Family and Child Studies
Coordinator: Dr. Christine Price
Office: University Hall, Room 4028
Phone Number: (973) 655-3358
Email: pricech@mail.montclair.edu
Overview:
The minor in gerontology
provides a program of study for undergraduate students who want to
learn about the complex health, social, economic, environmental,
psychological, transportation, housing, spiritual, intergenerational,
recreational and aesthetic needs of older adults, their families and
caregivers. At a time when close to one out of seven Americans is 65 or
older, there is an increasing need for professionals in family studies,
sociology, biology, psychology, health, adult fitness and recreation,
anthropology, ethics, philosophy, business, tourism, legal studies,
financial planning, accounting, music therapy and the arts to be
trained to work in multiple contexts with a diverse population of
senior citizens and their families. This multidisciplinary minor in
gerontology is appropriate for students from most majors and challenges
students to think critically about various aspects of healthy adult
development and elderhood. The minor is distinctive in that it includes
several service-learning courses which integrate academic coursework
with "hands on" learning opportunities in a variety of community-based
organizations.
Many of these organizations have had long-term
partnerships with Montclair State University, its students, faculty and
staff who have collaborated to increase the quality and quantity of
assets and services for older adults in the surrounding community. The
minor also requires a part time, supervised internship in an
organization that works with older adults. These service-learning and
internship experiences enable students to clarify career goals and/or
provide background knowledge for working with elders in a variety of
community-based service, public, private and non-profit settings. The
employment outlook for students with some background in gerontology,
whether their career interests are in business, finance, law, health,
entertainment, recreation, travel, housing, family studies, counseling,
etc., will only increase for the foreseeable future. One course in the
minor meets a general education requirement and other courses may also
meet a major requirement, a fact important to students who want to have
a minor and still graduate on time.
Course Requirements:
The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2012. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.
| Multidisciplinary Minor Requirements |
| Required Courses |
|
12 |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| FCST 201 |
Introduction to Social Gerontology |
3 |
| FCST 305 |
Death and Bereavement in the Family |
3 |
| FCST 325 |
Adult Development and Aging |
3 |
| FCST 340 |
Aging and Social Policy |
3 |
| FCST 360 |
Families in Later Life |
3 |
| |
| Choose one (1) of the following courses |
3 |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| HLTH 440 |
Health Aspects of Aging |
3 |
| PEMJ 340 |
Fitness and the Aging Process |
3 |
| SOCI 309 |
Sociology of Health and Illness |
3 |
| |
| PROGRAM TOTAL: 18 credits |
| |
| Advisement Notes |
| If you have elective credits, and want to enhance your gerontology background, the following courses are recommended (Not required) |
|
| |
|
|
| ANTH 350 |
Anthropology of Aging and the Aged |
3 |
| MUTH 100 |
Introduction to Music Therapy |
2 |
| PALG 322 |
Wills/Trust/Probate Law |
3 |
| PALG 413 |
Elder Law |
3 |
| PSYC 268 |
Psychological Aspects of Aging |
3 |
| PSYC 302 |
Health Psychology (Service-Learning section) |
3 |
| |
|
|
|
|
