Gerontology
What Can I Do With A Major In Gerontology?
Gerontology is the study of the processes of aging, including the biological, psychological and sociological aspects. In conjunction with a major program of study, a student completing the Minor in Gerontology will be highly competitive for positions in a variety of fields and disciplines. The first members of the massive baby boom generation will turn 65 in 2011, and the proportion of the U.S. population that is elderly will continue to increase dramatically well into the foreseeable future. But Montana and other nearby states are aging more rapidly than almost any of the other states. According to the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, by 2025 Montana will rank fourth in the nation with regard to the proportion of the population 65 or older. The U.S. Department of Labor reports there has been and will continue to be huge growth in career opportunities in gerontology. While the need for those with a firm grounding in gerontology is most obvious in the health and social sciences, an understanding of the aged and the aging process will be useful in all disciplines. The Minor in Gerontology will enhance the education and career prospects of students in fields as diverse as the arts, business, communication studies, education, law, political science, public administration and recreation management to name a few.
A Sample of Related Occupations
Types of Employers
Private and Non-profit Organizations
Case management
Community pharmacy
Group practices /HMO
Adult day care facilities
Assisted living facilities
Churches
Colleges and universities
Hospitals
Long term care facilities
Private clinics
Skilled nursing facilities
Fitness centers
Home health agencies
Hospices
Corporate or industrial health centers
Adult protective services
Mental health clinics and facilities
Senior living facilities
Social service agencies
Insurance companies
Investment firms
Retailers
Professional associations
Senior citizen membership organizations
Government Agencies
Area Agencies on Aging
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
City/County/State Government
College/Universities
Health Departments
Public Health Organizations
Schools
Senior Centers
Veteran's Administration
Related Web Links
- Communication Studies: Stephen Yoshimura, PhD; 406-243-4951
- Communicative Sciences Disorders: Christine Merriman, MA; 406-243-2377
- Economics: Kay Unger, PhD; 406-234-4655
- Health and Human Performance: Steve Gaskill, PhD; 406-243-4268
- Montana State University College of Nursing: Linda Torma, MSN, APRN, GCNS-BC; 406-243-2599
- Pharmacy Practice, Gayle Hudgins, PharmD; 406-243-6495
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Beth Ikeda, PT, DPT, OCS; 406-243-5190
- Political Science, Jon Tompkins, PhD; 406-243-2683
- Psychology, Lynne Koester, PhD; 406-243-4003
- Public and Community Health Sciences, Craig Molgaard, PhD, MPH; 406-243-4445
- Social Work, Cindy Garthwait, MSSW; 406-243-2954
- Sociology, Dan Doyle, PhD; 406-243-5912
- Women’s and Gender Studies, Teresa Sobieszczyk, PhD; 406-243-4868
- UM Gerontology Minor
Professional Associations
State Associations:
- Adult Protective Services
- Aging Horizons,
- Alzheimer’s Association – Montana Chapter,
- Billings Clinic Elder Care Solutions,
- Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program,
- Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging,
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Project,
- Long Term Care Ombudsman,
- Missoula Fall Prevention Project,
- Montana Area Agency on Aging,
- Montana Association of the Blind,
- Montana Geriatric Education Center,
- Montana Gerontology Society,
- Montana Pain Initiative,
- Montana Prescription Drug Assistance,
- Montana State University Billings: Long-Term Care Management Certificate,
- Rocky Mountain Developmental Council,
- Senior and Long Term Care,
- St. Peter’s Hospital Behavioral Health Unit (Adult Behavior Fact Sheet and Mental Health Minute),
- Western Montana Chapter for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,
National Associations:
