Gerontology Minor
Opportunities and challenges of human aging intersect with most academic and professional disciplines. Older adults receive a range of health, social, economic and other support services (e.g. through government programs, medical centers, senior centers, long-term care facilities, not-for-profit agencies) in order to help them age successfully at home or elsewhere. The 12 credit hour Undergraduate Minor in Gerontology is designed to introduce students to this important field.
General Requirements
The minor is 12 credit hours. All students must take SOC 2170/GERON 2170: Aging in America: Concepts & Controversies (3-credit hours). The remaining 9 GERON credit hours must include at least 6 credit hours at the 3000-level or above.
Substitutions or alternative courses may be included with approval of the Gerontology Program Coordinator. At least 6 of the 12 credit hours required for the minor must be taken at UMSL. Students must achieve a grade of C- or higher in the required and elective courses to qualify for this minor.
| Required Course | ||
| SOC/GERON 2170 | Aging in America: Concepts & Controversies | 3 |
| Select 9 hours from the list below. At least 6 hours must be at the 3000-level or above. | 9 | |
Any GERON courses | ||
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology (MOTR PSYC 200) | ||
| Human Behavior in the Social Environment | ||
| Diversity and Social Justice | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Other UMSL courses and courses from other UM campuses, through ICCS or other formats, may be included as electives with prior approval of the program coordinator.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a Minor in Gerontology at the University of Missouri St. Louis, students will be able to:
- Employ lifespan/life course perspective and biological, psychological, and sociological theories to examine human development and aging.
- Distinguish factors related to aging outcomes through critical thinking and empirical research.