement (SO 305) | ||
| Introduction to Social Work (SO 311) | ||
| Case Management (SO 315) | ||
| Free Electives | 10-13 | |
| Total Credits | 120-126 | |
| 1 | All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements. |
| 2 | Students must complete the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements specific to their major. See details below. |
| 3 | These courses also satisfy University Curriculum requirements. |
College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum
The College of Arts and Sciences offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. Students earning either degree must complete one foreign language through the 102-level, and all students are encouraged to pursue a balanced program of study.
In addition, students earning a bachelor of arts degree must fulfill separate requirements for breadth and depth of study.
For the breadth requirement, students must complete at least 3 credits in each of the four CAS disciplinary areas other than the area of the student’s major. These areas are fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. A course taken to fulfill the CAS breadth requirement may not also be used to fulfill a UC requirement.
For the depth requirement, students must complete at least 9 credits within a single subject area other than that of the major. (A “subject area” is identified with a catalog subject code, such as PL, CJ, WS, MA, etc.)
A student enrolled in the Accelerated Dual-Degree BA/JD or BS/JD (3+3) program is exempt from these College of Arts and Sciences requirements, with the exception of the foreign language requirement. A student pursuing a double major is likewise exempt from these College of Arts and Sciences requirements, with the exception of the foreign language requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will achieve the following competencies:
- Diversity awareness: Students learn to identify the perspectives of diverse groups among the older population and the effect of group membership on aging processes and the experience of being old in America.
- Social scientific literacy: Students learn the logic of research methodology and be able to understand and critique the results of scientific research generated by scholars in disciplines related to gerontology.
- Critical thinking: Students apply disciplinary theories and concepts to interpret aging and experiences of being old as well as scholarship from multiple perspectives through clear oral and written articulation.
- Sociological understanding of society: Students are able to discuss the theories, critical concepts and ideas that form the basis of gerontological knowledge and will understand how social structure affects the distribution of cultural and material resources across social groups in the older population.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective freshmen are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.