Community Health: Gerontology Concentration and Minor

Think Older: The United States is “Turning Gray”

Consider this: Today, one in eight Americans is age 65 or older. By 2030, one in five will be, as the entire Baby Boom generation reaches age 65. The proportion of young persons in the United States -- those 18 years and under – will roughly equal the proportion of older persons -- those 65 years and above. The U.S. is aging fast. Over the next few decades, every aspect of society will be affected as the balance shifts towards an older and longer-lived population. Not only will obvious areas like health care and family roles feel the impact of a “graying” society. The needs and concerns of older adults will shape transportation, communication technology, housing and community design, recreation, education, consumer products, the workplace and more. Careers in the field of aging will continue to grow in the years ahead..

PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE THROUGH GERONTOLOGY, THE STUDY OF AGING

Innovative and bold steps are needed to address the challenges and opportunities that later life brings and that an aging society faces. Gerontology -- the study of older adults and the aging process – prepares students for careers in a growing field. Gerontology also gives students insight into the universal process that we all experience. William Paterson’s Gerontology program is an eighteen-credit interdisciplinary course of study of the biological, physiological, social, and psychological processes of aging. The program is offered through the University’s Department of Community Health in collaboration with the Departments of Exercise and Movement Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology. The Gerontology Concentration, available to Community Health majors, focuses on promoting the health and well being of older people. A Gerontology minor is available to students of other majors. Internships give students with practical, career-building experience.

Career Opportunities Are Diverse and Growing

The aging process and the “graying” of Americans affect every aspect of life and society. William Paterson’s Gerontology program complements any field of study-- community health, nursing, communication, business, sociology, psychology, biology, pre-med or pre-law. Depending upon the field of study, the Gerontology concentration or minor can help to prepare the student for graduate school or professional programs in health education, public health, health care administration, physical therapy, social work, counseling, or exercise physiology, or architecture. Career opportunities in the field of aging are wide ranging, from health and human services to government and corporate positions. Some professionals with a background in gerontology provide services directly to older adults and their families. Others plan, design and develop community services, housing or products for the older population. Public policy, research and evaluation, education, public relations, or administration offer other career paths. Because the older population itself is diverse, there are opportunities to work with healthy, active older adults or with those who are frail and more vulnerable. Positions include:

COURSE OF STUDY for GERONTOLOGY CONCENTRATION AND MINOR
Students must complete a total of 18 credits

Required: 15 credits
CMHL 270 Concepts and Issues of Aging
CMHL 371 Health Aspects of Aging
CMHL 372 Policy and Programs in Aging
PSY 330** Psychology of Aging and Adult Development
SOC 358** Sociology of Death and Grief

One Elective : 3 credits
CMHL 210 Women’s Health
PEDA 462 Exercise for Older Adults
PSY 210 Developmental Psychology
SOC 349 Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 355 Sociology of Aging


Gerontology Concentration for Community Health Majors


Required Core Courses 34 Credits
CMHL 301 Health Education:Theory and Practice
CMHL 375 Human Disease
CMHL 351 Community Health Program Planning
CMHL 304 Research, Analysis, and Evaluation in Health
CMHL 400 Epidemiology
CMHL 430 Health Counseling
CMHL 451 Methods in Health Education
CMHL 496 Introduction to Internships
CMHL 497 Internship in Community Health*

*Community Health majors who elect the gerontology concentration intern in an age-related site.
**Prerequisites waived for Psy 330 and Soc 358

For additional information, contact Dr. Daphne Joslin
Gerontology Coordinator, Department of Community Health
Wing 147 Phone: (973) 720-264; E-mail: joslind@wpunj.edu