Gerontology Minor

Students in the Gerontology Minor program will study issues of aging from an interdisciplinary perspective and come to understand the interplay between them, including the health and medical as well as social and psychological needs of older persons. Although this interdisciplinary minor is housed in the School of Social Work, students in other majors may complete the minor in consultation with both the Chair of the Gerontology Minor and the students’ academic advisors in their respective departments. Students must consult with their major advisor to select electives, practicum or volunteer experiences, and to integrate courses that will meet the requirements of the minor.

Minor - Gerontology (Minor)

College of Health Prof Biomed

Catalog Year: 2014-2015

Degree Specific Credits: 21

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Lower Core Course

Rule: Must complete the following:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSYX 233 - Fund of Psychology of Aging
Offered intermittently. An overview of theories and research findings in the psychology of adulthood and aging.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Upper Core Courses

Rule: Must complete all of the following:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHHS 325 - Introduction to Gerontology
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. An interdisciplinary discussion of the health and social issues of older persons, utilizing didactic presentations, clinical demonstrations, and curricular modules.
 3 Credits
Show Description AHHS 430 - Health Aspects of Aging
Offered spring. Same as HHP and HS 430. Overview of the health aspects of aging in the United States including biological theories of aging, normal physiological changes associated with aging systems, common pathological problems associated with aging, cultural and ethnic differences in the health of elders, health promotion and healthy aging, and the health care continuum of care for older persons.
 3 Credits
Show Description S W 455 - Social Gerontology
Offered autumn. Examination of the field of social gerontology, including an examination of the major bio/psycho/social/cultural/spiritual theories of aging, the service system, social and health issues, family and care giving dynamics, social policy, and end of life concerns.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 9 Total Credits Required

Gerontology Electives

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses

Note: A student must take a minimum of 3 elective credits with at least 25% of the content focused on gerontology. Students may petition for approval of another elective course.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHHS 201 - Living Well, Health & Disablil
Offered autumn and spring. The development and implementation of exercise programs for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic illness.
 2 Credits
Show Description AHHS 327 - MGS Meeting
(R-3) Offered spring. Attendance and participation in the Montana Gerontology Society meeting held annually in April.
 1 Credits
Show Description AHHS 420 - Geriatric Health Issues
Prereq., Anatomy & physiology. A review of normal aspects of aging, common health problems associated with aging, and common pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of these problems in older persons.
 3 Credits
Show Description ANTY 426 - Culture, Health and Healing
Offered autumn. Cross-cultural comparisons of theories and concepts and health and illness. Examination of the impact of these concepts upon health practices and treatment of disease around the world.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 485 - Communication and Health
Offered yearly. Not open to PCOM. Theory and research on the health correlates of human interaction.
 3 Credits
Show Description ECNS 310 - Intro Health Economics
Offered intermittently.  Prereq., economics course. Survey of market forces that govern the production and consumption of medical care in the U.S. market; uncertainty, asymmetric information, and concentrations of market power resulting in inefficient outcomes. Topics include cost escalations, role of medical insurance, and problems of an aging population.
 3 Credits
Show Description NASX 388 - Native Amer Health & Healing
Offered alternate years. Examination of traditional and contemporary uses of medicine in Native American societies.  Issues covered will include current health conditions of American Indians, and the relationship from a cultural perspective on health, healing and medicine.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHL 321E - Philosophy & Biomedical Ethics
Offered intermittently.  Prereq., upper-division standing or consent of instr.  An examination of ethical problems raised by the practice of medicine and by recent developments in medically-related biological sciences.
 3 Credits
Show Description S W 475 - Death, Dying and Grief
Offered intermittently. Examination of death, dying and grief from an ecological perspective, focusing on the processes of dying and theories of grief. Emphasis on physical, social, psychological, spiritual, and cultural influences that surround death and grief. Consideration of cultural norms, attitudes toward death, medical, legal and ethical issues of dying. Focus on normal and complicated grief.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 332 - Sociology of the Family
Offered autumn. Prereq., SOCI 101S. Same as WGS 300. Historical, cross-cultural, and analytical study of the family. Emphasis on ideology, social structures, and agency affecting family composition and roles.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Integrating Courses

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses

Note: A course has been identified that will integrate the core course content with concepts within each student's major. A similar course can be identified in other majors if required. Students can also take NRSG 377 Introduction to Community Based Nursing through MSU with approval by advisor.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CSD 360 - Language Disorders
Offered spring. Prereq., CSD 210, CSD 320.  Identification, assessment, and intervention for a variety of childhood and adult language disorders. Other topics include secondary conditions, potential developmental, psychosocial and educational concerns, multicultural considerations, and family roles.
 3 Credits
Show Description KIN 483 - Exercise Disease & Aging
Offered spring. Prereq., KIN 320,321; coreq. KIN 484. Focus on guidelines for exercise testing and prescription for individuals with chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis, elderly and pulmonary disease. Class requires 25 assigned hours of service learning. Covers material necessary for ACSM clinical certification exam when combined with KIN 201, 320, 321, 460, and 484.
 3 Credits
Show Description P T 520 - Development Through Life Span
Offered spring. Presentation of developmental and physiological changes of humans as they progress through the lifespan. Includes the identification of developmental milestones and disorders as well as functional changes associated with aging.
 2 Credits
Show Description PHAR 451 - Therapeutics I
Offered autumn. Prereq., second professional year standing; coreq., PHAR 471; prereq. or coreq., PHAR (BMED) 328, 421 and 443. Pharmacotherapeutics of common disease states emphasizing pathophysiology and the selection, monitoring, and individualization of drug therapy. Applies the basic pharmaceutical sciences to patient care.
 3 Credits
Show Description S W 300 - Hum Behav & Soc Environ
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SW 100 and 200. Prereq. or coreq., PSYX 230S, junior standing in Social Work. Using the ecological-social systems framework, the integration of knowledge and concepts from the social and behavioral sciences for analysis and assessment of problems and issues relevant to professional social work practice.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 332 - Sociology of the Family
Offered autumn. Prereq., SOCI 101S. Same as WGS 300. Historical, cross-cultural, and analytical study of the family. Emphasis on ideology, social structures, and agency affecting family composition and roles.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Practicum Courses

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses

Note: Students can also take NRSG 454 Urgent and Palliative Care through MSU with approval by advisor. Students in majors that do not have access to a practicum course can enroll in HS 326 Geriatric Practicum for up to 3 credits of service learning experience compatible with the student's major and interests.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHHS 395 - Geriatric Practicum
(R-3) Offered spring. Prereq., HS 325. Service learning experience in geriatrics in a setting compatible with the student’s major and interests.
 1 To 3 Credits
Show Description KIN 498 - Internship
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq. all HHP options minimum junior standing and ECP 120/121 (or equivalent).  Prereqs per option. Exercise Science Applied: KIN 320/321.  If internship is coaching or strength & conditioning must also have completed KIN 410 and COA 405.  Exercise Science Pre-Professional: KIN 320/321.  If internship is cardiac rehab must also have completed KIN 460/483/484. Community Health: CHTH 335.  Supervised field experiences with private businesses, public agencies, or institutions.  45 hours of internship site work = 1 credit.  A maximum of 6 credits of Internship 498 may count toward graduation. Students should not be registered for more than 14 credits their internship semester.
 2 To 6 Credits
Show Description P T 588 - Clinical Internship II
Offered spring. Prereq., PT 587 and successful completion of year two DPT Autumn semester courses. Five weeks of full-time clinical experience with emphasis on patient evaluation and continuation of developing patient treatment skills. Only CR/NCR grading.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHAR 585 - Geriatric APPE
(R-8) Offered every term. Prereq., completion of didactic courses in the Pharm.D. program. Supervised professional experience with geriatric patients in the long term care and/or other pharmacy setting.
 4 Credits
Show Description PSYX 398 - Internship
(R-3) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
 1 To 3 Credits
Show Description S W 398 - Internship
(R-3) Offered autumn and spring. Application of classroom learning in off campus internship placements. Prior approval must be obtained from the School of Social Work practicum coordinator and the Center for Work-Based Learning. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 398) may count toward graduation.
 1 To 3 Credits
Show Description S W 495 - Field Work Practicum
(R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., SW 350 and 360 and approved application to practicum coordinator. Coreq., SW 488. Practicum must be taken over two consecutive semesters for a total of 10 credits. Minimum of one credit per semester. Cumulative grade average of 2.75 or above in SW 100, 200, 300, 350 and 360 and a 3.0 grade average for SW 200, 350 and 360 are required. Supervised field work in public and private agencies and institutions. Successful completion of the field work practicum requires a passing performance on the school administered professional social work competency examination.
 5 Credits
Show Description SOCI 498 - Internship
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., SOCI 101S, 318 and 202; 2.75 GPA; junior standing and consent of instr. Supervised placement in an agency or business which involves work experience related to criminology, sociology, rural and environmental change and/or inequality and social justice.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description WGSS 398 - Coop Education/Internship
R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of director. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
 1 To 6 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required