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Aging Studies/Gerontology Minor

College of Community Studies and Public Affairs / Human Services
Undergraduate minor

About The Program

Metropolitan State University has responded to the need for education in the field of gerontology with a minor to address the social, psychological and physical aspects of aging.

Students interested in gerontology as a career can complete the human services BS degree with a gerontology minor. This minor also complements coursework in nursing, social work and the social sciences. Interpersonal sensitivity - knowing one's value system, as well as cultural and sexual identity, in addition to how these affect interactions with people of different cultures, gender, lifestyles and age levels, is necessary for students selecting gerontology as a vocational area.

Student outcomes

Students understand:

  • the needs of our heterogeneous aging population.
  • the strengths and contributions of our heterogeneous aging population.

How to enroll

Current students: Declare this program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Aging Studies/Gerontology Minor now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Aging Studies/Gerontology Minor

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements (20 credits)

Choose five

This course, designed for students in human services fields who work with older adults and their families, and students considering gerontology as a vocation, is an overview of the field. Topics include understanding the physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging, as well as the myths about aging, health and social needs of the aging, and community resources and programs.

Full course description for Aging in America: A Personal and Societal Journey

This course examines issues related to the cognitive and affective development of individuals in their later years. It maps the developmental phases that typically result in impairments that are not physical, and outlines a set of strategies to facilitate coping with those impairments. The course is recommended for those involved in direct services-nurses, activities staff members, social workers and others involved in rehabilitation.

Full course description for Mental Health and Aging

This course covers various aspects of public policy development, and planning for the aged by federal, state and local agencies. Topics include how policies are planned and implemented, the effects of policies on program services, the roles and functions of community organizations, and how they relate to governmental factions in developing, maintaining, and upgrading services and programs for the aged.

Full course description for Aging: Planning and Policy Making

Older persons are increasingly defying stereotypes through their dedication to civic, social, and creative causes. In this course, students will examine how activism can be part of successful aging, as well as how older persons contribute to society through a variety of civic engagement activities, ranging from community involvement and volunteerism to participation in the political process.

Full course description for Civic Engagement in Later Life

The aging of persons with disabilities is a new phenomenon due to improved health and advances that have increased their life-span. In addition, the aging of the baby-boomers is increasing the population of persons acquiring disabilities as they age. Is our society prepared to meet the needs of both groups? How can we prepare to assist all older persons in maintaining quality of life as they age? The need for collaboration across disability and aging networks to analyze these questions is a focus of this course.

Full course description for Aging and Disabilities

This course examines the many meanings death has for individuals. Its goals are to convey information, stimulate thought and promote a deeper awareness of this subject through readings from literature (fiction, poetry and essays) and humanistic psychology. Topics include death as an idea, death anxiety, children and death, the dying process, grief and loss, death metaphors, suicide, and longevity, survival and immortality.

Full course description for Understanding Death and Dying