2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Minor in Gerontology

The minor in Gerontology is designed to help undergraduate students cultivate an understanding of the many facets of the aging process, including the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging.

As the global population of older adults increases, this minor program of study helps prepare students to work with both geriatric clients, family members, caregivers, and community stakeholders across multiple disciplines. Being cognizant that gerontology applies to a wide scope of disciplines, a broad selection of electives is offered from multiple programs. 

Because concepts related to aging and the care of older adults applies to multiple major programs of study, this minor would be useful for a variety of majors at Ball State University. 

This minor provides a strong grounding in both the theory and practice of serving the elderly. Among other outcomes, you will learn: (1) theories of aging, (2) multidimensional perspective on changes in well-being and health, (3) strategies for coping with change, and (4) how people age in communities. 

The minor requires 15 hours of coursework: six (6) hours from core gerontology courses and nine (9) hours of electives in subjects related to gerontology.

15 credits

6 credits from core courses

GERO 430Aging Well: Adaptations in Later Life

3

GERO 435Aging in Communities

3

9 credits of electives from approved courses

ECYF 250Family Relations

3

GERO 440Women and Aging

3

HSC 371Death and Dying

3

PMGT 315Senior Housing: Design, Marketing, and Management

3

SOC 341Sociology of Health and Illness

3

SOC 431Aging and the Life Course

3

COH 100Introduction to Health Consumerism

3

ECYF 484Family Stressors and Crisis

3

EDPS 270Human Development Across the Lifespan

3

HSC 367Drug Dependency and Abuse

3

PSYS 363Cognitive Psychology

3

SOCW 250Human Behavior and the Social Environment 1

3

SOCW 370Selected Aspects of Social Work Practice

3-12

WELN 325Community Collaboration and Service Learning in Wellness Management

3

NUTR 275Personal Nutrition

3

Total Credit Hours: 15