Minor in Aging Studies

Minor

Aging Studies

On Campus

The aging studies minor familiarizes you with one of our society’s most prevalent issues: the dramatic increase in its aging population. Interdisciplinary courses teach you about the many dimensions of the aging process, and help you to understand the range of social, psychological and physiological issues facing our country’s advanced-age population.

A student speaks with two senior citizens during a technology workshop

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Program Overview

In the Minor in Aging Studies program, you’ll gain the skills to interpret and perform statistical analysis and research, as well as learn about the variety of programs, products, services and other resources available to older adults. The study of aging complements a range of majors, including law, sociology and psychology. Whether your primary interest includes the direct care of seniors, or the legislature that protects them, a variety of electives enable you to focus on an area most related to your goals. The aging studies minor opens the door to future volunteering opportunities, or to careers dedicated to making a direct, positive impact on the lives of the elderly and their families.

In Our Community

An older man and older women with a student looking at a book — The Legacy Project is a program designed to enable individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias to have their life stories written and preserved by trained student volunteers. Jessica Leach ’22, MOT ’24 worked with Bob Savage, a resident of LiveWell Dementia Specialists facility, to preserve his life story.

Close up of the poem “They” by Bob Savage — After conducting several interview and recording Bob's rich life, Jessica presented him with his Legacy book. This experience allows student volunteers to gain the valuable experience of interacting with older adults which positively impacts their future thoughts and beliefs about dementia when encountering it professionally.

A student helping an older woman work an iPhone — Quinnipiac occupational therapy students recently held a 3 session training for older adults at the North Haven Senior Center to show them how to use their phones and tablets to take photos.

Close up of an email being sent on an iPhone — The session included how to take selfies and how to send photos. The training culminated with an art show to showcase the older adults' work.

A close up of the Bobcat Stride branded bags — Quinnipiac recently kicked off a new community initiative called Bobcat Stride on the North Haven Campus. The initiative provides our local senior community members with a safe, warm place to exercise during the cold winter months.

A group of older adults walking through a hallway — The quarter-mile walking route is mapped out on the second floor of the Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. The program runs 6-8 am on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and is free to members of the public 50 years and older.

Aging Studies Minor Curriculum

Program Contact: Catherine Richards Solomon 203-582-5264

Aging Studies familiarizes you with one of our society’s most important topics: the dramatic increase in its aging population. Interdisciplinary courses teach you about the many dimensions of the aging process and help you to understand the range of economic, occupational, physiological, psychological and social issues facing our country’s advanced-age population. You’ll also learn about the variety of programs, products, services and other resources available to older adults.

Aging Studies complements a range of majors, such as criminal justice, finance, health sciences, law, marketing and nursing. Whether your future career will include directly working with seniors as medical patients, helping people plan for retirement, marketing goods and services to an older audience or helping seniors avoid financial scams and fraud, our electives will educate you about the unique issues that older Americans face. This minor will enhance your future career and will help you make a positive impact on the lives of the elderly individuals and their families.

To complete the minor in Aging Studies, students must complete:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
GT 263	Aging in Society	3
Nine Credits of Electives		9
GT 211	Introduction to Social Work
GT 220	Special Topics in Gerontology
GT 270	Community Program Development
GT 300	Special Topics in Gerontology
GT 305	Sociology of Death and Dying
GT 315	Social Work Case Management
SO 101	Introduction to Sociology
SO 280	Sociology of Health and Illness
Six Credits of Cognate Courses		6
BMS 200	Biomedical Basis and Experience of Human Aging
PS 234	Adult Development & Aging
SO 241	Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
SO 244	Race, Gender and Class: Social Inequalities
SO 255	Sociology of Families
SO 360	Sociology of Mental Health
Total Credits		18

Contact Us

Catherine Richards Solomon

Professor of Sociology

Concentration Director

Director of Gerontology

Sociology

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