University of North Texas

Undergraduate Catalog 2005-2006 Bulletin

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Department of Applied Gerontology

Main Office Chilton Hall,
359 P.O. Box 310919
Denton, TX 76203-0919
(940) 565-2765
Fax: (940) 565-4370

Web site: www.unt.edu/aging

Richard A. Lusky, Chair

Faculty

Professors Eve, Ingman, Swan. Associate Professors Lusky, Turner.

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, with a major in applied gerontology;
• Master of Arts, and
• Master of Science, both with majors in administration long-term care, senior housing and aging services; and general studies in aging; and
• Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in applied gerontology.

Bachelor of Science

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 124 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 College of Public Affairs and Community Service requirements .

2. Major/Minor Requirements (Major, Minor, Career Development Area): Minimum of 30 hours in applied gerontology, minimum of 21 hours in a minor or occupational specialization area and minimum of 12 hours in a career development area.

Required Courses in Applied Gerontology

• 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 Additional Courses in Applied Gerontology:

• 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 the minor and career development area 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 career development areas. Specific courses are chosen with the approval of the academic adviser.

3. Electives: Sufficient electives may be selected, with the approval of the academic adviser, to fulfill the 124-hour requirement for the degree.

4. 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.

Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology

The undergraduate certificate in Applied Gerontology is designed for students who have completed an occupational specialization or an applied sciences program of study at a community college in fields such as nursing, patient care, human services, community health or social work. The certificate program combines these areas of study, thus maximizing transfer credits, with professional development courses in gerontology. Demand is high for trained geriatric specialists in many settings, including private, corporate, non-profit and government agencies. Completion of the certificate will ensure that students have the exposure and knowledge to work successfully in a range of positions. The program provides marketable skills that are attractive to prospective employers and can open windows of opportunity in the geriatric field.

Eligibility Requirements and Application

1. Completion of two years of college.

2. Admission to UNT through the Office of Admissions (Undergraduate), meeting regular UNT admission requirements.

3. $40 application fee.

4. Official copies of all transcripts provided to the Department of Applied Gerontology.

Requirements

The certificate requires completion of the following four classes: AGER 4500, 4550, 4750 and 4780.

For students who complete the certificate and then wish to pursue further studies in applied gerontology, courses for the certificate may be used to complete Component I in applied gerontology for the 45-hour Professional Development requirement under the BAAS program, or they may be applied to the BS degree with a major in applied gerontology. Both of these programs are in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.

Graduate Degrees

The department degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Graduate courses in aging are also open to students in master’s and doctoral programs in related fields. For further information, consult the Graduate Catalog.

Graduate Academic Certificate

A graduate academic certificate program, Specialist in Aging, 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.

Courses of Instruction

All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.

Course and Subject Guide

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.