Description
Minor or Certificate in Gerontology
Undergraduates may earn a certificate or minor in gerontology. The certificate consists of 15 hours of specified coursework plus a one-semester practicum. This option is ideal for students wanting to pursue a career in healthcare or a related field. The minor is comprised of 18 hours of coursework. Although an undergraduate major in gerontology is not offered on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus, the certificate program may be used as a minor or concentration within several degree programs earned through other university departments. Students wanting to major in gerontology should contact the University of Nebraska Omaha campus at 402-554-2272.
Courses that meet the gerontology requirement are taught by gerontology department faculty as well as related faculty in other University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska Omaha departments. Students should consult the Department of Gerontology for the appropriate selection of courses.
Undergraduate students who complete the minor or certificate in gerontology may also have the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science in gerontology (BSGE) online through the University of Nebraska Omaha while pursuing their degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Admission
Application materials for admission to the Gerontology Certificate Program can be obtained from the Department office, 310 Nebraska Hall (402-472-0754); CPACS Building 211 on the Omaha campus (402-554-2272); or at http://www.unomaha.edu/gero.
Administration of the Program
The University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Gerontology administers the certificate in gerontology program for all campuses of the University of Nebraska under an agreement approved by the Board of Regents in 1977. Students at UNL, UNO, UNK, and UNMC are thus able to earn the certificate as part of their academic work at the University of Nebraska.
Students who wish to earn the certificate must go through a formal admissions procedure; admissions materials are available at the offices named above.
Undergraduates who begin work toward the certificate late in their academic program may find it difficult to schedule the necessary coursework and practicum hours prior to graduation (this is especially true for BSN candidates in the College of Nursing). It is acceptable, and in many cases desirable, to complete the classroom portion of work toward the certificate while an undergraduate, receive the bachelors degree from one’s major department, and then complete work on the practicum during the semester after graduation as an unclassified postgraduate. Gerontology advisors maintain a degree of flexibility in order to work with students who have special needs.
College Requirements
College Admission
Students who have been admitted to the University may apply for entrance to the College of Public Affairs and Community Service during initial registration by indicating their preference in the appropriate place on the University Application for Admission form.
Students who wish to readmit or transfer into the College from another institution or another program within the University should refer to the individual school/department requirements to declare their intended major.
Admission Deficiencies
Students with high school admission deficiencies that have been admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln may enter the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. A college course may fulfill a high school deficiency and may also apply toward a degree in the College.
College Degree Requirements
Achievement-Centered Education (ACE)
All students completing their degree on the Lincoln campus must fulfill the Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) requirements. The 30-hour ACE requirement will include a minimum of 3 hours of approved coursework in each of the 10 designated Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) student learning outcome areas, which can be viewed at ace.unl.edu. Students will be provided a list of courses they can select from to meet each of the 10 ACE Student Learning Outcomes.
Foreign Languages/Language Requirement
Students in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service who have completed the University of Nebraska high school admission requirement of two years in the same language will not be required to complete additional language for their degree.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
Each candidate must present a total of at least 120 semester hours of college credit to meet graduation requirements.
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
A minimum grade of at least C- must be earned in all required courses within the major, unless a higher grade is designated by the department/school. Completion of a course within the major with a grade below a C- will not be considered as having fulfilled prerequisite requirements for additional courses taken in the major field of study. A higher grade may be designated by the department/school.
Pass/No Pass Limits
See individual school/department limitations regarding Pass/No Pass.
GPA Requirements
Each candidate for the degree must attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. A minimum grade of at least C- must be earned in all required courses within the major, unless a higher grade is designated by the department/school. All grades reported by the faculty to the registrar become a part of the student’s permanent record and are included in the computation of the grade point average, even though some of these grades may be for work done in excess of the 120 hours required for graduation.
Transfer Credit Rules
The transfer of D grades in non-major courses are accepted only from within the University of Nebraska system. Students from other institutions must present a grade of C- or above for all coursework.
Generally, hours earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University; however, the college will evaluate all hours submitted for transfer to determine applicability toward the degree. A maximum of 64 hours may be transferred from a two-year college and a maximum of 90 hours from a four-year institution.
Course Level Requirements (Hour Requirement 300+)
Individual departments/schools should be consulted for the minimum number of upper-division hours required.
Residency
Thirty (30) of the last 36 hours required for the degree must be registered for and carried within the University of Nebraska system.
Independent Study and Internship Rules
Individual schools/departments should be consulted for rules regarding independent study and internship credit applicable to majors or minors.
Catalog Rule
A student registering in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service for the first time may, except for limitations described below, complete work for the degree according to one of these requirements:
- The catalog in effect the year the student enters CPACS.
- The catalog current at the time the student applies for the degree.
Students entering the College for the first time in the summer will be subject to the catalog for the academic year immediately following.
Students formerly in a CPACS program who dropped out of the College for one year must complete requirements of the catalog current at the time of readmission.
Failure to complete the requirements for the degree within seven years after the date the student first enters the College will subject the student to graduation under the requirements of a later catalog to be approved by the Dean.
The College reserves the right to institute and make effective, after due notice and during the course of a student’s work toward a degree, any new ruling which may be necessary for the general good of the College and to substitute courses currently offered for those no longer offered.
Requirements for Minor Offered by Department
Minor in Gerontology
A minor in gerontology consists of 18 credit hours. Nine (9) hours of core courses are required with the remaining 9 hours to be selected by the student with the advice and support of the academic advisor for the department.
Core Courses Required for the Minor
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 200 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| GERO 446 / PSYC 446 | Psychology of Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 467 | Programs and Services for the Elderly | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
While not required, GERO 455 Health Aspects of Aging will be strongly encouraged for those seeking a career in health care.
Students may also select a course offered in another department that has at least 75% of its focus on the aging experience. This course can be counted toward a minor in gerontology. A practicum will not be required of students pursuing a minor.
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
The student must earn an overall average of C (2.0) in courses for the minor.
Pass/No Pass
No course may be taken Pass/No Pass.
Requirements for Certificate Offered by Department
Certificate in Gerontology
Course Work
All undergraduates who wish to earn the certificate in gerontology must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of gerontology courses, with a core of strongly recommended courses, including GERO 200 Introduction to Gerontology, GERO 446 Psychology of Adult Development and Aging, and GERO 467 Programs and Services for the Elderly. The remaining course work will be agreed upon between the student and his or her gerontology advisor in an individually-designed program of study.
Practicum
A one-semester field placement is also required. Students in most cases will earn 3 hours of academic credit for this practicum by registering for GERO 494 Practicum. It may be possible to coordinate this experience with field placement requirements in other departments (e.g., social work or child, youth and family studies), but in all cases such arrangements must have the prior approval of the gerontology departmental practicum coordinator.
Description: Introduction to social gerontology and human development in later life; emphasis on important elements of aging, such as socialization, family interaction, retirement, physical and psychological aging, and perceptions of older persons in contemporary society.
Description: Interdisciplinary survey of literature in the field of thanatology with an emphasis on working with the older patient and his or her family.
Prerequisites: Junior, Senior & Graduate students only
Description: Introduction to the field of education for and about the aging. Institutions and processes of education will be analyzed to determine their relationships and value to persons who are now old and those who are aging.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
Description: For students in gerontology and in other fields who are interested in a humanistic approach to understanding significant issues which affect the lives of older people.
Description: Role of leisure services as related to understanding and working with elders. Emphasis on recreation programming as a mode of intervention. Analysis and study of the phases of aging, with reference to psychomotor, affective, and cognitive changes; introduction to the theories of aging and how they relate to the lifestyle of this population; recreational therapy intervention, activity adaptation and program design; leisure education and issues and trends.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Mental health needs of older adults. Identifying both positive mental health and pathological conditions. Treatment interventions effective with older adults and their families.
Description: Consideration of the legal concerns which are likely to arise as people age. Includes introduction to the American legal system and emphasis on underlying legal concepts and issues of special importance to older persons.
Description: Investigation of the broad range of policy issues, theoretical concerns, and practical management strategies influencing the design, organization, and delivery of long-term care services.
Prerequisites: Junior/Senior Standing
Description: Provides an in-depth understanding of the various housing options available to older adults including aging in place to hospice. Gain a working knowledge of the needs of older adults and how this is used in making decisions about housing.
Description: Psychological, sociological, and physiological factors that influence the health of the aging, with particular emphasis given to biological changes that have implications for disease and health disorders.
Description: Familiarizes the student with the identification and symptomology, basic assessment and intervention strategies associated with disorders of communication affecting older adults and geriatric patients. Beneficial to students majoring in gerontology, or speech pathology, as an elective course, or as a professional enrichment course for persons working in these or related fields.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Historical overview of programs for the elderly, to examine the national policy process as it relates to the older American, and to review the principles and practices relative to the existing national programs for the aged.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior in gerontology or social work.
Description: Interdisciplinary course designed to provide the student with knowledge of the differing status, attitudes, and experiences of the elderly within four major minority groups and to examine various service systems and practice models in terms of their relevance and effectiveness in meeting needs of minority elderly.
Description: Marketing decisions and strategies apply to all businesses and are influenced by the target market. The economic realities and the character of America will change due to shifting demographics of baby boomers. Businesses that understand the power of the baby boomers will succeed; failure to understand that power may lead to economic consequences. Students from many disciplines will benefit from this cross-referenced course blending the realities of gerontology with the predictions of baby boomer behavior and the resulting impact to all businesses.
Description: Examination of mid-life as it applies to the concept of second careers, existing resources, and the future of second careers; and the concept and practical implications of preretirement planning.
Description: Designed to involve students in the recognition of fears, concerns, and needs of dying patients and their families by examining the hospice concept and other services available in our community. Factual information, readings, professional presentations, films, and experiential exercises are offered to aid the student in understanding that hospice is an alternative to the traditional medical model so that when the "cure" system is no longer functional, then the "care" system, hospice, can be offered.
Prerequisites: Jr or Sr standing
Description: Provides a foundation for the recognition of the need to implement palliative medical care. Using current texts and literature, video and podcast lectures by colleagues, and review of case and topics, study the definitions, purposes, and benefits of palliative medical care. Learn the avenues and ways to implement palliative care to provide care that promotes well-being.
Prerequisites: 6 hrs gerontology.
Description: Special studies designed around the interests and needs of the individual student in such areas as the psychology, sociology, economics, or politics of aging, as well as operation of various service systems. May be either a literature review project or a field project in which experience is gained in the community identifying and analyzing needs and services related to older people.
Prerequisites: 9 hrs gerontology and permission.
Description: Opportunity for students to share field experiences; to obtain guidance concerning various relationships with agency, staff, and clients; and to develop a broadly based perspective of the field of aging.
Prerequisites: Senior Honors Program.
Description: Independent research project supervised by department/school faculty.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Develops basic counseling skills for application in gerontology.
Prerequisites: Junior, Senior & Graduate students only
Description: Introduction to the field of education for and about the aging. Institutions and processes of education will be analyzed to determine their relationships and value to persons who are now old and those who are aging.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: For students in gerontology and in other fields who are interested in a humanistic approach to understanding significant issues which affect the lives of older people.
Description: Role of leisure services as related to understanding and working with elders. Emphasis on recreation programming as a mode of intervention. Analysis and study of the phases of aging, with reference to psychomotor, affective, and cognitive changes; introduction to the theories of aging and how they relate to the lifestyle of this population; recreational therapy intervention, activity adaptation and program design; leisure education and issues and trends.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Mental health needs of older adults. Identifying both positive mental health and pathological conditions. Treatment interventions effective with older adults and their families.
Description: Consideration of the legal concerns which are likely to arise as people age. Includes introduction to the American legal system and emphasis on underlying legal concepts and issues of special importance to older persons.
Description: Investigation of the broad range of policy issues, theoretical concerns, and practical management strategies influencing the design, organization, and delivery of long-term care services.
Prerequisites: Junior/Senior Standing
Description: Provides an in-depth understanding of the various housing options available to older adults including aging in place to hospice. Gain a working knowledge of the needs of older adults and how this is used in making decisions about housing.
Description: Psychological, sociological, and physiological factors that influence the health of the aging, with particular emphasis given to biological changes that have implications for disease and health disorders.
Description: Familiarizes the student with the identification and symptomology, basic assessment and intervention strategies associated with disorders of communication affecting older adults and geriatric patients. Beneficial to students majoring in gerontology, or speech pathology, as an elective course, or as a professional enrichment course for persons working in these or related fields.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Historical overview of programs for the elderly, to examine the national policy process as it relates to the older American, and to review the principles and practices relative to the existing national programs for the aged.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior in gerontology or social work.
Description: Interdisciplinary course designed to provide the student with knowledge of the differing status, attitudes, and experiences of the elderly within four major minority groups and to examine various service systems and practice models in terms of their relevance and effectiveness in meeting needs of minority elderly.
Description: Marketing decisions and strategies apply to all businesses and are influenced by the target market. The economic realities and the character of America will change due to shifting demographics of baby boomers. Businesses that understand the power of the baby boomers will succeed; failure to understand that power may lead to economic consequences. Students from many disciplines will benefit from this cross-referenced course blending the realities of gerontology with the predictions of baby boomer behavior and the resulting impact to all businesses.
Prerequisites: Graduate Student
Description: An examination of theory and research relevant to interaction with the older, terminally ill person, focusing on communication with widows and other survivors as well as the dying patient.
Description: Examination of mid-life as it applies to the concept of second careers, existing resources, and the future of second careers; and the concept and practical implications of preretirement planning.
Description: Designed to involve students in the recognition of fears, concerns, and needs of dying patients and their families by examining the hospice concept and other services available in our community. Factual information, readings, professional presentations, films, and experiential exercises are offered to aid the student in understanding that hospice is an alternative to the traditional medical model so that when the "cure" system is no longer functional, then the "care" system, hospice, can be offered.
Prerequisites: Jr or Sr standing
Description: Provides a foundation for the recognition of the need to implement palliative medical care. Using current texts and literature, video and podcast lectures by colleagues, and review of case and topics, study the definitions, purposes, and benefits of palliative medical care. Learn the avenues and ways to implement palliative care to provide care that promotes well-being.
Description: Special studies designed around the interests and needs of the individual student in such areas as the psychology, sociology, economics, or politics of aging, as well as operation of various service systems. May be either a literature review project or a field project in which experience is gained in the community identifying and analyzing needs and services related to older people.
Prerequisites: 9 hrs gerontology and permission.
Description: Opportunity for students to share field experiences; to obtain guidance concerning various relationships with agency, staff, and clients; and to develop a broadly based perspective of the field of aging.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Description: Develops basic counseling skills for application in gerontology.
Prerequisites: Permission
Description: The thesis is written under the supervision of the thesis adviser and the thesis committee. Independent research project required of all students working toward the master of arts degree.
Description: Provides an introduction to statistical methods and data management used in the social, behavioral and health sciences.
Description: Restricted to graduate students only; required of gerontology students. Social gerontology with an emphasis on the interplay between social, psychological and physical elements in later life.
Description: Intended primarily for graduate students in psychology and gerontology. Age-related changes in psychological processes and the implications of these changes for behavior.
Description: This course is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of older women. Primary focus will be directed towards an exploration of lifestyles, needs and interests of women in the later half of life. Reading and discussion of current literature will provide a basis for continued exploration through the preparation, administration and analysis of a group research project.