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Gerontology - Minor

The Gerontology minor provides a comprehensive understanding of aging's impact on individuals and society. Through coursework and practical experiences, you'll learn about health, social policy and end-of-life issues.

Minor in Gerontology

Kent State University’s Minor in Gerontology allows students to enhance their education with specialized knowledge in gerontology studies. This minor provides additional career prospects in related industries.

Program Information for Gerontology - Minor

Program Description

Full Description

The Gerontology minor provides students with knowledge of the aging process and prepares students for professional positions in the diverse field of aging. Current predictions indicate that a "baby boomer" will turn 60 every seven seconds for the next 18 years. By 2050, it is estimated that one in five people will be over the age of 65, leading to an increase in demand for individuals with an understanding of the aging process.

The minor benefits students with a major or an interest in psychology, sociology, business, English, nursing, education, interior design, political science, speech pathology and audiology.

Admissions for Gerontology - Minor

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Describe age-related changes in biological systems, social relationships, social roles (e.g., retirement), cognitive abilities and health and well-being.
  2. Explain how gender identity, race, ethnicity, history, cohort, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status contribute to the experience of aging.
  3. Describe the implications of population aging for individuals, families and society.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements
Minor Requirements
GERO 14029INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (KSS) 3
GERO 40656PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING 3
HDF 24011INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES 3
Minor Electives, choose from the following:6
ARCH 45640
DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS
COMM 36500
HEALTH COMMUNICATION
EXSC 40612
EXERCISE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OLDER ADULT
GERO 41096
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION
GERO 44030
RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD (WIC)
HDF 44039
BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS
LTCA 44032
LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION I
NURS 20950
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
NUTR 23511
SCIENCE OF HUMAN NUTRITION (KBS)
PSYC 11762
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS)
PSYC 41581
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
SOC 12050
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS)
SOC 42010
DEATH AND DYING
SOC 42563
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE
SOC 42879
AGING IN SOCIETY
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • Students are required to meet with the human development and family science program coordinator to discuss course selection and procedures for completing the minor.
  • Some courses require prerequisites, please see course descriptions for details.
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

A minor in Gerontology is a great compliment to students majoring in:

  • Audiology
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Sociology
  • Speech Pathology
  • Other majors who plan to work with older adults
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