Mission
Gerontology is an applied interdisciplinary program that fosters study of the aging process along the life continuum, particularly the years after 65, focusing on individuals, families, and communities. It is designed to promote an understanding of gerontological issues within scientific biological, psychological, socio-cultural, life long learning, and political contexts. The Gerontology Program’s mission is to prepare graduates to assume roles in diverse settings serving the older adult community throughout the region, state, and nation, and to develop a clearly humanistic, ethical, responsible, and professional approach to the conduct of these roles. Students may expect the Program’s interdisciplinary course work to provide the following:
- an interdisciplinary foundational knowledge base from the social, natural, and behavioral sciences that will prepare students for practice or graduate school
- opportunities for exploring gerontology theory and practice
- opportunities for functioning in various roles as advocates for aging individuals, caregivers and the older population
- opportunities for exploring issues related to social policy, ethics, and aging adults
- opportunities for functioning in an interdisciplinary role with other discipline-based practitioners
- an appreciation of life-long learning and development for people of all ages
- opportunities for developing competency in information literacy.
