Department of Applied Gerontology
Main Office
Chilton Hall, 273
P.O. Box 310919
Denton, TX 76203-0919
(940) 565-2765
Fax: (940) 565-4370
Web site: www.unt.edu/aging
Academic Advising
Chilton Hall, 273C
(940) 565-3449
Richard A. Lusky, Chair
Faculty
Professors Eve, Ingman. Associate Professors Lusky, Turner. Assistant Professor Harding.
Introduction
Established in 1967, the Department of Applied Gerontology offers programs at the undergraduate
and graduate levels to prepare students for careers in the field of aging. Career opportunities for graduates
exist in retirement and long-term care facilities, government planning agencies and community service
programs, as well as business and industry.
Flexible scheduling of courses allows currently employed professionals to earn either a degree or
a certificate while maintaining their employment.
The department conducts research on various social, psychological and policy aspects of aging;
organizes continuing education programs for people employed in the field of aging; and provides
technical assistance to groups and organizations in the field.
Programs of Study
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
- Bachelor of Science,
- Master of Arts, and
- Master of Science, all with a major in applied gerontology;
- Master of Arts, and
- Master of Science, both with a major in administration of long-term care and retirement facilities; and
- Master of Arts, and
- Master of Science, both with a major in administration of aging organizations.
The Bachelor of Science degree is designed to prepare students to work with older people in a
wide variety of settings. A faculty adviser works closely with each student to develop an individualized,
career-oriented course of study.
Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science must meet the following requirements.
1. Hours for the Degree: A minimum of 128 semester hours, 42 of which must be advanced,
and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog, and the school of Community
Service requirements.
2. Major/Minor Requirements (Professional Development
Areas): Minimum of 42 hours from at least three areas, one of which must be applied gerontology; minimum of 12 hours
in each area.
Required Courses in Applied Gerontology (Professional Development Area I):
- AGER 3480, Psychology of Adult Development and Aging
- AGER 4550, Sociology of Aging
- AGER 4780, Aging Programs and Services
- AGER 4840, Studies in Aging Field Practicum
- AGER 4850, Studies in Aging Field Practicum
The Studies in Aging Field Practicum courses should be taken at or near the end of the student's
degree program. Students must complete AGER 3480, 4550 and 4780 before enrolling in AGER 4840-4850.
Recommended Courses in Applied Gerontology (Professional Development Area I):
- AGER 2250, Images of Aging in Film and Literature (may be used to satisfy the Humanities requirement)
- AGER 4020, Psychology of Death and Dying
- AGER 4500, Long-Term Care Case Management with Older Adults
- AGER 4560, Minority Aging (may be used to satisfy the Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global
Studies requirement)
- AGER 4700, Women in Later Life
Suggested fields for Professional Development Areas II and III include (but are not limited to)
behavior analysis, business administration, communication studies, health promotion, merchandising and
hospitality management, psychology, public administration, recreation, rehabilitation, social work, sociology,
and speech and hearing sciences. Transfer students with sufficient semester hours of course work in other
fields related to applied gerontology (e.g., mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy) may
use these fields as Professional Development Areas. Specific courses are chosen with the approval of
the academic adviser.
3. Occupational Specialization: 24-36 semester hours in related fields. Certain requirements of the
UNT Core Curriculum may be included in the Occupational Specialization.
4. Other Course Requirements: Minimum of 12 hours of natural sciences in at least two
different fields.
5. Electives: Sufficient electives may be selected, with the approval of the academic adviser, to fulfill
the 128-hour requirement for the degree.
6. Other Requirements: 24 of the last 30 hours must be taken at UNT.
Dual Major: A dual major in social work and applied gerontology is available. For further
information, consult an adviser in the Department of Applied Gerontology or the Department of Rehabilitation,
Social Work and Addictions.
Minor in Applied Gerontology
Undergraduate students majoring in such compatible fields as social and behavioral sciences,
merchandising and hospitality management, recreation or administration may develop a multidisciplinary minor
(18 semester hours) in applied gerontology in consultation with an adviser. AGER 3480, 4550 and 4780
are required for the minor.
The department offers the Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees with majors in administration
of long-term care and retirement facilities, administration of aging organizations and applied
gerontology. Graduate courses in aging are open to students in master's and doctoral programs in related fields.
For information, consult the Graduate Catalog.
A certificate program is available for those desiring credentials in the field of aging. Fifteen
semester hours of graduate-level courses in aging must be completed to qualify for the certificate.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The "Course and Subject Guide," found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as
a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
Major in Applied Gerontology
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all
course prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course
options. **See an adviser in the Office of Student Services for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Natural Sciences** 4
Wellness* 3
Total 16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
Communication* 3
Operational Specialization 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Natural Sciences** 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
AGER 2250, Images of Aging in Film and Literature (may be used to satisfy Humanities
requirement*) 3
ENGL 1320, College Writing II* 3
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
Natural Sciences** 4
Total 16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Humanities* 3
Mathematics* 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Professional Development Area II 3
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 18
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
AGER 3480, Psychology of Adult Development and Aging 3
AGER 4550, Sociology of Aging 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Professional Development Area II 3
Professional Development Area II 3
Total 18
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
AGER 4780, Aging Programs and Services 3
Elective 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Professional Development Area III 3
Professional Development Area III 3
Total 15
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
AGER 4020, Psychology of Death and Dying 3
AGER 4700, Women in Later Life 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Occupational Specialization 3
Professional Development Area II 3
Professional Development Area III 3
Total 18
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
AGER 4840, Studies in Aging Field Practicum 3
AGER 4850, Studies in Aging Field Practicum 3
Elective 3
Professional Development Area III 3
Total 12
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.
Some courses may require prerequisites not listed in the above plan.