Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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It is the study of the social, psychological and physical aspects of aging and the effects of our aging population on society.

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Many former students have stated that their careers and job opportunities were enhanced by their gerontology training. A secondary major or minor provides extra credentials for employment by supplementing your knowledge base within your chosen career path. Americans are now living longer due to technological advances. They are also a heterogeneous group with a wide range of needs and interests. There are almost unlimited possibilities for individuals to work not only in the field of healthcare and retirement planning, but also in the delivery of new products and services. Having a background in gerontology may provide job opportunities in the areas of financial/legal services, leisure/travel/hospitality, fitness/wellness, advocacy, marketing and product development, counseling, program planning and evaluation, architectural/environmental services and more. Want to work with the older population but not sure how? Look at the requirements for the secondary major in gerontology, the long term care administration program or the minor in gerontology.

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A secondary major requires more hours than a minor, but less hours than a double major. It allows you to get an area of specialization within your preferred area of study and is typically more interdisciplinary than a minor. Most students find it enhances their job opportunities after college. If a student is applying for medical school or additional degrees after their Bachelors degree, they find it gives them an edge in the application process. The Secondary Major in Gerontology at Kansas State University requires a total of 24 credit hours which may overlap with courses taken for the students' primary major. The secondary major may not be completed as a stand-alone program.

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Available since June 2020, a 15-credit minor in gerontology is now available. It includes 6 credit hours of required courses and 9 hours of electives taken from our list of approved courses.

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The required courses and some of the elective courses are offered online at least once per year, depending on the specific course. With careful planning, a student should be able to complete the program entirely online.

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Students should email or call the gerontology advisor at 785-532-5945 specifying whether they want to add the minor or the secondary major. The advisor will send an electronic request to the Registrars office for the chosen gerontology program to be added to the students' record.

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Some of the courses that count as gerontology electives and are offered by other departments on campus will have prerequisites. Some instructors will waive prerequisites for gerontology students. For more specific information you can check the course catalog for information about a class or you can contact the gerontology advisor.

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Yes, students may use a course to count for both their major and the secondary major or minor. For example, sometimes the gerontology courses can be used as professional or unrestricted electives for their primary major or can also count as K-State 8 requirements.

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An advisor in the Center on Aging will work with students to finish required coursework and will certify graduation requirements have been met. Call the Center on Aging at 785-532-5945 or email to set up an appointment.

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No, this is an interdisciplinary program. Students may be in any college and any degree program at Kansas State University. Some majors will naturally have more overlap of course requirements than others. However there are no restrictions on who can declare the Secondary Major or Minor in gerontology, as long as they are in an undergraduate degree program.

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Students must complete an undergraduate degree at Kansas State University concurrently with the secondary major in gerontology. It cannot be taken as an individual program and then recognized on a student transcript if the student already has received a Bachelors degree from KSU. The minor in gerontology may be completed separate from an undergraduate program, on a stand alone basis.

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You could do this, but it is best to declare this option as early as you can so that the gerontology advisor can oversee your coursework to ensure you complete all requirements. Additionally, once you declare gerontology you will start receiving electronic student communications which include career information, announcements of upcoming events or activities, new classes being offered, part time job opportunities and other activities that you may want to join.

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No. The Secondary Major or Minor is for undergraduate students and the courses completed must be taken for undergraduate credit. Students may be interested in the online Graduate Certificate in Gerontology or online Master's in Gerontology offered by Kansas State University after completion of their bachelor's degree.

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Yes. Up to six credit hours can be transferred into the gerontology program with the approval of the gerontology advisor. More information is available in the course catalog.

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The gerontology advisor and the Center on Aging director will review course information to determine whether it may be used in the program. The Center on Aging will usually require a copy of the course syllabus as well as information on textbooks used, and may also contact the course instructor in order to assess the gerontology content of the class.

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It may be possible to use an internship to count toward gerontology studies requirements. Students must talk to the gerontology advisor or program director in advance of an internship to see if that is possible.

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Many students find it is helpful to have an internship experience specific to gerontology on their transcript and resume when they begin to apply for jobs or to additional schools after graduation. Alumni comments indicate that employers like to see this type of experience, and students feel that they gained real world experience during the internship. For more information on course requirements, credit hours and possible placement sites, please contact the gerontology advisor. Gerontology internships must be arranged prior to the start of the semester in which the student is enrolled in the course. Enrollment in the variable credit gerontology internship course is by permission only.

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The required courses as well as any course with a GERON prefix are taught by Center on Aging instructors. Elective courses are taught by faculty in departments across the university who have an interest in aging-related issues within their areas of expertise. See more information about these faculty members.

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Minors and Secondary Majors are not listed on the student diploma. It will be listed on the student transcript. Students must apply for graduation for both their primary major and their secondary major or minor in KSIS during their last semester at K-State. The gerontology advisor will then review the applications for graduation and approve them in KSIS so that they become a part of the student's academic records.

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Questions about the Gerontology program at Kansas State University should be directed to:

Center on Aging
253 Justin Hall
1324 Lovers Lane
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-3501
785-532-5945
gerontology@k-state.edu