Minor in Gerontology (18)

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The gerontology program is an interdisciplinary program that fosters educational, research, and service activities pertinent to aging. The program offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor and an interdisciplinary certificate of undergraduate study. The gerontology minor and certificate allow students to integrate current knowledge and research on adulthood and aging into their degree programs. FACS majors are eligible to pursue the gerontology minor.

Check departmental information for additional requirements.

Requirements (18)

A degree-program student must apply to the gerontology program. Students must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours with at least 12 semester hours from the primary content area. Credit hours applied to satisfy the requirements for a major may be counted again as satisfying the requirements for this minor.

Primary Content Area (12)

GERO 365 - Overview of Gerontology Credits: 3
GERO 366 - Health Aspects of Aging Credits: 3
OR GERO 369 - Dementia Studies Credits: 3
GERO 468 - Leadership in Aging Services Credits: 3
OR PHHE 410 - Coping with Death, Dying, and Loss Credits: 3
HDFS 465 - Theories and Issues in Aging Studies Credits: 3

Two of the following (6)

GERO 418 - Social Policy and Advocacy in Aging Credits: 3
GERO 442 - Gerontology: Community Services Credits: 3
GERO 466 - Topics in Gerontology Credits: 3
Students may take this course for 3-6 semester hours.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours.
GERO 467 - Internship in Aging Services Credits: 3-12
HDFS 280 - Human Development, the Family, and Society Credits: 3
HDFS 280 is available for general education credit.
OR PSYC 225 - Lifespan Development: Childhood Through Adulthood Credits: 3
PSYC 225 is available for general education credit.
OR HDFS 284 - Introduction to Family Relationships Credits: 3
HDFS 486 - Aging and the Family Credits: 3
KNPE 463 - Exercise and Physical Activity across the Lifespan Credits: 3
KNPE 463 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
NUTR 201 - Human Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 201 is available for general education credit.
NUTR 428 - Nutrition and Aging Credits: 3
PHHE 433 - Principles of Long-Term Care Administration Credits: 3
PSYC 425 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3
Six or more semester hours in gerontology course work for the minor must be taken at NIU.