In recognition of the special needs of older adults in Central Florida, the University offers an 18-credit hour interdisciplinary program leading to a Minor in Aging Studies. The minor is open to all students in any major. This minor prepares students for careers in applied gerontology, research, public service or for graduate training. Courses focus on the physiological, psychological, sociological, environmental, cultural, legal-ethical and public policy issues affecting older adults. Students majoring in health professions, biomedical sciences, criminal justice and legal studies, hospitality management, psychology, social work, nursing, sociology, business, exercise science, physical education, communication sciences and disorders or education find study of the aging process especially helpful.
Minor Requirements
- A required 120-hour internship, along with course options that include service-learning activities, complements the courses.
- Students select one of the internship courses listed below depending on their major. BSW majors must take the 9 credit hour field education course.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
6 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- GEY3001 - Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Overview (3)
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- HSA4850 - Health Services Administration Internship (1 - 99)
- IDS4947 - Internship (99)
- PSY3951 - Undergraduate Field Work (1 - 99)
- SOW4510 - Field Education (9)
- SOW4941 - Internship (1 - 99)
- Full-time social work majors ONLY, SOW 4510 cannot be used with SOW 4941. For part-time social work majors, SOW 4941 cannot be used with SOW 4510.
Restricted Electives
12 Total Credits
- Complete at least 4 of the following:
- SOW4645 - Social Services for the Elderly (3)
- SOW3740 - Social Work Practice with Loss & Life's Transitions (3)
- HSA4184 - Organization & Management for Health Agencies II (3)
- HSA3222 - Long Term Care and Administration (3)
- HSC4564 - Health Care Needs of the Elderly (3)
- PLA4530 - Legal Issues of the Elderly (3)
- NUR4286 - Gerontologic Nursing (3)
- DEP3464 - Psychology of Aging (3)
- SYP4730 - Aging in Society (3)
- SYP4732 - Minority Aging and Health (3)
- HFT3005 - Introduction to Lifestyle Community and Senior Living Industries (3)
Grand Total Credits: 18
Foreign Language Requirements
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 18Other Requirements
- A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) is required in each course used to satisfy the minor.
- At least 12 hours used in the minor must be earned at UCF within the program.
- No credit by exam (TSD, Military credit) may be used.
- Independent Study credit may not be used toward the minor.
