Course List
-
The Master's program consists of 8 required 3-credit courses, listed below, plus 12 credits of electives. Elective offerings will be listed on this website as they are developed. Up to three credits of practicum
experience may be included.
-
The Graduate Certificate program consists of 5 required 3-credit courses, indicated by an asterisk (*) in the listing below. The remaining 6 credits can be taken from other core courses or from gerontology electives. Up to three credits of practicum
experience may be included.
| Year |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
2007-2008 |
* |
GERON 530 Perspectives in Gerontology
|
|
GERON 563 Environments and Aging
|
* |
GERON 594 Professional Seminar in Gerontology
|
* |
GERON 540 Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging |
* |
GERON 534 Adult Development |
* |
GERON 584 Program Evaluation and Research Methods |
2008-2009 |
* |
GERON 530 Perspectives in Gerontology |
* |
GERON 534 Adult Development |
* |
GERON 594 Professional Seminar in Gerontology |
|
GERON 545 Economics, Public Policy and Aging |
|
GERON 577 Aging in the Family |
|
|
2009-2010 |
* |
GERON 530 Perspectives in Gerontology |
|
GERON 563 Environments and Aging
|
* |
GERON 594 Professional Seminar in Gerontology
|
* |
GERON 540 Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging |
* |
GERON 534 Adult Development |
* |
GERON 584 Program Evaluation and Research Methods |
Notes:
* = Course required for certificate
Each course is offered at least every other year, depending upon demand.
Some courses may be offered more frequently than the above table indicates.
Priority for registration will go to students admitted into the Gerontology program.
Core Course Descriptions
GERON 530: Perspectives in Gerontology (Cr. 3. Fall)
An overview of current aging issues including the current focus of gerontology theory and research, critical social and political issues in aging, the interdisciplinary focus of gerontology, current career opportunities, and
aging in the future.
GERON 534: Adult Development (Cr. 3. Spring)
This course explores the biological, psychological, and social factors that are associated with aging. Although the focus is on the later years, information is presented from a life-span developmental framework.
Empirical studies are reviewed and their strengths, limitations and implications for normative and optimal functioning are discussed.
GERON 540: Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging (Cr. 3. Fall)
This course identifies the basic physiologic changes during aging and their impacts in health and disease. The focus will be on successful aging with special emphasis on physical activity and nutrition. Practical
application to community settings is addressed.
GERON 545: Economics, Public Policy, and Aging (same as HD FS 545) (Cr. 3. Fall)
Policy development in the context of the economic status of the elderly populations. Retirement planning and the retirement decision; Social Security and public transfer programs for the elderly;
intra-family transfers to/from the elderly; private pensions; financing medical care for the elderly; prospects and issues for the future.
GERON 563: Environments and Aging (same as HD FS 563) (Cr. 3. Spring)
Examination of attributes of physical environments that support special needs of older people and applications of this knowledge to the design and management of housing, institutional settings, neighborhoods and communities.
GERON 577: Aging in the Family Setting (same as HDFS 577) (Cr. 3. Spring)
Theories and research related to personal and family adjustments in later life affecting older persons and their intergenerational relationships. Related issues including demographics also are examined
through the use of current literature.
GERON 584: Program Evaluation and Research Methods (same as HD FS 584; Cr. 3. Summer)
Overview of program evaluation, research methods, and grant writing in gerontology. Includes application of quantitative and qualitative methods in professional settings.
GERON 594: Professional Seminar in Gerontology (same as HD FS 594; Cr. 3. Summer)
An integrative experience for gerontology students designed to be taken near the end of the degree program. By applying knowledge gained in earlier coursework, students will strengthen skills in
ethical decision-making behavior, applying these sills in gerontology-related areas such as advocacy, professionalism, family and workplace issues. Students from a variety of professions will bring their unique perspectives to bear on topics of common interest.
Electives
In addition to the 24-credit core, students will select 12 credits of electives to fulfill the 36-credit requirement for the master's program. The Great Plains-IDEA campus coordinator will notify students of special topic Gerontology courses offered throughout the year. These courses may
cover topics such as:
- Global aging
- Grandparent-grandchild relations
- Adult learners
- Study tour
- Leadership in aging organizations
- Intergenerational issues and programs
- Arts and humanities
- Advanced theories on aging
- Current topics
- Community services and aging
- Ethics
- Rural aging
- Statistics
Other regularly offered courses that may serve as electives are:
- FFP 540 Estate Planning for Families, 3 Credits
- FFP 545 Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits, 3 Credits
- GERON 501A Women and Aging
- GERON 501B Biological Principles of Aging
- GERON 501C Long Term Care
- GERON 501D Physical Activity in Aging
- GERON 501E Mental Health and Aging
- GERON 501F Ethics and Health Care
- C Dev 523 Grantwriting
