GERONTOLOGY

Director and Graduate Studies Advisor: Roma Stovall Hanks (460-6347)
Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Denise McAdory (460-6347)

Gerontology is the interdisciplinary study of (1) the human life cycle, (2) the elderly and related issues, and (3) the relationships between the generations. The Gerontology program is designed to establish an expertise that will enhance and compliment the analytical skills that the student acquires as part of the major area of study. This expertise may be used as preparation to specialize within the career area related to the student's major area of study or to pursue further academic training in graduate or medical school.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A GERONTOLOGY CERTIFICATE
Students who wish to earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology must complete a set of three core courses and three electives courses. In addition, the student is required to perform an internship that will expose the student directly to the elderly. Approved courses are offered in various departments as well as in Gerontology. Students are encouraged to pursue the Gerontology Certificate in conjunction with a degree program.

CORE COURSES
(Required)
Biology of Aging (BLY 207)
Social Gerontology (SY 372)

(Select One)
Adult and Late Life (PSY 354)
Seasons of Life (AIS 201)
The Adult Years (AIS 401)

INTERNSHIP (Required)
Internship in Gerontology (GRN 496) or equivalent (for example, Sociology majors may substitute SY 496 with Director's approval.)

ELECTIVE COURSES
(Select Three)
Biology of Aging (BLY 207)
Biology of Drugs (BLY 208)
Comparative Aging (SY 490)
Death and Dying (NU 342)
Economics of Aging (ECO 492)
Ethical Considerations in the Care of the Aging (HSC 450)
Gerontology Concepts (HSC 457)
Housing for the Elderly (SY 490)
Leisure Services for the Elderly (LS 479)
Minority Health and Aging (SY 490)
Public Policy and Aging (PSC 481)
Seminar: Literature and Aging (EH 492)
Sociology of Aging and the Family (SY 472)
Special Studies in Educational Gerontology (EDF 490)
Special Topics in Adult Education (EDF 490)
Special Topics: Alzheimer's Disease (NU 490)
Special Topics: Hospice (NU 490)

Additional courses will be included as they are developed. Directed Study courses are available upon approval from the Director.

DESCRIPTIONS OF GERONTOLOGY (GRN) COURSES BEGIN ON PAGE 245.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GERONTOLOGY
The aim of this certificate program is to transmit a core of cognitive knowledge and skills in gerontology.

Requirements for admission are the same as those of the Graduate School. Students seeking to obtain Graduate Certification in Gerontology should either hold a graduate degree, or concurrently be enrolled in a graduate program.

The Graduate Certificate Program at USA requires a minimum of seven courses (28 hours) with grades of A or B, including Aging in American Society (SY 523) and an approved internship. It strongly recommends Public Policy in Aging (PSC 581) and Ethical Considerations in the Care of the Aging (HSC 550).

The gerontology internship (GRN 595) is required or an equivalent internship experience within the student's discipline. The internship must allow the student to apply skills to work with older individuals and their families. Research shows that positive, supportive attitudes toward aging are best developed through personal involvement with older people. The skill of applying knowledge to the problems of the elderly is developed in experiential learning situations. Therefore, an internship is required unless the student demonstrates substantial previous experience with the client population. In that event, a directed study or an additional academic course in aging may be substituted for the internship. A maximum of eight (8) credit hours of internship and eight (8) credit hours of directed study may be applied toward the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.

All courses and substitutions must be approved by the Director. The student must work closely with the Director and with the Advisor in the major area of specialization to develop the best program possible to meet career goals. Directed Studies and Special Topics courses may be used to fulfill program requirements if approved by the Director. A maximum of two 400-level undergraduate courses may be included in the Graduate Certificate Program. The following courses have been approved for the Graduate Certificate:

Adult Education (EDL 510)
Aging in American Society (SY 523) (required)
Aging and Health (HS 567)
Aging and the Family (SY 572)
The Adult Years (AIS 401)
Economics and Aging (ECO 490)
Educational Gerontology (EDL 573)
Ethical Considerations in the Care of the Aging (HSC 550)
Gerontological Concepts (HSC 557)
Geropsychiatric Mental Health Nursing (NU 590)
Housing for the Elderly (SY 490)
Minority Health and Aging (SY 490)
Internships (PSC 596, SY 594)
Public Policy and Aging (PSC 581)
Sociology of Aging and the Family (SY 572)
Internship in Gerontology (GRN 595) (required or equivalent)

Courses which are taken as part of a degree program may be considered for credit toward the certificate provided they are approved by the Director of the University Program in Gerontology, the Director of Graduate Studies in the College offering the degree, and the Dean of the Graduate School. For further information about the program contact Dr. Roma Stovall Hanks, Director, USA Programs in Gerontology, HUMB 34, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002; Telephone: (334)460-6347; Fax: (334)460-7925; e-mail:rhanks@usamail.usouthal.edu.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL GERONTOLOGY (GRN) COURSES BEGIN ON PAGE 245.

Interdisciplinary Programs

College of Arts and Sciences