Academic Programs

Are you looking for a job in an area that is growing rapidly, that needs people with a broad range of skills, that will improve people’s lives, and that will be exciting, challenging, and rewarding?  Consider a career in the field of aging! Aging is a multidisciplinary field.  This means that the study of aging combines information from several separate areas of study.  Biology, sociology, and psychology are the “core” or basic areas, along with many other areas such as public policy, humanities, engineering, nursing, social sciences, and economics. GERONTOLOGY is the study of the aging process and individuals as they grow from middle age through later life.  It includes (a) the study of physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age; (b) the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population; and (c) the application of this knowledge to policies and programs.  Because of the multidisciplinary nature of gerontology, professionals from many fields call themselves “gerontologists”. GERIATRICS is (a) the study of health and disease in later life and (b) the comprehensive health care of older persons.

The information above comes from a booklet called “Careers in
Aging” by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
and the Gerontological Society of America. See the entire booklet
and read more about careers in aging…

UMKC offers the opportunity to study aging both the undergraduate (Minor in Gerontology) and graduate level (Certificate in Gerontology). At the undergraduate level, a gerontology minor is a practical addition to almost any major.  The minor requires 18 credit hours that cover psychological, biological, and social aspects of aging, along with a field practicum providing direct experience in an aging-related project or organization. At the graduate level, the gerontology certificate can be taken as a free-standing program, or in conjunction with a degree program.  The graduate certificate requires 18 credit hours that cover psychological, biological, and social aspects of aging, along with a field practicum providing direct experience in an aging-related project or organization.