Susan E. Mason, Ph.D., Coordinator
Room 108, DePaul Hall
286-8358
sem@niagara.edu

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. The gerontology program will not only introduce students to the study of aging and the aged, it will provide opportunities for experiential learning, including research training, internships and community service placements working with the elderly.

Students completing a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Gerontology are required to take GRN 100 (Introduction to Gerontology) plus four other courses from Block 1 (Psychology), three courses from each of two other blocks, and the Senior Seminar (LABA 499; LABA 403/404 for Honors Students). At least two courses, not including the Senior Seminar, must be at the 300 or 400 level. For other requirements associated with the Liberal Arts Program, click here.

Block 1

GRN 100: Introduction to Gerontology

PSY 201: Developmental Psychology

PSY 215: Psychology of Aging

PSY 401, 402, 403, 404: Supervised Research

PSY 491: Practicum

PSY 493, 494, 495, 496: Psychology Co-op

Block 4

SOC 322: Sociology of Aging

SOC 493, 494, 495, 496: Sociology Internship

Block 3

SWK 212: Human Behavior & Social Environment II

SWK 252: Death and Dying

SWK 352: Social Work with the Aging

SWK 493, 494: Social Work Internship

Block 4

BIO 101: Human Biology

BIO 104: Human Genetics

BIO 231: Human Anatomy and Physiology

BIO 337: Oncology

BIO 360: Pathophysiology

BIO 489: Internship in Health Studies

BIO 493, 494, 495, 496: Biology Co-op

BIO 497, 498, 499: Independent Study