Bachelor’s in Gerontology Program Guide

The Urban Institute projects that between 2000 and 2040, the number of Americans 85 or older will quadruple. As this population typically requires significant healthcare, social services, and advocacy, the demand for gerontologists should mirror these demographic shifts.

A bachelor’s degree in gerontology prepares learners to address the mental, physical, and social needs of an aging population. Graduates can pursue careers in growing fields like social work, healthcare administration, and occupational therapy.

A bachelor’s degree in gerontology provides students with the theoretical and practical skills needed to advocate for aging people. Learners hone the communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills needed for successful careers in gerontology.

Degree-seekers also gain widely applicable health-related instruction in addition to completing general education coursework. As a result, students can pursue a broad spectrum of career opportunities. Typical careers for gerontology graduates include social work, mental health, health services administration.

Between 2019 and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects significant job growth in social work (13%) and occupational therapy (16%). An aging baby-boom generation means that gerontology professionals should remain in high demand for the foreseeable future.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in gerontology must typically complete 120 credits. In addition to general education coursework, students complete core gerontology classes like biology of aging, psychology of adult development and aging, and working with minority elderly.

In addition to traditional coursework, degree-seekers typically complete a gerontology practicum in a professional setting. This fieldwork requirement provides learners with over 100 hours of in-person experiential learning, an irreplaceable introduction to the field’s professional responsibilities.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in gerontology can apply their specialized training within many career paths.

Additionally, this degree can lead to many professional certificates and master’s programs. Students often pursue certifications, such as gerontological specialist, advanced aging life care, and certified hospice and palliative social work. Read on to learn more about popular careers and how graduates can elevate their degrees.

While salaries vary among specific careers, a bachelor’s degree in gerontology leads to expanded career options and higher pay. According to the BLS, social and community services managers earn a median annual salary of $69,600. Additionally, social workers make a median income of $51,760 per year.