Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging. At Methodist University, students will be able to learn about the strategies, processes, and studies involved in the field.
Common Career Paths
Some of the top jobs for those with Gerontology minors with a related major include geriatric care manager, social worker, nursing and home health aide, life enrichment coordinator, nursing aide, and so much more.
Common Salary Ranges for Graduates
As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with Gerontology educational backgrounds. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:
- Home health and personal care aid: $29,260
- Nursing assistant: $33,250
- Healthcare social worker: $62,310
Average Tuition Cost
The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.
Interested in Methodist University’s Gerontology minor?
If you have questions, reach out to Dr. Carla Fagan at his contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, visit the link below!
Frequently Asked Questions
As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with Gerontology degrees. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:
- Home health and personal care aid: $29,260
- Nursing assistant: $33,250
- Healthcare social worker: $62,310
Some of the top jobs for those with Gerontology bachelor degrees include geriatric care manager, social worker, nursing and home health aide, life enrichment coordinator, nursing aide, and so much more.
Minor Requirements
The Gerontology minor consists of 18 credits, distributed as follows:
Required Core Courses
9 credits
| GRN 3010 Introduction to Gerontology (3) | GRN 3450 Physiology of Aging (3) |
| GRN 4500 Research Seminar (3) or GRN 4700 Internship (3) |
Electives
Select three courses from the following list:
| GRN 3050 Death and Dying (3) | SWK 3020 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3) |
| GRN 3800 Social Work with Older Adults (3) | SWK 3150 Helping Processes (3) |
| GRN 3880 Medical Sociology (3) |
A student doing a senior level research project or internship in his or her major field may substitute that course for GRN 4500 or 4700 if it focuses on senior adults and meets the approval of the Director of the Gerontology Program.
Gerontology Courses
GRN 3010 INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (3)
Aging, including historical perspectives; demographic trends; psychological and physiological processes of later life; and social role behavior in such areas as retirement, politics, religion, family life, housing, death, and dying.
Cross-listed with SOC 3010 and SWK 3010
Offered: as needed
GRN 3050 DEATH AND DYING (3)
Personal and societal reaction to death with emphasis on euthanasia and suicide and the experience of the dying individual in relation to self, family, and care-providing institutions.
Cross-listed: SOC 3050 and SWK 3050
Offered: as needed
GRN 3450 PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING (3)
This course will examine changes with aging in various body systems, diseases found primarily among the aging, and maintenance of health in aging, especially through nutrition and exercise programs.
Cross-listed: SOC 3450 and SWK 3450
Offered: as needed
GRN 3800 SOCIAL WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS (3)
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills for working with older individuals, their families, and the community. Skills in helping such as interviewing, assessment and planning, intervention and evaluation, are presented and practiced as applicable to older adults. Systems providing services to older adults such as income maintenance, health care, nutrition, housing, mental health, social and institutional care are presented. Students learn strategies to act as advocates and change agents on behalf of older adults.
Prerequisites: SWK 2310 and GRN 3010 Cross-listed with SWK 3800
Offered: as needed
GRN 3880 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY (3)
A study of the national and global health care system and social factors in health and illness, including the social demography of health, epidemiology, health and illness behavior, health care professions, the hospital as a social system, the sick role, medical ethics, and health care policy.
Offered: as needed
Cross-listed with SOC 3880
GRN 4500 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3)
Students will design and conduct a research project on some aspect of aging.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, completion of 12 credits within the Gerontology Program including GRN 3010, and consent of the instructor
Cross-listed with SOC 4500
Offered: as needed
GRN 4700 INTERNSHIP (3)
Student placement in an approved community setting for supervised learning experience. Minimum requirements of 1000 hours in the agency and a weekly on-campus seminar.
Prerequisites: senior standing, completion of 12 credits within the Gerontology Program including GRN 3010, and consent of the instructor
Cross-listed with SOC 4700
Offered: as needed
Contact
Carla Fagan, Ph.D.
