Degrees

The gerontology major is interdisciplinary and grounded in the excellent liberal arts tradition of Mount St. Mary’s College.

Gerontology consists of an exploration of the biopsychosocial dimensions of life course development, with a focus on the rapidly expanding aging population of the United States. In the 21st Century, careers in gerontology are projected to expand rapidly, with demand remaining high over the next several decades.

As a gerontologist, career options include case management and care management, social work, non-profit or for-profit management, and more.  The gerontology major provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in social work, public policy, the law, gerontology, and as researchers.

A Gerontology Minor and a Certificate Program also are available.

Gerontology is an excellent choice for a second major in the health and human services fields. These include social work, nursing, biology, psychology, and human services.

The option of taking all upper division courses for the major online is available by registering through the Mount's Weekend College format. If you choose this track, one on-campus meeting with the program coordinator is required when accepted into the program.

Gerontology Major - B.A. Course Requirements

Click Student Internships to see the type of internship opportunities open to students involved in sociology-related programs at Mount St. Mary's College.

The option of taking all upper division courses for the major online is available by registering through the Mount's Weekend College format. If you choose this track, one on-campus meeting with the program coordinator is required when accepted into the program.

Required Courses

GER 120 - Case Management (3)
GER 188 - Caregiving and Adaptations for Elders
GER 189 - Gerontology
GER 192 - Thanatology (3)
GER 197 - Gerontology Internship (3)
SOC 13 - Anatomy for Human Services or BIO 40 Anatomy (3)
SOC 104 - The Family (3)
SOC 112 - Medical Sociology (3)
SOC 117 - Research Methods (3)
SOC 130 - Human Communication (3)
SOC 121 - Human Services Ethics (3)
SOC 160 - Diversity in Society (3)

Plus completion of general studies requirements for a total of 124 units.

Total units for the Major in Gerontology: 36

Additional Recommended Courses

BIO 112 - Human Nutrition (3)
BUS 185 - Principles of Management (3)
GER 138 - Non-profit Management (3)
PSY 132 - Personality (3)
PSY 160 - Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSY 168 - Abnormal Psychology (3)
PSY 188 - Crisis Intervention (3)
SOC 103 - Group Therapy (3)
SOC 106 - Introduction to Psychotherapy (3)

Minor in Gerontology

Click Student Internships to see the type of internship opportunities open to students involved in sociology-related programs at Mount St. Mary's College.

Required Courses

A minimum of six courses, which must include:

SOC 104 - The Family (3)
GER 120 - Case Management (3)
GER 189 - Gerontology (3)
GER 192 - Thanatology Seminar (3)

Select the two additional courses from the Gerontology Major Required List or Recommended List of courses.

Total units for the Minor in Gerontology: 18