School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes
About This Program
The Gerontology minor provides a comprehensive understanding of aging's impact on individuals and society. Through coursework and practical experiences, you'll learn about health, social policy and end-of-life issues. Read more...
Contact Information
- Kelly Cichy | kcichy@kent.edu |
330-672-2449 - Speak with an Advisor
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
Admission Requirements
Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.
To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Requirements | ||
| GERO 14029 | INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 |
| GERO 40656 | PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING | 3 |
| SOC 42879 | AGING IN SOCIETY (DIVD) | 3 |
| Minor Electives, choose from the following: | 12 | |
| DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS | ||
| BIOLOGY OF AGING | ||
| SOCIAL POLICY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR OLDER ADULTS | ||
| ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES IN CASE MANAGEMENT | ||
| LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION I | ||
| SCIENCE OF HUMAN NUTRITION (KBS) | ||
or NUTR 33512 | INTERMEDIATE NUTRITION SCIENCE | |
| HEALTH CARE ETHICS | ||
| RECREATION, LEISURE AND AGING | ||
| DEATH AND DYING | ||
| SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE | ||
| COMMUNICATION DISORDERS OF THE AGING | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 21 | |
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Minor GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 2.250 | 2.000 |
- Students are required to meet with the human development and family science program coordinator to discuss course selection and procedures for completing the minor.
- Some courses require prerequisites, please see course descriptions for details.
- Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
- Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
- Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Describe age-related changes in biological systems, social relationships, social roles (e.g., retirement), cognitive abilities and health and well-being.
- Explain how gender identity, race, ethnicity, history, cohort, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status contribute to the experience of aging.
- Describe the implications of population aging for individuals, families and society.
Full Description
The Gerontology minor provides students with knowledge of the aging process and prepares students for professional positions in the diverse field of aging. Current predictions indicate that a "baby boomer" will turn 60 every seven seconds for the next 18 years. By 2050, it is estimated that one in five people will be over the age of 65, leading to an increase in demand for individuals with an understanding of the aging process.
The minor benefits students with a major or an interest in psychology, sociology, business, English, nursing, education, interior design, political science, speech pathology, audiology and recreation, parks and tourism management.