Gerontology Quick Facts Updated: 11/18/15 Contact: Dr. Anne Glass‐ Coordinator of Gerontology
 glassa@uncw.edu  910‐962‐7509  McNeill Hall 2032 Student Involvement Opportunities:  Gerontology Generations  Sigma Phi Omega – Gerontology Honor Society Gerontology Highlights:  Students will work with aging individuals in any career setting. Everyone can benefit from learning more about aging.  Focus on health and activity in aging  Opportunity to help facilitate the Senior Games through the YMCA (physical and artistic events)  Many online courses  3 program options: Minor in Gerontology (undergraduate), Post‐Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology, M.S. in Applied Gerontology Minor in Gerontology Required Courses (21 credit hours):  GRN 101 Introduction to Gerontology (LDN)  GRN 440 Current Issues in Gerontology (offered fall only)  SOC 336 Sociology of Aging (LDN)  PSY 324 Psychology of Aging  HEA 325 Health & Aging  6 hours of electives (must be approved by GRN coordinator) o Typical electives include:  COM 296 Cross‐Cultural Communication & Aging  COM 392 Aging & Communication  GRN 446 Health Care Access for the Elderly  GRN 491 Directed Independent Study in Gerontology  GRN 495 Special Topic Seminar in Gerontology  PAR 215 Bioethics  PSY 223 Lifespan Human Development  PSY 416 Adult Development & Life Transitions  REC 369 Therapeutic Recreation for Aging  SOC 220 Sociology of Birth & Death (UHIB)  SOC 418 Women & Aging  SWK 310 Program & Policies for Older Adults Post‐Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology Application Deadlines (3 start dates per year):  Spring start date: November 15  Summer start date: March 15  Fall start date: June 15 Admission Requirements:  Students apply online through the Graduate School  Bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited university  “B” or better in the following prerequisite courses: o Introductory coursework in gerontology or aging. If student does not have previous gerontology coursework, they can take GRN 101 at UNCW prior to enrolling in any graduate gerontology course. o Introduction to Sociology o Introduction to Psychology o Statistics & Research Methodology o Principles of Biology  An essay on the applicant’s goals in pursuing the certificate  Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields Core Courses (15 credit hours): o GRN 501 Aging & Society or SOC 501 Aging & Society o GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging o GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology o GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology o PSY 524 The Psychology of Aging What students/advisors need to know:  Coursework is all online combined with service‐learning practical experiences that can be completed at any approved location.  The post baccalaureate certificate in gerontology is interdisciplinary and designed for students with an interest in aging.  This certificate can be earned in concert with another Master’s degree.  Academic foundation for anyone who plans to work with aging adults  If a student is missing one of the prerequisite courses, an exception may be made where they are accepted to the program under the condition that they first complete the missing prerequisite course prior to beginning the graduate courses. 
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What students/advisors need to know:  The GRN minor is interdisciplinary and designed for students with a general interest in aging.  Many of the courses for the minor are offered online. Master of Science in Applied Gerontology (prior to Fall 2015) Application Deadlines (3 start dates per year):  Spring start date: November 15  Summer start date: March 15  Fall start date: June 15 Admission Requirements:  Students apply online through the Graduate School  Bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited university  “B” or better in the following prerequisite courses: o Introductory coursework in gerontology or aging. If student does not have previous gerontology coursework, they can take GRN 101 at UNCW prior to enrolling in any graduate gerontology course. o Introduction to Sociology o Introduction to Psychology o Statistics & Research Methodology o Principles of Biology  An essay on the applicant’s goals in pursuing the master’s in gerontology  Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields.  Official GRE scores Required Courses (36 credit hours):  GRN 501 – Aging and Society  GRN 503 – Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology  GRN 523 – Physiology of Human Aging  GRN 540 – Current Issues in Gerontology  GRN 590 – Practicum in Gerontology (6 hours required)  GRN 597 – Final Project Proposal Preparation  GRN 598 – Final Project in Gerontology  PSY 524 – The Psychology of Aging  9 hours of electives 
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Primary goal of program is to improve the health of the region’s older adults. GRN 590 Practicum requires 250 clock hours of experience gaining hands‐on experience with an organization that delivers services to older adults. If a student is missing one of the prerequisite courses, an exception may be made where they are accepted to the program under the condition that they first complete the missing prerequisite course prior to beginning the graduate courses. Examples of elective courses: GRN 518 Women & Aging, GRN 522 Family Health & Aging, GRN 546 Health Care Access for Older Adults, GRN 570 Impact of Combat on Aging, GRN 595 special topics seminars. What students/advisors need to know: Core Courses (39 credit hours):
 Trains professionals to face the challenges of the aging population through  GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology (offered fall only) service‐learning and research.  PSY 524 The Psychology of Aging  Coursework is online (except for 1 research course) combined with service‐
 GRN 503 Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology learning practical experiences that can be completed at any approved location.  GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging  This degree is interdisciplinary and designed for students with a general  GRN 586 Interprofessional Collaboration: Careers in Aging interest in aging.  GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology  Graduates affect the quality of life for older adults in retirement communities,  GRN 597 Master’s Project Proposal Development health care settings and within other public/private settings.  GRN 598 Final Project in Gerontology Master of Science in Applied Gerontology (Fall 2015 and after) Concentrations (student must select 1):  Generalist Gerontologist Concentration: o Designed for students desiring a broad basis of aging knowledge and Application Deadlines (3 start dates per year): allows for some individual tailoring of the degree.  Spring start date: November 15  12 hours (must be approved by program coordinator)  Summer start date: March 15  Fall start date: June 15  Aging Services Administration Concentration (Business Foundations Admission Requirements: Certificate from CSB):  Students apply online through the Graduate School o In collaboration with the Cameron School of Business, provides  Bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited university individuals with fundamental skills needed to create innovative  “B” or better in the following prerequisite courses: services, programs and businesses to meet the growing demands of o Introductory coursework in gerontology or aging. If student does not the aging demographic. Students will earn a Business Foundations have previous gerontology coursework, they can take GRN 101 at Certificate along with their MS. UNCW prior to enrolling in any graduate gerontology course.  BUS 512 Information Systems & Technology o Introduction to Sociology 
BUS 559 Management Foundations o Introduction to Psychology 
BUS 540 Marketing Decision Making I o Statistics & Research Methodology 
BUS 505 Financial Accounting o Principles of Biology  BUS 525 Principles of Microeconomics  An essay on the applicant’s goals in pursuing the master’s in gerontology  BUS 535 Corporate Financial Management  Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields.  Official GRE scores  Elder Advocacy Concentration: o Trains future professionals in a variety of skills that will be beneficial What students/advisors need to know: for work in the private and non‐profit sector. Students will study  Coursework is online combined with service‐learning practical experiences that policy, grant writing, elder law and family systems in order to be can be completed at any approved location. advocates for older adults.  Interdisciplinary degree  GRN 546 Health Care Access for the Elderly  Designed for students with a general interest in aging.  GRN 522 Family Health & Aging  Degree includes core courses and one concentration area.  SWK 595 Grant Writing for Human Services  Graduates affect the quality of life for older adults in retirement communities,  SWK 538 Social Service Practices for Older Adults health care settings and within other public/private settings.  GRN 595 Elderlaw  Primary goal of program is to improve the health of the region’s older adults.  If a student is missing one of the prerequisite courses, an exception may be made to allow them acceptance into the program under the condition that they first complete the missing prerequisite course prior to beginning graduate courses.  GRN 590 Practicum requires 250 clock hours of experience gaining hands‐on experience with an organization that delivers services to older adults. Office of Student Success Contact Information:  McNeill Hall, Room 1002  chhs@uncw.edu  910‐962‐3208  Liaison: Ashley Auerbach, auerbacha@uncw.edu