GERO Graduate Course Descriptions

Credit Hours: 3
Term Offered: Fall                    
Duration: 8 weeks / 1st half of the semester

The GERO 501 course provides the student with an introduction and overview of the multi-disciplinary field of gerontology including terminology, theoretical perspectives, research and demography, public policy, ageism, history of the study of aging, cross-cultural study of aging, end-of-life issues, spirituality, career exploration and professional ethics. Course investigations and projects will require students to explore personal value systems and perceptions of aging.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Fall                    
Duration: 8 weeks / 2nd half of the semester

The GERO 505 course will study the effects of aging on body systems and the influence of such changes on health and function. It will include opportunities for designing strategies that facilitate healthy aging. Learning experiences will be connected to real-world situations and are designed to facilitate reflection, critical thinking, and application of principles learned.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Summer                          
Duration: 8 weeks / 1st half of the semester

The GERO 510 course will examine aging from both macro and micro perspectives to explore how the aging individual is affected by social and cultural forces, and in turn, how the aging population affects the greater society. Students will draw upon sociological perspectives to increase our understanding of applied and theoretical issues in aging, examine the social aspects of aging through roles and relationships, and explore aging as it is related to social institutions and the concept of "community."

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Winter                              
Duration:  8 weeks / 2nd half of the semester

The GERO 520 course examines psychological aging in terms of change processes. Psychological theories of aging will be covered as well as the content areas of cognition, personality, and mental health. Students will examine normal and pathological psychological development in these domains, and some of the factors that may influence variations in aging trajectories, including interventions. Several issues in the psychology of aging will be addressed such as suicide and recognizing the difference between dementia, delirium, and depression.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 525 course is designed for current and future advocates and practitioners to develop necessary knowledge and skills in order to assist older adults who have experienced abuse. Course learning activities include case studies and discussions to determine the dynamics involved in abuse and how to address them with effective measures of prevention and intervention.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 530 course will examine dementia and dementia syndromes including Alzheimer’s disease. The primary course objective is to develop an understanding of the complexity (and diversity) of behaviors, cognitive and psychiatric, that define dementia.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies                
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 535 course will engage students in exploring the complex issues of end of life care from the perspectives of both the individual person at end of life and the social systems that influence end of life care.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Winter                              
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 541 course examines the concept of "aging in place", strategies that provide options for living in a community environment, policy trends & emerging issues affecting aging in place. (Required for Aging in Place concentration track)

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies               
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 556 course will provide an overview of philosophical understandings of old age, general notions about ethics & specific case-based analysis of everyday and urgent ethical issues.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies                       
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 560 course will focus on the economic issues created by demographic trends, examine the potential impact on individuals, families, and the private & the public sectors.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies     
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 579 course explores the labyrinth of long term care for the aging population across the spectrum from home- and community-based service options to residential living facilities. Students will examine how decision-making for later life transitions is influenced by social, environmental, financial and legal factors as well as the physical and psychological aspects of aging. The student will identify the barriers and opportunities for older adults and their care partners within long term care that affect functionality and ability to thrive. Students will determine contributions they can make to enhance quality of life for the older adults in their personal and professional life who require support.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies                
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 581 course explores the unique role of spirituality in the process of aging and in the development of services to, with, and by older persons.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies                    
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 583 course examines aging from the perspective of women in contemporary society, including the analysis of issues related to health, psychology, economics, and public policy. Exploration of course concepts will utilize theoretical orientations including the life course perspective and feminist theory. Students will explore current social issues, analyze their determinants, and discuss ways in which to affect change within the field of gerontology.

Credit Hours: 1.5                      
Term Offered: Varies                         
Duration: 8 weeks

The GERO 584 course provides instruction regarding nutrition needs of individuals as they age with an emphasis on disease prevention and the central role of nutrition in maintaining health.

Credit Hours: 1.5-3.0
Term Offered: All                      
Duration: 16 weeks

This course is required for students with no experience with the aging population or is an optional elective for students with experience with the aging population.

This course is taken by permission of the Program Director.

The GERO 590 Practicum is required for students that have not had previous experience working or volunteering with the older adult population. Students choose a work site in a setting with older adults and work in collaboration with a mentor or site coordinator who is considered to be an expert in the activity undertaken.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Fall & Winter                  
Duration: 16 weeks

Prerequisites: A minimum of 30 completed credit hours including all core/required courses

The Capstone Seminar reflects the student’s cumulative experience and skills gained throughout their graduate academic work within the Aging Studies Program. The student will demonstrate the ability to synthesize and think critically about gerontological knowledge gleaned through academic and practical experience, reflect on the interdisciplinary nature and theoretical perspectives of gerontology, and deliver a professional presentation to faculty, peers, and community professionals. The student will also demonstrate the ability to extend knowledge and skills to personal and professional goals.

Credit Hours: 1.5-3.0                  
Term Offered: All                      
Duration: 14 or 16 weeks

NOTE: Extra fees apply for this course

The GERO 599 independent study option provides a means for students to pursue academic interests beyond the scope of course work in the program. A proposal must be submitted to the Program Director outlining the specifics of the project.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Fall                    
Duration: 8 weeks / 2nd half of the semester

The processes involved in andragogy, the teaching or information sharing for adults, is considerably different than the processes involved in pedagogy, the teaching or information sharing for children. The reasons for learning, the concepts and principles of adult learning, and the processes for adult learning have a significant impact on effective teaching and leadership.

NOTE: This course is only for students who matriculated in the Fall 2025 cohort or later.
Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Winter                              
Duration: 8 weeks / 1st half of the semester

This course provides an in-depth exploration of teaching and learning theories, learning styles, and their application to designing, implementing, and evaluating educational experiences. Emphasizing best practices in both face-to-face and online course design, students will develop the skills necessary to create courses aligned with clear, measurable learning objectives. Participants will engage in the development and application of instructional methodologies that foster active learner engagement in diverse educational settings. Topics include instructional strategies, innovative methodologies, multimedia tools, educational apps and programs, and effective assessment of student learning. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate the ability to design transformative learning experiences for students, colleagues, and the broader community.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Fall                    
Duration: 16 weeks

This course will introduce students to the principles of program development and evaluation and its applications in a health context. Students will collect needs assessment data, determine strengths and weaknesses of various programs and services, create a program development and evaluation plan on health-related topic and make recommendations regarding program development and improvement.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Fall                    
Duration: 8 weeks

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Winter                              
Duration: 8 weeks

This course applies principles of quality improvement processes across stages of planning, development, implementation/execution, monitoring, and evaluation to the long term care and community-based environment. Students will learn how to develop, track, and report on quality improvement processes consistent with regulatory requirements within the long term care or community-based care setting.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Term Offered: Summer                          
Duration: 8 weeks

This course provides an overview of the federal regulations that apply to health facilities and agencies, including LTC, Residential Care, and Home and Community Based Services. The course focuses on reviewing regulations and competence to write policies and procedures to maintain compliance. Students will develop skills to manage the survey and inspection processes, including the maintenance of staff training, quality monitoring, and quality improvement systems.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Winter                      
Duration: Full semester

This course provides students with an understanding of the core components of a health system, management and administration of health systems, and where public health fits within the system. Topics include health system infrastructure, health system management and administration, health policy overview, role of health and other policies in health disparities, related reforms of policy, international comparisons of health systems and policies, and population health indicators. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing the reciprocal relationships between public health practitioners, the health policies, and systems within which they practice, and related health disparities.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Fall                            
Duration: 16 weeks

This course facilitates exploration and understanding of the multitude of social and behavioral sciences that contribute to public health including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, communication, and geography. Social, historical, political, cultural and behavioral factors will be critically analyzed to understand how they interact together to serve as determinants of health and health disparities. Emphasis will be placed on applying ecological approaches to population health problems and utilizing social and behavioral science applications as tools for promoting change and designing solutions to improve population health.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Winter                      
Duration: 16 weeks

This course is designed for students planning careers involving analysis and formulation of, and advocacy for policies that impact population health. Policies across multiple settings including organizational, corporate, local, state and global public policies will be analyzed within the context of various ethical frameworks. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive analyses resulting in recognition of policy as a major tool of public health and recommendations for action and advocacy to impact population health policies.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Winter      
Duration: 16 weeks

This course focuses on current nutritional challenges affecting health in underserved populations globally including developed and developing countries. Students will gain an understanding of the epidemiology of malnutrition globally ranging from obesity and over-nutrition to hunger and other forms of under-nutrition. The impact of various nutrient inadequacies at different stages of the life cycle and their functional outcomes in terms of morbidity, psychological well-being, reproduction, and growth will be highlighted. The role of world food production, food availability, and supply in relation to nutrition and health will be discussed in the context of socioeconomic development and current political/economic contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the role of public health practitioners in designing and delivering comprehensive nutrition programs and policies in a variety of settings.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Fall            
Duration: 16 weeks

This course is designed for students who intend to practice public health in the United States. Health disparities are approached utilizing the World Health Organization definition as differences in the overall rates of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality or survival rates that are avoidable and unjust. A comprehensive view is taken with examination of differential health outcomes in the multiple areas where health disparities exist in the United States context: across race/ethnic groups, geographic residence, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation status. A health equity perspective is utilized to understand multifactorial, root determinants of health disparities such as cultural factors, socioeconomic factors, racism/discrimination, and political factors. Emphasis is placed on practical skills and strategies for public health practitioners to infuse across multiple programs and policies to reduce health disparities in the US.

Credit Hours: 3                          
Semester Offered: Winter                      
Duration: 16 weeks

This course is designed for students who intend to practice public health in the United States. Health disparities are approached utilizing the World Health Organization definition as differences in the overall rates of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality or survival rates that are avoidable and unjust. A comprehensive view is taken with examination of differential health outcomes in the multiple areas where health disparities exist in the United States context: across race/ethnic groups, geographic residence, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation status. A health equity perspective is utilized to understand multifactorial, root determinants of health disparities such as cultural factors, socioeconomic factors, racism/discrimination, and political factors. Emphasis is placed on practical skills and strategies for public health practitioners to infuse across multiple programs and policies to reduce health disparities in the US.