Students who wish to declare a gerontology major or minor should notify the Office of Records and Registration (A-203).
Interdisciplinary Gerontology Studies Major/Degree Completion (B.S.)
The Interdisciplinary Gerontology major/degree completion studies program is designed to prepare individuals with an understanding of the foundations of gerontology, thus positioning students in various disciplines for specialized career opportunities. The diversity and complexity of older adults and their needs and preferences will be explored from multiple perspectives. Foundational courses will include studies from various disciplines and prepare students for careers that benefit from comprehensive knowledge of the older adult. Students will acquire knowledge of the impact of culture, ethnicity, financial capacity, gender, spirituality, health and wellness and quality of life on older adults. The Interdisciplinary Gerontology major requirement is 27 credit hours. Please note that the B.S. degree in Gerontology requires a total of 120 credit hours, including general education requirements.
Gerontology Major Foundational Core Required (15 Credit Hours)
- GERON 101/NURS 199/SOC 199: Introduction to Aging
- GERON 124/BIO 124: Physiology of Aging
- GERON 318/SOC 318: Sociology of Aging
- GERON 199/PSYCH 199: Lifespan Development
- GERON 395: Capstone
Note: Students are expected to meet any pre-requisites related to courses below.
Interdisciplinary Gerontology Studies (12 Credit Hours)
- GERON 216/COMM 216: Introduction to Health Communication
- GERON 224/PSYCH 224: Adulthood and Aging
- GERON 341/PSYCH 341: Health Psychology
- GERON 266/RELST 266: Suffering and Death
- GERON 203/ NURS 358: Care at End of Life/Nursing Care at End of Life
- GERON 309/CSDI 309: Neuroscience of Communication
- GERON 348/NURS 348: The 3 D's of Geriatric Psychiatry: Delirium, Dementia, and Depression
- GERON 335/SOC 335: Art and Science of Reminiscing
- GERON 390/ACCT 390: Elder Law: Justice in Aging
- GERON 205/NURS 205: Narrative Gerontology
- GERON 208/NURS 208: Aging and Culture
Note: Students may be required to submit to a background check, health requirements and urine drug screening as required for the final capstone course.
Interdisciplinary Gerontology Minor
The Interdisciplinary Gerontology/Aging Studies program offers a minor that examines the diversity and complexity of the older adult using a venue of varied disciplines and perspectives, including biology, psychology, sociology, spirituality, communication and health. Elective courses are drawn from across the University. The minor will meet the educational and experiential needs of a variety of students who have an interest in working with the older adult or for students who wish to gain knowledge about this growing segment of the population. Students who engage in a Gerontology minor will acquire a general understanding of the impact of culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and health and level of wellness and quality of life on older adults.
To fulfill the requirements of the minor, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in approved courses, including GERON 101/NURS 199 Introduction to Aging (3); plus five gerontology electives. Courses in the minor have a focus on aging, and will be drawn from across the SXU curriculum, and will include periodic special topics courses. At least one-half of the credit hours used to fulfill the minor must be completed at Saint Xavier University.
Students enrolled in the minor who wish to complete the major may apply completed minor courses to meet the criteria of the degree completion/major.
Student Learning Outcomes
The following are the student learning outcomes of the overall Interdisciplinary Gerontology major studies program, all of which are in alignment with those of the Interdisciplinary Gerontology minor.
- Acquire basic physiological, sociological and psychological scientific knowledge and gain a multi-perspectival understanding of aging both in the United States and globally.
- Acquire knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, ethnicity, financial capacity, gender, spirituality, health and level of wellness on quality of life and life satisfaction of the older adult.
- Cultivate critical awareness as well as ethical and political astuteness in multiple areas and a variety of settings that affect older adults.
- Cultivate critical inquiry and acquire knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research in the field of aging.
Students should consult with their program advisor and the coordinator of the gerontology programs, Dr. Mary Tiberg (tiberg@sxu.edu) when planning their Interdisciplinary Gerontology major or minor.
Faculty and Administration
The Gerontology Studies program is sponsored by the College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business. It is an interdisciplinary program that draws upon the expertise of faculty in many academic programs within the University. Faculty members offer perspectives and courses appropriate to the multidimensional study of older adults and contribute to the development of the program's curriculum.
The College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business reserves the right to amend policies, procedures and other program information as necessary. All changes will be communicated promptly.