Gerontology Major Will Be Offered Beginning This Fall

The New York State Education Department has approved bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in gerontology for Ithaca College. Students may enroll in the new programs starting this fall. The gerontology major will take an interdisciplinary approach and will include courses in each of the College’s five schools. It will be offered in the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute.

"According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans over 65 will double in the next 50 years, and at least 15 million of those will be over 85," says John Krout, institute director and professor of gerontology. "Those numbers add up to a rapidly increasing demand for professionals with expertise in gerontology, including geriatric care managers, lawyers specializing in elder law, consultants, health professionals, and sociologists. A large number of our citizenry will be in occupations that work with older adults, and we’re trying to prepare people to meet that challenge."

"Through a liberal arts foundation, interdisciplinary gerontology coursework, experiential learning, research, and a student-selected minor, the gerontology major prepares students to attain a position with an aging focus or to pursue graduate education in gerontology or a related discipline," says Pamela Mayberry, associate director and academic planning coordinator. "Students majoring in gerontology can choose from a list of approved minors to tailor a course of study that focuses on their particular interests and career goals."

The bachelor of arts in gerontology offers minors in health, health communication, nutrition promotion, health services administration, social work, and writing. The bachelor of science offers minors in health; nutrition promotion; finance; management; marketing; organizational communication, learning, and design; recreation; and outdoor recreation. Students with specific career goals that don’t quite fit into these minors may develop a planned interdisciplinary combination as an alternative.

The projected enrollment for the first year is 10 students. The goal is to have 40 students within four years. The College currently offers a gerontology minor and a nondegree certificate program, under the auspices of the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute. These programs will continue.

For more information on the Gerontology Institute or the gerontology major call 274-1965 or visit www.ithaca.edu/aging.