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Guide to College Majors in Gerontology

What is Gerontology?

Gerontology is the physical, mental, and sociological study of aging. It includes the study of changes in adults as they age, the ways that society changes with an aging population, and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults. A degree in gerontology prepares the student for careers working with older adults or as advocates for the elderly.

Gerontology is a diverse field with many career opportunities. These opportunities exist in human services, government agencies, retirement communities, nursing homes, health care, and long-term institutional care. Gerontologists are social workers, nursing aids, social scientists, and health care managers. Careers for gerontologists are numerous because they include almost any profession in which an older person is cared for and assisted.

Nurses, occupational therapists, and other health care providers also benefit from degrees in gerontology. A degree in gerontology allows professionals to better understand the problems surrounding their aging patients and how to better care for them.

Communication skills are important for gerontologists because they are often responsible for recording and relaying information regarding their client or patient. They must be able to work with a diverse population of people, particularly older adults. Gerontologists have a desire to assist older adults, either directly or indirectly.

People are now living longer than ever before. This growing number of older adults creates an increased need for skilled, educated workers in gerontology.

Get your degree in Gerontology
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Career Education in Gerontology

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

College degrees in Gerontology are available at all educational levels, from undergraduate certificates to PhD programs.

Undergraduate certifications in gerontology are ideal for students seeking entry level positions working with older adults. These jobs include entry-level positions in nursing homes, in senior day care centers, or in the homes of private clients.

A high school diploma is required to enter an undergraduate certificate program. These short courses of study usually require between four and ten courses. Common courses required for an undergraduate certificate in gerontology are Introduction to Gerontology, Communication and Aging, and Psychological Aspects of Aging. An internship in gerontology is usually required.

An associate's degree in gerontology is a two-year program requiring general education courses and courses specific to gerontology. An associate's degree in gerontology prepares the student for an entry-level career in gerontology, advancement in his or her current career, or a bachelor's degree. Most programs now require their students to complete internships to earn an associate's degree in gerontology.

Students earning a bachelor's degree in gerontology are prepared for entry to mid-level positions working with older adults in a variety of settings. Bachelor's degrees in gerontology typically take four years to complete and require an internship. Courses in gerontological studies are required in addition to general education courses such as Algebra, Biology, and Sociology.

A master's degree in gerontology usually focuses on one aspect of the field, such as health care administration, administration of organizations for the aging, or family services for the aging. Courses vary as well, but courses in adult development, public policy, and economic impact on older adults are common. A bachelor's degree is required to enter a master's degree program. Master's degrees typically take between two and four years to complete.

Graduate certifications in gerontology are commonly for health and social service professionals seeking to enhance their abilities to care for and assist the elderly. A bachelor's degree is required to enter a graduate certificate program. These programs are short courses of study usually requiring five to 15 courses.

A PhD in Health Related Sciences with a concentration in gerontology can prepare the student for a career in many areas of gerontology including health care administration, gerontological research, and education. A PhD typically takes six years to complete and requires both a bachelor's and master's degree.

Universities offering online gerontology degree programs:

Kaplan University - Online Geriatric Care Management Certificate

What can you do with a College Degree in Gerontology?

Career Specializations within gerontology

A degree in gerontology is beneficial for most careers that provide interaction with and assistance to older adults, making the career possibilities in gerontology numerous. Following are some of the most common professions held by people with degrees and certifications in gerontology.

• Social and Health Services Assistants. Social and health services assistants work with clients in a variety of environments and assist them with a wide range of issues. Their duties and job titles are numerous and varied.
  
  Social and health service assistants with a degree in gerontology typically work with elderly clients. They meet with clients, assess their needs, and help determine what programs or treatments are available to them. Social and health services assistants are driven to help others. They exhibit care and compassion to those in need of assistance.
  
  In a retirement community or adult daycare center, a social or health services assistant may assist clients with obtaining government benefits such as Medicare or Social Security. In other settings, social and health services assistants may be responsible for leading group activities, teaching life skills to clients, checking that medication doses are accurate, and involving clients in recreational activities.
  
  Social and health services assistants often are hired with no bachelor's degree, but some specialized education and work experience is preferred. An undergraduate certificate or associate's degree usually would be sufficient for obtaining a job in this field. Education usually is linked to advancement. Advancement as a social or health services assistant may require a bachelor's degree in social work.
  
  
• Social Worker. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers "help people function the best way they can in their environment, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems."
  
  Most social workers specialize in one area, such as research, child services, or gerontology. A social worker with a degree in gerontology usually specializes in assisting older persons and their families. They may provide support for adult children of older parents, teach classes for caregivers of aging parents, and provide advice on housing and long term care options. In health care environments, social workers that specialize in gerontology may assist family members of Alzheimer's patients or help coordinate home health services.
  
  Social workers work in hospitals, family and government agencies, and nursing homes. They must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work with diverse populations. Social workers often assist clients dealing with stressful situations and must exhibit sensitivity.
  
  Social workers are typically required to have a Bachelor's of Social Work degree, though a major in psychology or sociology may be sufficient for an entry-level career. Graduate degrees usually are required for advancement and higher-level positions. All states require social workers to be licensed, though requirements vary between states.
  
  Careers in social work are expected to grow more quickly than average. Because of a growing older population, an increase in the need for social workers specializing in gerontology is expected. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that social workers specializing in gerontology will have the best job prospects of social workers over the next few years.
  
  
• Nursing and Home Health Aides. Nursing and home health aides are responsible for the care of people who are physically or mentally ill or injured. Nursing aides usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, or mental health facilities. Home health care aides work in their patients' homes.
  
  Nursing aides assisting with the care of older persons are called geriatric aides. They assist their clients with meals, keep patients' rooms tidy, and help with personal hygiene needs. Home health aides have similar duties to nursing aides. In addition, they may administer medications and assist with medical equipment, such as ventilators. Home health aides are usually supervised by a social worker or nurse.
  
  Nursing and home health aides often work independently, with little supervision. They must be conscientious and responsible, especially when working in patients' homes. Nursing and home health aides should enjoy working with older adults, and assisting them with routine activities.
  
  Nursing and home health aides are sometimes hired with only a high school diploma, though education and experience beyond high school are valued. Education and experience gained from completion of a degree in gerontology provide skills necessary to obtain a career in this field.
  
  Nursing and home health aides often are expected to complete a training program upon being hired. For nursing aides, this training program leads to certification and placement on the state registry of nursing aides. Home health care aides are expected to complete a training program and a federally mandated competency examination.
  
  Jobs as nursing and home health aides are expected to increase more quickly than average over the next few years. Careers for home health aides are expected to grow more rapidly than others due to patient's desire to be treated at home.
  
  
• Health Care Professionals. Health care professionals treat disabled, ill, or injured people to improve or maintain their health. Doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners are examples of health care professionals.
  
  Health care professionals are compassionate and have a strong desire to help others. Good written and oral communication skills are important for health care professionals, especially those responsible for keeping patients' records current and accurate. Health care professionals typically possess a bachelor's degree or higher in their field. A broader knowledge of the populations they work with and potential advancement in their careers often drive health care professionals to seek higher degrees. A degree in gerontology can be beneficial to these professionals by educating them on aspects of the aging population. Health care professionals with degrees in gerontology may work in nursing homes, hospitals, physician's offices or home health care situations. With education and experience, they may advance to become health services managers.
  
  
• Medical and Health Services Managers. Medical and health services managers are responsible for the planning, administering, and supervising of health care services. They are employed in a variety of medical centers including hospitals, doctor's offices, and nursing homes. Medical and health service managers may manage a department in a healthcare facility or the facility itself.
  
  In small facilities, the manager is responsible for daily operations including personnel issues, accounts payable and receivable, and admissions. In larger facilities, they create policies and procedures and ensure that they are carried out effectively. Managers of larger facilities help develop and manage budgets and evaluate employees.
  
  The diversity of medical and health service manager's duties requires that they have competencies in many areas. Skills in management and finance are as important as those in communications and interpersonal relations. Experience in the healthcare field is usually required.
  
  Medical and health services managers typically have master's degrees, but a bachelor's degree may be sufficient for positions in smaller healthcare facilities. A degree in gerontology is helpful for the medical or health services manager seeking employment as administrator of a nursing home, retirement community, home health care organization, or other facility for the aging population. Advanced degrees in health care management or public health administration increase opportunities in this field. The best candidates in this field will possess both work experience and applicable education.
  
  Medical and health services management is expected to grow faster than the average over the next few years. Particularly, home health care is expected to grow rapidly and the need for home health care managers will expand with it.
  
  
• Social Scientists. Social science is the study of human behavior, past and present, and relationships between individuals and groups. Social scientists conduct research through a variety of means including interviews, surveys, historical analysis, and experimenting on subjects in laboratories. This research provides the scientist with information about how people handle changing environments, relate to others in a group, and make decisions.
  
  A social scientist with a degree in gerontology would likely work as a sociologist, studying the behavior of older adults. Sociologists are interested in the ways that age affects older adults' ways of life and the ways that they relate to society and one another. The information obtained by this research may be used to help create public policy or create solutions to social problems.
  
  Because social scientists often are expected to write and publish research findings, written communication skills are important. Social scientists also possess excellent oral communications skills needed when gathering information from subjects for research. Social scientists are inquisitive and methodical.
  
  Entry level social scientists may possess a bachelor's degree in one of many fields, including anthropology, psychology, sociology or gerontology. Advancement as a social scientist usually requires graduate level education. Completion of a master's degree will afford the best opportunities for gaining employment in this field. A PhD is standard for positions at colleges and universities.
  
  Job growth in social science is expected to be average over the next few years. Particularly, sociologists are expected to have good opportunities in government organizations and social services agencies performing policy research.

Salary Expectations for Careers in Gerontology

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2002 social workers reported a median annual income of $33,150. Social workers employed with family services reported a median income of $29,150 while those employed in nursing care earned $33,330. In a similar field, social services employees reported a median annual income of $23, 370, with workers in state government positions earning the highest salaries.

Home health aides and nursing aides are typically paid an hourly wage. Benefits usually are offered for employees working more than 35 hours a week. Home health aides reported a median income of $8.70 per hour, while nursing aides earned $9.59 per hour. Nursing aides are often offered one week of paid vacation after they are employed with a company for more than one year. They also receive paid holidays and sick days.

Healthcare managers often are required to have more education and experience than other health care employees, which usually affords them a higher salary. In 2002, healthcare managers reported a median annual income of $61,370. Home healthcare managers reported earnings of $56,320.

In 2002, social scientists reported median annual incomes of $52,280. Earnings of social scientists often increase with education attained. Those with a bachelor's degree reported a median annual income of $23,442 while those with a PhD reported earnings of $42,976.

Certification and Licensure

People with degrees in gerontology attain careers in many fields. Each specialty has its own licensure and certification requirements. Requirements for licensure also vary from state to state and from employer to employer.

Occupations in the healthcare field typically require certification or licensure. Nursing aides are often employed by nursing homes, which require completion of a minimum of 75 hours of training and an examination. Upon completion of this program and examination, nursing aides are considered certified and entered into the state registry of nursing aides.

Home health aides are required by federal law to complete a competency exam that tests skills in 12 areas related to home health care. Aside from the examination, training supervised by a registered nurse is usually required. Training programs for home health aides vary from state to state.

Social workers are also required to be licensed or registered by the state in which they practice. State requirements vary, but most state standards emphasize ethics, communication, and cultural diversity.

Other Associations and Certification Bodies

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
• American Society on Aging (ASA)
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)
• Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
• American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

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