Gerontology (BS)
Gain knowledge and skills to improve the lives of older adults.
Gain knowledge and skills to improve the lives of older adults.
Are you driven by a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults? The Madonna University Bachelor of Science in Gerontology program features a rigorous curriculum which covers all aspects of aging, from the psychological changes that occur, to the social and cultural issues that older adults face. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and practicums in a variety of settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and community centers.
Plus, our program is offered both online and in the classroom, so you can earn your gerontology degree online from our experienced and dedicated faculty anywhere you have an internet connection.
Madonna University’s gerontology program exposes students to a wide range of new and exciting advances in the aging field. After completing our program, you’ll have the knowledge and skills you need to start a rewarding career in gerontology. Some career opportunities for graduates include:
See where our graduates work:
Here are just a few reasons why gerontology is a great career choice:
The program covers a wide range of topics including aging, population health, gerontology policy, and program development. Students will also gain experience in conducting research on aging-related issues. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academia. The program is a great opportunity for those who want to advance their career in the gerontology field, develop leadership skills, or increase their job prospects.
If you are ready to start your journey to becoming a gerontology professional, apply to Madonna University’s Bachelor of Science in Gerontology program today. We are here to help you succeed!
Keysha Barnes ’13 (gerontology) was not sure if aging studies was the right major
for her. Originally, she planned to study clinical lab science, but after researching
gerontology and meeting with Sue Anne Sweeney, professor and director of Madonna’s
aging studies program, Barnes was amazed at what was available to older adults. “With
my background in aging, I feel like I’m one step ahead of some of the people I work
with,” she said. A care transitions coach for The Senior Alliance-Area Agency on Aging
1-C, a nonprofit organization, Barnes works to educate older adults,
with disabilities, about what resources are available to them. She also helps empower
them with knowledge about their illness. Her Madonna education has made a tremendous
impact on her life, by preparing her to be professional and to handle certain situations.
“I like aging studies because I get to use it every day at work.
It was my calling because the people I come across know I’m here for them and their
families. It is not just a job to me,” she said. Currently Barnes is working on a
master’s degree in management.
The program is the only one of its kind nationally, and is delivered entirely online.
Associate Professor, Chair, Population Health and Aging
Graduate Program Director, MPH and MSSLA
Dr. Denise Brothers has been a faculty member of the Aging Studies Department since 2013. She holds a M.S. in Exercise and Health Studies and a Ph.D. in Social Gerontology, both from Miami University of Ohio. She also earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, School of Business Administration.
She teaches the introductory course in aging studies, psychology and aging, global aging, educational program planning, and programs and services for older adults. Her professional interests include understanding how race, class, and gender impact later-life outcomes, such as health, wealth, and social networks. Her research has included exploring how changing demographics and marital patterns are altering the ways in which older men and women are forming and maintaining new relationships in later life.
Earlier in her career, she assisted with a number of research projects on long-term care services and support in the state of Ohio. This research included a qualitative study on the experiences of consumers and caregivers receiving home-and-community based services as well as identifying current and future capacity needs for long-term care. She also engages in public scholarship through her participation on advisory groups within Michigan’s aging network.
