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
In addition to the University Curriculum and the College of Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts Track requirements, students majoring in Gerontology must meet the following requirements for graduation:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Gerontology Core Requirements | ||
| Required courses for the major in gerontology: | ||
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology 1 | 3 |
| PS 101 | Introduction to Psychology 1 | 3 |
| GT 205 | From College to Career (SO/CJ 205) | 1 |
| GT 263 | Sociology of the Aged (SO 263) | 3 |
| PS 234 | Adult Development Psychology (GT 234) | 3 |
| GT 290 | Research Methods (SO 290) | 3 |
| BMS 200 | Biology of Aging 1 | 3 |
| GT 382 | Studying Social Issues with Statistics (SO 382) | 3 |
| GT 385 | Senior Capstone (SO 385) | 3 |
| Two internships in the community: | ||
| GT 392 | Internship in the Community | 3 |
| GT 394 | Advanced Internship in the Community | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 1 | ||
| Social Stratification 1 | ||
| Sociology of Families (WS 255) 1 | ||
| Social Welfare Institutions | ||
| Population and Society 1 | ||
| Illness and Disability 1 | ||
| Death, Grief & Bereavement (GT 305) | ||
| Ethics and Human Values 1 | ||
| Philosophies of Health, Healing and Medicine 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Death and Dying | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
Any PT or OT course | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Program Planning and Administration (SO 270) | ||
| Special Topics in Gerontology | ||
| Death, Grief and Bereavement (SO 305) | ||
| Introduction to Social Work (SO 311) | ||
| Case Management (SO 315) | ||
| Therapeutic Recreation | ||
| Counseling Older Clients (SO 325) | ||
| Total Credits | 43 | |
| 1 | These courses also satisfy University Curriculum requirements. |
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.