Gerontology

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Gerontology Program
335 Trafton Center N
Phone: 507-389-1563
Website: Gerontology Program/Center on Aging

Other Faculty: Michael Bentley (Biological Sciences); Mary Bliesmer (Nursing); Marilyn Frank (Social Work); Rosemary Krawcyzk (Psychology); Norma Krumwiede (Nursing); Shirley Murray (College of Allied Health and Nursing); Bikash Nandy (Health Science); Leah Rogne (Sociology); Regina Smith (Nursing); Mary Frances Visser (Human Performance); Bob Widner (Psychology); Jim Wise (Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services); Diane Witt (Nursing)

The field of Gerontology focuses upon the scientific study of the biological, psychological and social aspects of human aging and the application of this knowledge in the service of older adults. The Gerontology Program coordinates the delivery of the gerontology curriculum and conducts programs including the undergraduate Minor in Gerontology, the Master of Science in Gerontology, the Graduate Certificate of Study in Gerontology, and an approved course of study for nursing home administration licensure. The Gerontology Program also cooperates with the MSU Center on Aging and the Minnesota Area Geriatric Education Center South on continuing education, research and resource development. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. All programs require registration with the Gerontology Program director.

Gerontology Minor

Required Total: 18 credits

* Appropriate substitutions for required core or elective courses can be negotiated with the Director of the Gerontology Program.

1. All Gerontology minors must take GERO 200 Aging: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (3)
2. Minors must also take 3 out of the following 4 core categories (9 core credits):
   • SOC 404 Sociology of Aging (3)
   • PSYC 466 Psychology of Aging (3)
   • HLTH 455 Health and Aging (3) or
   • BIOL 417 Biology of Aging and Chronic Diseases
   • POL 464 Aging Policy (3)
3. Minors must also complete at least 6 credits of electives, to be chosen from among the list of aging-related, elective courses already approved by the Gerontology Program. Any core course that a student does not count as part of his/her 3 core categories may also be taken and counted as an acceptable elective. A 3-credit aging-related internship can be done as an elective as well. Additionally, students who complete an internship for their major with an older population can use that internship to satisfy both the requirement for their major and for 3 elective credits in the Gerontology minor.

Approved Electives for Minor:

To be selected from Gerontology Courses–specific courses offered by particular department and/or courses offered by the Gerontology Program.

Elective courses include:

• GERO 480 Nursing Home Administration (3)
• GERO 485 Topics in Gerontology (1-3)
• GERO 499 Individual Study in Gerontology (1-4)
• ANTH 436 Anthropology of Aging (3)
• FCS 474 Resource Management for Families and Special Needs People (4)
• HLTH 441 Death Education (3)
• RPLS 482 Leisure Needs of the Aging (3)
• SOC 405 Sociology of Death (3)
• SOWK 419 Social Work and Aging (3)
• WOST 445 Women and Aging (3)

Policies/Information

All Gerontology students must register with the Gerontology Program director at the beginning of their program.

GPA Policy. Gerontology minors are urged to maintain a 3.0 or better GPA to maximize their options for professional employment and graduate study.

P/N Grading Policy. All coursework for the Minor, with the exception of the internship and the practicum, must be taken for a letter grade.

Nursing Home Administration Licensure. This is an approved program of specific coursework and practicum that fulfills educational requirements for a Minnesota nursing home administrator license. It may be pursued at either the undergraduate or graduate level either as part of degrees or in addition to them. Students seeking licensure must register with the Gerontology Program director at the beginning of their program, and must contact the Minnesota State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, 2829 University Avenue S.E., Suite 440, Minneapolis, MN 55414-3245; telephone 612-617-2117. Website: Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators

Course Descriptions

GERO 200 (3) Aging: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Introduction to human aging. Overview of social, psychological, and physical changes and social policy considerations.
F, S GE-7 CD-Core

GERO 480 (3) Nursing Home Administration
Issues and trends, programs and services, funding mechanisms and regulations. Meets state educational requirements for specific content areas.
S

GERO 485 (1-3) Topics in Gerontology
Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic is different.

GERO 491 (1-6) In-Service

GERO 497 (1-6) Internship
Pre: Consent F, S

GERO 498 (1-6) Practicum: Nursing Home Administration
For students following plan of study for nursing home administration licensure only.
Pre: by application and Consent only F, S

GERO 499 (1-4) Individual Study in Gerontology