Gerontology Degrees

Detailed profiles of schools for Gerontology from the EdRef college search portal.

Gerontology programs are designed to prepare students to design and implement programs that are based on meeting human needs. Both the psychological as well as the physical aspects of growing old are examined, as are the available programs, services, and policies available to older adults. Students learn about the processes of aging and the history of the field of gerontology. They learn how to analyze the impact of race, gender, and social class systems on aging. They study public policies that address the issues surrounding aging and analyze their effectiveness. They also learn how to communicate concepts related to gerontology to the general public through verbal and written formats.

Gerontology studies have grown in importance in recent decades in the United States as the country’s population of older adults has grown rapidly. The impact of this trend on our society is myriad and multifaceted. Graduates of gerontology programs have the opportunity to help ensure that effective services are available to assist this population with the process of growing older. They are also becoming more and more in demand as the need for qualified professionals in this field continues to grow.