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Department of Gerontology
Department of Gerontology

Big Picture

Gerontology Minor Gains Favor

Gerontology focus benefits students through concentration on aging

It’s a field that goes remarkably unseen, despite being about those who have seen so much. Gerontology, the study of aging and the elderly, is a minor and certificate program for undergraduates at the University of Nebraska, and a major program for graduate students. Although gerontology is not yet its own major at the undergraduate level, the certificate and minor can be paired with anything from medical fields to management. The gerontology doctorate runs through the College of Education and Human Sciences.

“Let’s say you’re in nursing, and, you know, you want to work with the elderly at some point – you would benefit from entering the gerontology program,” said Julie Masters, the chairwoman of gerontology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The minor requires six courses in gerontology – three required courses and three electives. The certificate requires five courses and a practicum. Read the entire article.

department of gerontology.

Education for the 21st century. The Department of Gerontology provides students with an opportunity to learn of the issues and opportunities facing an aging population at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A Certificate in Gerontology at either the undergraduate or graduate level is available for students wanting to round out an existing major through course work and practical experience working with elders.  Students may also pursue a Minor in Gerontology  by focusing solely on coursework in the classroom.  In addition, the department offers a Master of Arts in Social Gerontology through the UNO campus.  And, in conjunction with UNL's College of Education and Human Sciences a Specialization in gerontology at the doctoral level.

Key Components

  • Value of Gerontological Knowledge - Students pursuing a course of study in aging do so to complement an existing major such as nursing, family science, business, social work, public administration, and architecture.  Those selecting gerontology courses find the value in learning more about the aging experience as they develop skills to work with an ever increasing aging population.
  • Real Life Experience - For students pursuing a certificate in gerontology, practicums are arranged that afford students with real life experiences in working with agencies serving older adults and their families.  Several of our courses also offer a service learning component for those wanting more experience with this important and growing segment of the population.
  • Long-Standing History - Established in 1973 to address the needs of an aging population, the department of gerontology, through the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is the primary provider of gerontological education at the undergraduate and graduate level on both the Omaha and Lincoln campuses.

Facilities

The department of gerontology is housed in 310 Nebraska Hall at UNL and in the newly renovated CPACS building at UNO. Courses are taught in various locations on the Omaha and Lincoln campuses. Students are also able to take select on-line courses.  Practicums are arranged in consultation with the academic advisor, at aging organizations throughout Nebraska and in some cases, across the U.S.

Contact Us

Department of Gerontology
CPACS Building Room 210
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68182
phone (Omaha): 402-554-2272
fax (Omaha): 402-554-2317

901 North 17 Street, 310 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0562

Dr. Julie Masters, Department Chair
phone (Omaha): 402-554-3953
phone (Lincoln): 402-472-0754
email: jmasters@unomaha.edu

Last updated 1/28/2010 by Melanie Kiper, webmaster