Ger*on*tol*o*gy (n): The scientific study of aging and the elderly.
Aging and Gerontology
As director of the Gerontology Program at Appalachian State University, I'd like to invite you to join us in an evolving and growing program.
Gerontology is the study of aging and the elderly. Why should you consider undergraduate and graduate study and careers that include Gerontology? Let me give you a few reasons:
- The population is aging rapidly.
America’s largest generation ever – the Baby Boomers – began turning 65 in 2011, and will continue to do so through 2029, at the rate of 10,000 per day! And most needs of older people cannot be met by robots or computers. Think of the opportunities. Acquiring knowledge and skills in Gerontology will position you well for the growing number of careers working with or for the elderly.
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- Families are changing in important ways.
As life expectancy increases and fertility remains low, families will be composed of more generations and fewer adult children (and grandchildren) to help provide eldercare. Acquiring knowledge and skills in Gerontology prepares you to anticipate, participate and assist in resolving issues of aging in your own family, and in families you might work with. - An aging population means more goods and services targeted at older consumers.
Acquiring knowledge and skills in Gerontology makes you a more valuable employee, and thus more marketable. From healthcare to business to tourism and hospitality management to city and county government to social work to counseling to automotive design to advertising and marketing, nearly every career area will want employees who can refocus products and services for an older consumer market.
Acquiring knowledge and skills in Gerontology empowers you in dealing realistically, pragmatically and effectively with your own aging and the aging of those close to you, and with the older persons and their families you may encounter in your work.
We offer an undergraduate minor in Gerontology, an undergraduate major concentration in Gerontology for Sociology majors, and a completely online 1-year Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. All courses are taught by Appalachian State University faculty with years of gerontology teaching and research experience.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Ed Rosenberg
Read more about the program.
Fall 2015 Graduate Certificate
Resources
- Online Graduate Certificate
- Undergraduate Minor
- Gerontology Concentration for Sociology Majors
- Financial Aid
- Graduate School
Notice
Due to State Authorization, the Graduate School can no longer accept applications for online programs from prospective students from Alabama, Maryland, or Massachusetts.
Contact
Ed Rosenberg
Director of Gerontology
Appalachian State University
828-262-6146
rosenberge@appstate.edu