The study and professional care of older adults in our society is an ongoing and challenging need. Families are society's biggest and most enduring resource. Gerontology studies provide students with skills to assist older adults in healthy aging and family support.

The Program

Our program provides a broad based education in family issues, life span development, social policy and evaluation, critical thinking skills, and research in order to enhance services to older adults within our society. The Gerontology Option is offered within the Human Development and Family Sciences undergraduate degree offered by the OSU-Cascades Campus. Coursework includes baccalaureate core courses and introductory lower division courses in Social Sciences offered through Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and advanced theory and application courses at the upper division level through OSU-Cascades Campus. The program also includes 15 credits (lower & upper division) of agency practicum in serving older adults and families.

The Future

Career opportunities in gerontology are extremely diverse and include positions in community services, health sciences, nutrition and dietetics, housing, health and physical education, pharmacy, counseling, health care administration, business, public policy, and many other arenas. A theoretical knowledge of the issues of aging and study of the current research provides students with the ability to synthesize practice and scholarly knowledge to improve outcomes of service.

Degree Requirements

OSU Baccalaureate Core (48 credits)

HDFS Core

Psychology (PSY 235) and (PSY 236 or HDFS 314)
Human Sexuality (HHP 231 or HDFS 240)
Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS 313, 341)

Helping Skills (HD 162)
Speech (SP 218 or COMM 318 or SP 218)
Writing (WR 227 or WR 327)
Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS 360, 460, 461, 462)

Practicum (HD 291, 6 credits)
15 credits in select Gerontology Courses
Sociology (SOC 432)
Practicum (HDFS 410, 9 credits)

Math (MTH 243) and (MTH 244 or ST 201)
Nutrition (FN 225 or NFM 225)
Psychology (PSY 201, 202)
Sociology (SOC 201 or SOC 204)

Practicum

In addition to Gerontology courses, gerontology field study/practicum opportunities are required. Students should think about practicum plans as soon as possible in their programs of study. Six lower-division credits and nine upper-division credits are required.

OSU Student Gerontology Association (SGA)

The SGA formulates a meeting schedule during the fall quarter. Students from all academic disciplines with an interest in gerontology are invited to join. The purpose of the SGA is to provide members with opportunities for professional development within the interdisciplinary field of gerontology through social activities, networking, community service projects, and educational programs.

For more information contact:

(541) 322-3100 or email cascadesadmit@osucascades.edu