UMass Boston

Aging Studies Minor group of adults exercises outside.
Aging Studies Minor

Your career can improve the aging experience for all.

In a few years, people aged 65 and older are expected to outnumber young children for the first time in human history. In the US, the population of older adults is also becoming much more diverse. Because of these demographic shifts, there is a huge demand for professionals with knowledge and training in aging studies. This program introduces students to the issues and needs related to aging and an aging population. You’ll learn about many different aspects of aging and how population aging presents unprecedented challenges – and opportunities – in just about every field.

The Aging Studies Minor at UMass Boston is a great opportunity if you’re looking to go into healthcare, education, research, public policy, or many other fields. The number of gerontology-related job postings has increased by 75% since 2005, according to research by Indeed.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Required Courses (12 credits)

Complete any four of the online courses below to earn a minor in Aging Studies.

  • GERON 150 - Introduction to Aging and the Life 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 160 - International Perspectives on Population Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 170 - Sexuality and Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 180 - Diversity and Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 190 - Death and Dying 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 240 - Policy and Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 250 - Mental Health and Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 260 - Health and Physical Aspects of Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 325 - Applied Research in Aging 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 342L - Aging and Society 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 350 - Families in Later Life 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 355 - Service Delivery Issues for Aging Populations 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 401 - Field Placement I 3 Credit(s)
  • GERON 441 - Global Aging Field Placement II 1-4 Credit(s)*
    *in-person placement required

All lecture courses include weekly or bi-weekly online class meetings. These provide students with the opportunity to interact directly with classmates and the instructor for lectures, questions and general discussions. Students are required to participate in these live sessions.

Completion Requirements

Complete twelve credits from any four online GERON courses.

Contact

Gerontology Department
Wheatley Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 143
617.287.7338
Gerontology@umb.edu

elderly Black couple  consulting with a female Black gerontology worker

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