BA in Gerontology
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Quinnipiac is one of the few universities to offer an undergraduate major that anticipates one of the growing concerns in our society: the rise in the number of older Americans.
Because the effects of an aging population are so far-reaching, the program is based on interdisciplinary studies, including courses from sociology, psychology, biology, health administration and law.
Gerontology majors also complete two semester-long internships in public or private agencies involved directly with the elderly, such as senior centers, retirement complexes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, community aging services, case management agencies and nursing homes.
Students are prepared to continue their education or assume careers in aging-related areas such as social work, law, public health, medicine, health administration and public policy.
Curriculum + Requirements
The gerontology program prepares students for careers and/or graduate education in the field of aging. An interdisciplinary curriculum of required courses in sociology, psychology and biology prepares the student for direct service or administration in programs serving the elderly.
Major Requirements (39 credits):
1. Required Courses for the major in gerontology
| Course | Title | Credits |
| SO 101 | Introductory Sociology* | 3 |
| PS 101 | Introductory Psychology* | 3 |
| GT 205 | Orientation to Gerontology | 1 |
| GT 263 | Sociology of Aging | 3 |
| GT 365 | Aging: Problems & Policies | 3 |
| PS 234 | Adult Development | 3 |
| BMS 200 | Biology of Aging* | 3 |
| GT 381 | Evaluation Research | 3 |
| GT 385 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
2. Two internships in the community
GT 292 Internship in Gerontology (3 credits)
GT 392 Advanced Internship (3 credits)
3. Two courses from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
| SO 241 | Race and Ethnicity* | 3 |
| SO 255 | Sociology of the Family* | 3 |
| SO 264 | Social Welfare | 3 |
| SO 266 | Population and Society* | 3 |
| SO 280 | Illness and Disability* | 3 |
| SO 305 | Death, Grief and Bereavement | 3 |
| SO 312 | Social Organizations and Behavior | 3 |
| SO 244 | Social Stratification* | 3 |
| PL 220 | Ethics and Human Values* | 3 |
| PL 234 | Philosophies of Health* | 3 |
| PL 268 | Life & Life After Death | 3 |
| PS 325 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| Any health administration course | 3 |
*These courses also satisfy University Curriculum requirements.
4. Three courses from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
| GT 300 | Special Topics | 3 |
| GT 305 | Death, Grief and Bereavement | 3 |
| GT 310 | Elder Law | 3 |
| GT 311 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| GT 315 | Case Management | 3 |
| GT 318 | Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| GT 325 | Counseling Older Clients | 3 |
| GT 270 | Program Planning | 3 |
Minor in Gerontology
For the minor in gerontology, students should work with the program director to select 18 credits of course work in gerontology. A student majoring in criminal justice, sociology or social services cannot minor in gerontology.