Program on Gerontology

Program on Gerontology

Comprehensive and collaborative. Since 1972.

The Program on Gerontology thrives with the participation of several of the university’s schools, colleges and departments, as well as support from private foundations and the National Council for Aging Care.

Forward thinking, compassionate and creative faculty offer multidisciplinary course work in gerontology to both undergraduate and graduate students alike and provide:

  • Preparation for work with older adults as a specialty within a professional area, such as human services, health care, counseling, nutrition, pharmacy and more
  • Preparation for careers in aging programs, such as in senior centers, area agencies on aging, long-term care facilities and others
  • General education for personal growth and understanding
  • Stimulation of faculty and student research in gerontology
  • Community and continuing education in gerontology
  • Students enrolled in the program represent many disciplines, including dietetics, kinesiology, housing, human development and family sciences, health administration, pharmacy, philosophy, public health, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, psychology, sociology and many more.

Gerontology courses meet many departmental requirements, including general education and social science requirements. Gerontology, as an area of emphasis, is integrated into undergraduate degree programs in human development and family sciences, kinesiology, and health administration.

Program Information

Gerontology Certificate Competencies

  • Translate and apply relevant theory and research to practice with aging individuals, their families, and communities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ecological contexts in which aging individuals and their families develop.
  • Demonstrate a value for diversity in practice with aging individuals, families and communities.
  • Critically evaluate public policy and practice with relevance to aging individual and family well-being.
  • Understand the methods by which public health identifies potential causes of population health status in later life, and identifies potential targets for intervention.
  • Describe the fundamental roles of public health and how those roles are operationalized in public health organization, funding, workforce, and regulations, especially as they apply to older individuals.  

Contact Information

The Program on Gerontology is located on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis.
The Director of the Program is Carolyn Aldwin, PhD
The program can be reached by phone at (541)737-2024
or at [email protected]