Gerontology Minor

Dr. Shanza Isom, Minor Adviser

Phone: (540) 568-5271
Email: isomsa@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/socwork/gerontology.html

The cross disciplinary minor in gerontology is designed for undergraduate students from any major seeking a focal area of study on issues and dynamics of human aging for personal understanding or career preparation. The minor program requires 18 credit hours, nine credits of required courses and nine credits of approved electives, with no more than six credit hours in the student’s major.

Required Courses

GERN 280. Social Gerontology 3.00
or
SOCI 280. Social Gerontology 3.00 (Health Services Administration majors may substitute HSA 290. Gerontology for Health Services Administration )
GERN 305. Programs and Services for the Elderly 3.00 ¹
GERN 495. Field Experience/Seminar in Gerontology (1, 6) 3.00 ¹

Elective Courses (Choose 9 credit hours from the following approved courses):

GERN 375. Grant Writing for Agencies 3.00
or
FAM 375. Grant Writing for Agencies 3.00
or
SOWK 375. Grant Writing for Agencies 3.00
GERN 450. Palliative and Hospice Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach 3.00
GERN 487. Special Topics in Gerontology 3.00
GERN 490. Special Studies in Gerontology 1.00 - 3.00
HTH 378. The Use & Effects of Drugs 3.00 ¹
HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology 3.00
IPE 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach 1.00
or
NSG 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach 1.00
NSG 310. Helping Persons in Pain 2.00
NSG 313. Issues and Applications of Family Caregiving 1.00 - 2.00
NSG 322. Integrative Health Care 2.00
NSG 328. Life, Death, and the In-Between 1.00
NSG 391. Living Successfully with Chronic Illness 3.00
PSYC 304. Death & Dying: Thanatology 3.00 ¹
BIO 301. Introductory Neuroscience 3.00 ¹
Major elective (a course supporting the student’s major or related field of study with 50% of the course content in gerontology) 3 Credit Hours

Total: 18 Credit Hours

Footnote

¹ Course has one or more prerequisites.